Geographical Sobriquets

Total Questions: 21

11. Which city of Turkey is known as the 'Gateway to the West'? [U.P.P.C.S. (GIC) 2010. U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

(a) Adana
(b) Ankara
(c) Istanbul
(d) Izmir

Correct Answer: (c) Istanbul

Solution:Istanbul is located in the peninsular area of Turkey whose three sides are surrounded by Marmara Sea, Bosporus Straits and Golden Horn. It is also known as the Gateway to the West. Istanbul is known as the Gateway to the West. Istanbul's historical core, known as the "Historical Peninsula," is situated on a landmass surrounded by water on three sides. To the south, the Sea of Marmara, a small inland sea, forms a natural boundary.

The Bosphorus Strait, a waterway that connects the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara, separates the European part of Istanbul from its Asian part. The Golden Horn, a natural harbor, separates the old city (Suriçi) from the modern city of Beyoğlu. This location has historically made Istanbul a vital trade and defense hub, as it controls access between Europe and Asia. Istanbul is one of the few cities in the world that straddles two continents, with parts of the city located in both Europe and Asia.

12. Which country is called "Land of White Elephants"? [Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Mains) 2006]

(a) China
(b) Thailand
(c) South Africa
(d) South Korea

Correct Answer: (b) Thailand

Solution:Thailand is also known as the "land of white elephants". The white elephant is considered holy in Thailand. In Thai culture, white elephants are not just animals; they represent strength, fertility, knowledge, and power, as well as royal status and good fortune. The association of white elephants with royalty and power is deeply rooted in Thai history and traditions. It's important to note that "white elephants" are not a distinct species of elephant. They are simply elephants with unusually light skin, and their rarity and perceived auspiciousness contribute to their symbolic importance. Any white elephant found in Thailand is traditionally presented to the King. Thailand is also known as the "Land of Smiles".

13. Which country is famous by the name of the land of the rising sun? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1991. M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1990]

(a) Norway
(b) Japan
(c) Britain
(d) Finland

Correct Answer: (b) Japan

Solution:Japanese also call their country as Nippon which means the land of rising sun. Thus, Japan is also known as the land of the rising sun.

14. Which of the following countries is called 'Garden of Lakes'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

(a) Poland
(b) Finland
(c) Netherlands
(d) Switzerland

Correct Answer: (b) Finland

Solution:Finland is also called 'the Garden of Lakes' or Land of Thousand Lakes. More than one lakh lakes are found in Finland. Venice is situated on an archipelago of 118 small islands within the Venetian Lagoon, a shallow body of water in northeastern Italy. The city is characterized by a complex network of canals that serve as the primary waterways, replacing traditional roads. These canals are spanned by over 400 bridges, connecting the islands and allowing access to different parts of the city. Venice is also known as "La Serenissima" (The Most Serene), "Floating City," and "Queen of the Adriatic".

15. Which of the following cities is known as the 'city of canals'? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]

(a) Amsterdam
(b) Rome
(c) Venice
(d) Athens

Correct Answer: (c) Venice

Solution:Venice is known as the city of canals. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. It is also known as the 'Queen of the Adriatic'.

16. Which one of the following is known as the city of the golden gate? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

(a) Paris
(b) Amsterdam
(c) Mumbai
(d) San Francisco

Correct Answer: (d) San Francisco

Solution:Golden gate bridge is located in San Francisco city and connects both ends of San Francisco Bay. Therefore, San Francisco is known as the 'city of the golden gate'.

17. Which of the following cities is called 'Manchester of East'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2014]

(a) Nagoya
(b) Tokyo
(c) Sendai
(d) Osaka

Correct Answer: (d) Osaka

Solution:Osaka (Japan) is called 'Manchester of East'. Osaka city is located in the Kansai region of Japan. It is the capital city of Osaka province. Historically the trade city Osaka is also famous by the name of 'Nation's Kitchen'.

18. Which one of the following is called the 'Pearl of Siberia'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Baikal Lake
(b) Great Bear Lake
(c) Karda Lake
(d) Lincanbur Lake

Correct Answer: (a) Baikal Lake

Solution:Lake Baikal is the world's oldest and deepest freshwater lake. Lake Baikal is called "Pearl of Siberia". Lake Baikal is a rift lake located in southern Siberia, Russia. It is the largest freshwater lake by volume in the world, containing 22 to 23% of the world's fresh surface water. It is the seventh-largest lake in the world by surface area. It is the world's oldest (25-30 million years) and deepest lake. It has a long, crescent shape. The region to the east of Lake Baikal is referred to as Transbaikalia or as the Trans baikal. The loosely defined region around the lake itself is sometimes known as Baikalia. UNESCO declared Lake Baikal a World Heritage Site in 1996.

19. Which one of the following is called the 'Land of Morning calm'? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Philippines
(b) Japan
(c) Taiwan
(d) Korea

Correct Answer: (d) Korea

Solution:South Korea is called 'Land of Morning Calm' because of its spell-binding natural beauty, high mountains, clear waters and its splendid tranquillity, particularly in the morning.

20. Which of the following cities is known as the oil capital of Europe? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2017]

(a) Belfast
(b) Aberdeen
(c) Leeds
(d) Liverpool

Correct Answer: (b) Aberdeen

Solution:Aberdeen is often referred to as the Oil Capital of Europe. The petroleum industry in Aberdeen grew with the discovery of significant oil deposits in the North Sea in the mid-Nineteenth century.

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