UPSC 2002 Geography Questions with Answers

Explanation

A mangrove is a unique ecosystem of salt-tolerant trees and shrubs that grow in tropical and subtropical coastal intertidal zones. These plants have specialized roots (e.g., stilt roots or pneumatophores) to survive in saline, waterlogged conditions. Mangroves provide critical habitats for marine life, protect coastlines from erosion, and act as carbon sinks.

Option (d) is the correct:

A is matched with 4: Achra Ratnagiri is a mangrove region located in Maharashtra state. B is matched with 1: Coondapur, also known as Kundapura, is a mangrove region situated in the state of Karnataka. C is matched with 5: Pichavaram is a famous mangrove forest located in Tamil Nadu. D is matched with 2: Vembanad is a lagoon and mangrove area in Kerala.

Explanation

The Subarnarekha River originates in Jharkhand’s Chota Nagpur Plateau. It flows through West Bengal and Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. Also known as the "Golden Line" due to historical traces of gold in its sands. It is one of the smallest east-flowing rivers. The Mahanadi originates from Sihawa Hills in Chhattisgarh and flows through Odisha before meeting the Bay of Bengal. The Hirakud Dam, one of the longest dams in the world, is built on this river. The Godavari River, called "Dakshina Ganga" from Trimbak Plateau in Maharashtra and flows through Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha before emptying into the Bay of Bengal. It is the longest river of Peninsular India. The Krishna River originates from Mahabaleshwar (Maharashtra) and flows through Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal. It is the second-longest river in Peninsular India after the Godavari. The Pennar River originates from Nandi Hills in Karnataka and flows through Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu before joining the Bay of Bengal. The Cauvery River originates from Talakaveri in Karnataka and flows through Tamil Nadu before reaching the Bay of Bengal. The Vaigai River originates from the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and flows into the Palk Strait near the Bay of Bengal. The Madurai Meenakshi Temple is situated on the banks of Vaigai. Therefore, the correct sequence from north to south is Subarnarekha, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Cauvery, and Vagai.

Explanation

Options 1, 2 and 3 are correct: The Adriatic Sea separates the Italian Peninsula from the Balkan Peninsula. Among the given options, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia have coastlines along this sea. Option 4 is incorrect: Macedonia, now known as North Macedonia, does not have coastlines along the Adriatic Sea. It is a landlocked country located to the east of Albania. North Macedonia shares borders with four countries: Greece to the south, Albania to the west, Bulgaria to the east, and Kosovo and Serbia to the north.