The Ports and Harbours

11. With reference to Rhine river in Europe, which of the following statements is / are correct? [U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2021]

(1) Rhine river is an important pathway for industrial activity in Northern Germany.

(2) Port of Rotterdam is located at the mouth of Rhine river.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Code:

(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Solution:In recent years receding water levels in Rhine threaten German economy as about 300 million tons of goods and products shipped from Rhine each year. Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands), the largest seaport in Europe is located at the mouth of Rhine river.

The Rhine originates in Swiss Alps (Switzerland), passes through French border to Germany and empties into the North Sea via Netherlands.

12. Which one of the following is now the second biggest port in the world? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2004]

(a) Capetown
(b) New York
(c) Shanghai
(d) Tokyo

Correct Answer: (c) Shanghai

Solution:When this question was asked, Shanghai was the second biggest port of the World after Singapore. But according to the World Shipping Council, 2020, container capacity (volume) based on the top three port of the world are as follows. 1. Shanghai (China), 2. Singapore, 3. Ningbo Zhoushan (China).

13. Which one of the following port cities in Venezuela has been developed as an oil port? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1999]

(a) Caracas
(b) Maracaibo
(c) Maracay
(d) Carupano

Correct Answer: (b) Maracaibo

Solution:Maracaibo port is a city and municipality in North Western Venezuela, on the western shore of the strait that connects Lake Maracaibo to the Gulf of Venezuela. It is connected to the Gulf of Venezuela by Tablazo Strait which is 55 kilometres long and fed by numerous rivers. Until petroleum was discovered in 1917, the city was a small coffee port. Within a decade, it became the oil metropolis of Venezuela and South America. The dredging of the channel connecting the lake with the Caribbean in the late 1950s stimulated the economy of North Western Venezuela and quickened the maritime life of the city. Lake Maracaibo of South America is rich in petrochemical products. That is why Maracaibo port city has been developed as an oil port in Venezuela.

14. Alexandria is a port in [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2007]

(a) Egypt
(b) Israel
(c) Jordan
(d) Libya

Correct Answer: (a) Egypt

Solution:Alexandria is the second largest city and major economic centre in Egypt, extending about 32 km along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Its low elevation on Nile Delta makes it highly vulnerable to rising sea level. It is an important industrial centre because of its Natural Gas and Oil pipelines from Suez.

15. Port diamond is located in [U.P. P.S.C. (GIC) 2010]

(a) Australia
(b) Sri Lanka
(c) South Africa
(d) Zaira

Correct Answer: (c) South Africa

Solution:Port Nolloth, a town of South Africa, is known as Port Diamond. The port was previously a Transhipment point for copper from the Okiep mines and diamonds from the Namaqualand region. Nolloth port has been developed as a diamond production area.

16. Which one of the following is known as the "Coffee port" of the world? [M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2015, I.A.S. (Pre) 2000]

(a) Sao Paulo
(b) Santos
(c) Rio de Janeiro
(d) Buenos Aires

Correct Answer: (b) Santos

Solution:The port of Santos is located in Brazil. Now it is known as Coffee Port due to highest coffee export in the world.

17. Which one of the following is known as the 'Coffee Port' of the world?