Places and Locations: World Geography: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Geography)

Explanation

If an observer sees the stars rising perpendicular to the horizon, they are positioned at the equator. At the Earth’s equator, stars appear to rise straight up from the eastern horizon, move directly overhead, and set in the west. This occurs because the Earth’s rotational axis is perpendicular to the observer’s horizon at this location. The celestial equator, which is an imaginary extension of Earth’s equator into space, perfectly aligns with the observer’s horizon. As a result, stars follow a vertical trajectory as they rise and set. In contrast, at other latitudes, such as the Tropic of Cancer, the North Pole, or the South Pole, stars rise and set at different angles due to the observer’s varying position on the globe and the tilt of the Earth.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: Australia is home to a wide variety of marsupials, including kangaroos, koalas, wombats, and tasmanian devils. About 70% of all marsupial species are found in Australia. Options (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

South America does have a few marsupials, such as the opossum, but the diversity and number of marsupial species are far greater in Australia. Africa, and South East Asia do not have significant populations of marsupials. Marsupials are rare or absent in these regions.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 4: The Fohn is a warm, dry, downslope wind that occurs in the Alps. It’s a katabatic wind, meaning it’s created by air descending from a higher elevation. As air is forced up the windward side of a mountain range, it cools and condenses, losing its moisture as precipitation. The now dry air continues over the mountain crest and descends on the leeward side. As it descends, it compresses and warms, often significantly. This results in a sudden rise in temperature and a decrease in humidity on the leeward side, creating the characteristic Fohn wind. These winds can have a significant impact on local weather, causing rapid snowmelt, increasing the risk of avalanches, and even influencing vegetation patterns. B is correctly matched with 2: The Sarmun is a hot, dry, and dusty wind that blows in the Kurdistan region, particularly in northern Iraq and parts of Iran. It’s a type of desert wind, of-ten associated with low-pressure systems. These winds can carry large amounts of dust and sand, reducing visibility and causing discomfort. They are most common during the summer months and can lead to significant temperature increases and dry conditions, impacting agriculture and water resources. The Sarmun is similar to other regional desert winds like the Khamsin in Egypt or the Sirocco in the Mediterranean, although its specific characteristics and regional impact are unique to the Kurdistan area. C is correctly matched with 3: The Santa Ana winds are strong, dry, and warm winds that blow in Southern California. They originate from high-pressure systems over the Great Basin region and flow southwestward towards the coast. As the air descends from the higher elevations of the mountains surrounding Southern California, it compresses and warms, becoming very dry. These winds are channeled through canyons and mountain passes, increasing their speed and intensity. Santa Ana winds are known for their ability to rapidly increase fire danger, as they create extremely dry conditions and can quickly spread wildfires. They are most common in the fall and winter months and can also cause power outages and damage to property. D is correctly matched with 1: The Zonda is a dry and dusty wind that affects the western slopes of the Andes Mountains in Argentina. Similar to the Fohn, it’s a katabatic wind. Moist air is forced up the eastern slopes of the Andes, where it cools and releases its moisture. The dry air then descends on the western side, warming as it compresses. The Zonda is characterized by its hot and dry nature, often carrying dust and sand from the high-altitude deserts. It can cause significant temperature fluctuations and reduce visibility. These winds are most prevalent during the winter months and can have a significant impact on agriculture and local weather patterns in the affected regions of Argentina.