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

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: Jordan is a landlocked coun-try on the eastern edge of the Dead Sea, which borders Israel and Palestine. While it has access to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aqaba, it does not have any coastline along the Mediterranean.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Syria has a strategic coastline along the Mediterranean Sea to its west. The coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus serve as vital trade and military hubs, with Tartus hosting a Russian naval facility. Syria’s Mediterranean coast provides it significant access to this international waterway. Lebanon boasts a stunning coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. Cities like Beirut and Tripoli are vital Mediterranean ports, with Beirut being a historical hub for trade and culture since ancient times. Lebanon’s position on the Mediterranean has made it a cultural crossroads between East and West with influences from the Phoenician, Greek, and Roman civilizations. Israel has a coast along the Mediterranean Sea with important cities like Tel Aviv and Haifa located there.

Explanation

Turkey is uniquely positioned between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea. The Black Sea lies to the north of Turkey, while the Mediterranean Sea lies to the south. The coun-try also controls the Bosphorus Strait and the Dardanelles, which are critical waterways connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean via the Sea of Marmara. It is a transcontinental country, meaning it spans two continents: Europe and Asia.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Turkey borders the Black Sea to the north but it does not border the Caspian Sea. The Caspian Sea is located further east, between countries like Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, and Azerbaijan. The Gulf of Suez is located in Egypt, near the Red Sea. It is part of the Suez Canal that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea. Turkey is not located near the Gulf of Suez. The Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea are located in the Middle East, near countries like Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. Turkey does not share border with either of these bodies of water.

Explanation

Option (c) is correct: The correct sequence of cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north would be Jakarta>Singapore>Bangkok>Hanoi. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia and is located on the island of Java approximately at 6.2°S (south of the equator). It is the southernmost city among the four listed. Singapore is a city-state located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula at approximately 1.3°N (just north of the equator). It is north of Jakarta. Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and is located in the central part of the country at approximately 13.8°N. It is north of Singapore and Jakarta. Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and is located in the northern part of the country. At approximately 21.0°N. It is the northernmost city among the four listed.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct:

Atlas Mountain: The Maghreb, often referred to as Northwest Africa, the Greater Maghreb, and historically as the Barbary Coast, is where the Atlas Mountains is situated. The Atlas Mountains divide the Sahara Desert from the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. The highest point of this mountain range, Toubkal (4167 m), is found in Morocco. The mountains are found in Algeria and Tunisia in addition to Morocco. The Atlas Mountains are home to populations of Berber people.

Option (a), (c) and (d) are incorrect:

Abyssinian Plateau: The Ethiopian Plateau is also referred to as Altipiano Etiopico, Amhara Plateau, Ethiopian Massif, and Ethiopian Plateau. The Abyssinian Plateau was formerly known as Ethiopia, hence the name. The Blue Nile, which emerges from Lake Tana, is the most notable river to cross the plateau. Okavango Basin: The Okavango Basin is situated in southwest Africa comprising Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Angola, and other countries. Whilst, Patagonia refers to a geographical region that encompasses the southern end of South America, governed by Argentina and Chile. Guiana Highlands: In South America, the Guiana Highlands are situated in the south of the Orinoco River and north of the Amazon River. Parts of Venezuela, the Guianas, Brazil, and Colombia are included in the Guiana Highlands. Mount Roraima, located in the Guiana Highlands, has the highest elevation (2772 m).

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The broadening (not Deepening) of the Malacca straits between Malaysia and Indonesia will reduce the navigation time and distance. The Malacca Strait is situated between Malaysia and Indonesia and is one of the main shipping lanes. The narrow waterway creates a chokepoint between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.

Statement 2 is correct: Opening a new canal across the Kra isthmus between the Gulf of Siam and the Andaman Sea can reduce the navigation time and distance. Kra isthmus is the narrowest part of the Malay Peninsula. It is bordered to the west by the Andaman Sea and to the east by the Gulf of Thailand.

Explanation

Option (d) is correct: Singapore is located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula at the entrance to the Strait of Malacca. It is one of the key landmarks along this waterway and serves as a critical port in the region.

Option (a), (b) and (c) are incorrect:

Bali is an Indonesian island located to the southeast of Java. It is not directly in the path of the Strait of Malacca. Brunei is located on the island of Borneo. It is far to the east of the Strait of Malacca, and is not near the strait. Java is an island of Indonesia located to the south of the Strait of Malacca. It lies relatively close to the Strait but it is not directly within the strait.

Explanation

The Tropic of Capricorn is situated at approximately 23°27 south of the Equator. It marks the southernmost latitude where the Sun can be directly overhead during the December solstice. This significant line traverses ten countries across three continents: South America, Africa, and Australia. South America: Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina and Chile. Africa: Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Mozambique and Madagascar. Australia

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: Berlin is located in Germany, and it is situated on the Spree River, not the Rhine. The Rhine River flows through several European countries, including Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: London - Thames The River Thames flows through London, the capital of the United Kingdom. It has historically played a crucial role in the city’s devel-opment.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: New York City is located on the Hudson River. The Hudson flows primarily through the state of New York, including New York City and it is an essential river for the region.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: Vienna, the capital of Austria is situated along the Danube River. The Danube flows through many countries in Europe, including Austria, and passes through Vienna.

Explanation

A is correctly matched with 1: The Great Victoria Desert is a large desert in Australia located in the southern part of the country. It is primarily located in Western Australia and South Australia. It is characterized by sand dunes, gibber plains, and salt lakes. The desert is home to Indigenous groups such as the Kogara, Mirning, and Pitjantjatjara peoples. The region supports diverse flora like Eucalyptus species and Acacia shrubs, and fauna including emus, red kangaroos, and various lizard species. B is correctly matched with 4: The Grand Canyon is a massive, iconic canyon carved by the Colorado River in the USA. It is located in the state of Arizona. It is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. C is correctly matched with 2: Lake Winnipeg is a large lake in the province of Manitoba in Canada. It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in the world. It is a vital water source for the surrounding areas and is historically significant for Indigenous communities. D is correctly matched with 3: The Southern Alps are a major mountain range in New Zealand, stretching along the South Island. The highest peak in the Southern Alps is Mount Cook (Aoraki), making it the tallest mountain in New Zealand.

Explanation

Cape Canaveral, also called Cape Kennedy, is a major spaceport on Florida’s east coast. It serves as the primary launch site for U.S. space missions. It was established in 1949 as a missile testing site, Cape Canaveral has played a crucial role in space exploration, evolving into a key launch site. Being positioned on a barrier island along Florida’s east coast, its coastal setting offers ideal conditions for launching spacecraft into orbit. While Virginia has NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, it is not used for space shuttle launches. North Carolina and South Carolina also lack any major spaceport like Cape Canaveral.