World Political Geography (UPSC) (Part-I)

Total Questions: 50

1. Given below is a map of some countries which were parts of the erstwhile Soviet Union, with water bodies shown by shaded areas: [1995]

The countries marked 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 are respectively:

(a) Tajikistan, Turkmenia, Uzbekistan, Kirgizia, Kazakhstan
(b) Turkmenia, Kirgizia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan
(c) Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kirgizia, Turkmenia
(d) Kazakhstan, Turkmenia, Uzbekistan, Kirgizia, Tajikistan

Correct Answer: (d) Kazakhstan, Turkmenia, Uzbekistan, Kirgizia, Tajikistan

Solution:The marked countries in figure are:
‘1’ — Kazakhstan
‘2’ — Turkmenia
‘3’ — Uzbekistan
‘4’ — Kirgizia
‘5’ — Tajikistan

2. The standard time of the following countries is ahead of or behind Greenwich Mean Time depending on whether they are East or West of the longitude passing through Greenwich. [1995]

Cuba
Greece
Iraq
Costa Rica
Japan

Which one of the following sequential orders gives the correct arrangement of the countries according to their standard time from ahead to behind GMT?

(a) 5, 3, 2, 1, 4
(b) 2, 4, 1, 3, 5
(c) 4, 1, 3, 2, 5
(d) 3, 5, 4, 1, 2

Correct Answer: (a) 5, 3, 2, 1, 4

Solution:

Greenwich Mean Time is the standard time for time assessment in different countries.

The countries which lie east of the Greenwich line are ahead of Greenwich Mean Time while the countries which lie west of Greenwich have their standard time behind the Greenwich Mean Time. So, the correct sequence of the countries are Japan, Iraq, Greece, Cuba, and Costa Rica.

3. The original home of the gypsies was: [1995]

(a) Egypt
(b) Russia
(c) India
(d) Persia

Correct Answer: (c) India

Solution:The ‘Gypsies’ are a group of people found in Central Asia. But, the original home of Gypsies was in India (Western Rajasthan and Punjab) area. ‘Gypsies’ are an ethnic group, which for unknown reasons took to a wandering lifestyle during the late Middle Ages.

4. Consider the map given below indicating four places frequently figuring in the news: [1995]

Which one of them is Chechenya? Choose the correct answer:

(a) 1
(b) 2
(c) 3
(d) 4

Correct Answer: (c) 3

Solution:Chechnya is situated in the Asian continent. Chechnya was in the news due to its separatist movement from Russia. The First Chechen War of 1994-1996 with Russia resulted in Chechnya gaining de facto independence, although de jure it remained a part of Russia. Moscow's forces restored Russian federal control in the Second Chechen War of 1999-2009.

5. Arakan Yoma is the extension of the Himalayas located in: [1995]

(a) Baluchistan
(b) Myanmar
(c) Nepal
(d) Kashmir

Correct Answer: (b) Myanmar

Solution:Arakan Yoma is located in western Myanmar. It is a part of the eastern Himalayas. It includes the Naga Hills, the Chin Hills, and the Patkai Range, which includes the Lushai Hills.

6. Consider the map given below: [1996]

The dotted (broken) line in the map is the:

(a) Durand line
(b) McMohan line
(c) Line of demarcation between India and Pakistan suggested by the Boundary Commission (1947)
(d) route followed by young husband's expedition.

Correct Answer: (a) Durand line

Solution:The dotted (broken) line in the map represents the Durand Line, the boundary between India and Afghanistan. This line was demarcated by a commission headed by Mortimer Durand in 1896.

7. Which one of the following regions of India is now regarded as an 'ecological hot spot'? [1996]

(a) Western Himalayas
(b) Eastern Himalayas
(c) Western Ghats
(d) Eastern Ghats

Correct Answer: (c) Western Ghats

Solution:The Western Ghats are known as an ecological hotspot in India, notified under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

8. The rough outline map shows a portion of the Middle East. The countries labelled A, B, C and D are respectively: [1996]

(a) Syria, Iraq, Jordan and Saudi Arabia
(b) Syria, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Jordan
(c) Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan
(d) Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Saudi Arabia

Correct Answer: (c) Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia and Jordan

Solution:

In the given map, the labelled countries are:

‘A’ is Iraq

‘B’ is Syria

‘C’ is Saudi Arabia

‘D’ is Jordan

9. The Palk Bay lies between: [1996]

(a) Gulf of Kutch and Gulf of Khambhat
(b) Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal
(c) Lakshadweep and Maldive Islands
(d) Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Correct Answer: (b) Gulf of Mannar and Bay of Bengal

Solution:The Palk Bay (strait) separates India and Sri Lanka. It lies between the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal.

10. A rough outline map of northern Sri Lanka is shown below. Jaffna is located at the point marked: [1996]

(a) A
(b) B
(c) C
(d) D

Correct Answer: (d) D

Solution:Jaffna is situated at the ‘D’ point in the given figure. Jaffna is a location in Sri Lanka, where the L.T.T.E group was very active and had a stronghold.

12 3 4 5 Next »