The important Dams of the World

1. Itaipu Dam built on the river Parana is one of the largest dams in the world. Which of the following two countries have it as a joint project? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]

(a) Brazil and Peru
(b) Paraguay and Ecuador
(c) Brazil and Paraguay
(d) Colombia and Paraguay

Correct Answer: (c) Brazil and Paraguay

Solution:Itaipu Dam is a joint venture between Brazil and Paraguay (both South American countries) at Itaipu of Brazil and Paraguay border on the Parana river. The dam is 196 metre Jugh and 7919 metre long

2. World's longest sea bridge has been built on - [U.P. Lower Sub.(Pre) 2009]

(a) East China Sea
(b) Gulf of Tonkin
(c) Jiaozhou Bay
(d) South China Sea

Correct Answer: (c) Jiaozhou Bay

Solution:The one of the world's longest cross-sea bridge is built over Jiaozhou Bay. The bridge spans 41.58 km and connects the eastern coastal city of Qingdao to the suburb of Huangdao. It was opened to traffic on 30 June, 2011.

3. Kariba dam has been built on the river: [U.P.R.O/A.R.O. (Pre) 2016]

(a) Kafue
(b) Zambezi
(c) Chambeshi
(d) Kabompo

Correct Answer: (b) Zambezi

Solution:Kariba dam, one of the largest dams of the world, is located on Zambezi River on Zambia Zimbabwe border. The Kariba Dam is situated in the Kariba Gorge of the Zambezi River basin, on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. It's a double-curvature concrete arch dam. The dam is 128 meters (420 feet) high and 579 meters (1,900 feet) long.

The dam creates Lake Kariba, a large man-made reservoir with a capacity of 180.6 billion cubic meters. The dam's primary function is to generate electricity for both Zambia and Zimbabwe. Construction of the dam began in 1956 and was completed in 1959. The dam's creation involved the resettlement of people and the evacuation of wildlife. Lake Kariba is also an important tourist destination and supports commercial fishing.

4. The Aswan High Dam is located- [Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]

(a) Sudan
(b) Egypt
(c) Zaire
(d) Nigeria

Correct Answer: (b) Egypt

Solution:The Aswan High dam is located in Egypt of the African Continent. It is built on the River Nile. Its water is used for irrigation of crops, and to generate hydroelectric power. Its construction was started in 1960

5. The place where China has started construction of a dam on Brahmaputra River in Nov. 2010, is [U.P.P.C.S.(Pre) 2013]

(a) Chingdu
(b) Zangmu
(c) Zhuang
(d) Gyangze

Correct Answer: (b) Zangmu

Solution:The Zangmu Dam is a gravity dam on the Yarlung Zangbo Brahmaputra River in Tibet. The dam is apprehended to reduce the flow of the Brahmaputra river. India and Bangladesh are concerned that the dam could reduce water flow downstream, potentially impacting agriculture, water availability, and livelihoods. The dam's construction and operation could also have significant ecological consequences in the region.

The project has become a point of contention in India-China relations, with India expressing concerns about the need for transparency and consultation with downstream states. China has stated that the project aims to develop clean energy and address climate change, and that it will not negatively affect the lower reaches of the river.

6. Which of the following is not correctly matched? [U.P.P.C.S.(PRE) 2016 (RE.EXAM) 2015]

Dams	Rivers
(a) Grand Coulee	Columbia
(b) Hoover	Tennessee
(c) Nurek	Vakhsh
(d) Cahora (Cobbora) Bassa	Zambezi

Correct Answer: (b)

Solution:The Hoover Dam, also known as the Boulder Dam, is a concrete arch-gravity dam located in the Black Canyon of the Colorado River on the border of the U.S. states of Nevada and Arizona. Thus, option (b) is not correctly matched.

7. Mediterranean climate is not found in which among the following town? [Uttarakhand U.D.A/L.D.A. (Pre) 2003]

(a) Los Angeles
(b) Rome
(c) Cape town
(d) New York

Correct Answer: (d) New York

Solution:Mediterranean climate extends 30°-40° latitudes around the Mediterranean Sea and is experienced in the western parts of continents besides Rome.

South California, Los Angeles in North America, Central Chile in South America, Cape Town in South Africa & South Australia..

Thus, it is clear that New York, located on the east coast of the USA does not fall under the Mediterranean climate.