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:

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]

  1. Cuba
  2. Greece
  3. Iraq
  4. Costa Rica
  5. 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?

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]

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.
The Romani people, commonly referred to as Gypsies, are an ethnic group with a distinct language (Romani) and cultural traditions. Linguistic studies have shown that Romani is closely related to several languages spoken in India, including Hindi, Punjabi, and Marwari. This linguistic connection provides strong evidence for the indian origins of the Romani people.
Historical records and genetic studies also support the theory that the Romani people originated in India. It is believed that they migrated from northern India around the 11th century and gradually spread across Europe, the Middle East, and other parts of the world. The migration of the Romani people can be attributed to various factors, including economic opportunities, political upheavals, and persecution.
One significant piece of evidence supporting the Indian origin of the Romani people is the presence of shared cultural practices and traditions between the Romani and certain Indian communities. For example, elements of Romani music, dance, and folklore bear similarities to those found in Indian cultural traditions. Additionally, certain social customs and caste-like systems within the Romani community reflect practices that can be traced back to India.

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:

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]

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.
  • The Himalayas, one of the youngest mountain ranges in the world, are classified into four distinct types based on their geographical and geological characteristics.
  • These are the Trans-Himalayas, located to the north of the Great Himalayas, characterised by arid landscapes and high plateaus, the Greater Himalayas (Himadri), the highest and most continuous range that hosts prominent peaks like Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga, the Lesser Himalayas (Himachal), marked by rugged terrains and famous hill stations like Shimla and Darjeeling, and the Shivalik Hills, the outermost and youngest range featuring low-altitude foothills.
  • Together, these ranges form a natural barrier and are vital for India's climate, biodiversity, and water resources.

6. Consider the map given below: [1996]

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

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.
Facts about the Durand Line
The Durand Line is the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
  • It was fixed by British civil servant Sir Henry Mortimer Durand and the then Afghan Emir, Abdur Rahman Khan in 1893,
  • It was established in order to fix the respective spheres of influence and also to improve the diplomatic ties between the British establishment in India and the Afghan Kingdom. It was accepted as the then Indo-Afghan border.
  • The line cuts through the Pashtun homelands of the region. The line divides ethnic Pashtuns and Balochs, who live on both sides of the border.
  • The Pakistani side of the border includes, among others, the North Western Frontier Province, which was renamed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in 2010,
  • The length of the Durand Line is 2430 km.
  • The line was slightly modified by the Anglo-Afghan Treaty of 1919. The treaty was meant to be for 100 years, but in 1999, it was not renewed.
  • The modern state of Afghanistan does not accept the Durand Line
  • However, it is internationally recognised as the western border of Pakistan

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

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.
Importance of Western Ghats:

The Western Ghats are extremely important from several points of view. One is its geomorphic importance. It is older than the Himalayas and is considered an 'evolutionary ecotone' illustrating the "Out of Africa" and the "Out of India" hypotheses. The Ghats also have a major influence on the ecological and biophysical processes on the entire peninsula of india. They also influence the monsoon weather patterns across the country. They present a classic example of the tropical monsoon system. The mountains act as a barrier to the rain-laden southwest monsoon winds in late summer in India.
Another reason for the Ghats' significance is the enormous diversity and abundance of species of flora and fauna in this region. Many of these species are also endemic to the region. There are 4-5 thousand plant species here out of which 650 tree species are found. And, out of the 650 tree species, 352 are endemic. There are also 179 amphibian species, 65% of which are endemic; 157 reptile species, 62% of which are endemic; and 219 fish species, 53% of which are endemic. There are many flagship mammal species also here. Some of the endangered species found here are Nilgiri Tahr, Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur

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

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]

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.
About Palk Strait
  • It is an inlet of the Bay of Bengal between southeastern India and northern Sri Lanka.
  • It is bounded on the south by Pamban Island (India), Adam's (Rama's) Bridge (a chain of shoals), the Gulf of Mannar, and Mannar Island (Sri Lanka).
  • The southwestern portion of the strait is also called Palk Bay.
  • The strait is named after Robert Palk, who was a governor of Madras Presidency (1755-1763) during the Company Raj period.
  • The strait is 40 to 85 miles wide, 85 miles long, and less than 330 feet (100 metres) deep.
  • It receives several rivers, including the Vaigai (India), and it contains many islands on the Sri Lankan side.
  • The port of Jaffna, the commercial centre for northern Sri Lanka, lies on the strait.
  • The shoals and numerous islands long have limited transit through the strait to smaller vessels.

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

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.
  • The Jaffna Peninsula is located in the Northern Province of Sri Lanka.
  • This region is known for its rich cultural heritage and a significant population of Tamils.
  • The Jaffna Peninsula has a long history and is an important cultural and economic region.
  • The capital of the Northern Province is Jaffna, which is the main city of the peninsula.
  • The area is also known for its historical temples and forts.
  • The Northern Province has faced significant challenges due to the civil war in Sri Lanka, but it remains a crucial part of the country's cultural fabric.