World Political Geography (UPSC) (Part-II)

Total Questions: 45

1. Itaipu Dam built on the river Parana is one of the largest dams in the world. Which of the following two countries have this as a joint project? [2005]

Correct Answer: (c) Brazil and Paraguay
Solution:

The Itaipu Dam, located on the Paraná River, is indeed one of the largest dams in the world. It is a joint project between Brazil and Paraguay. The dam is situated on the border between the two countries, with the majority of the dam's structure located in Brazilian territory. Itaipu Dam is a significant source of hydroelectric power and serves as an important symbol of cooperation between Brazil and Paraguay.It has an installed generation capacity of 14,000 megawatts, making it one of the world's largest hydroelectric power plants. Energy distribution: it supplies a significant portion of the electricity needs for both countries. Brazil consumes the majority of its share, while Paraguay sells its surplus to Brazil. Environmental conservation: Itaipu has established protected areas and works on sustainable land use and biodiversity conservation, including the creation of a biological forest corridor and the recognition of its protected areas as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

2. Which one of the following is the correct sequence of the given continents in the decreasing order of their percentage of Earth's land? [2005]

Correct Answer: (b) Africa–North America–South America–Euro
Solution:

The decreasing order of arrangement of continent according to the percentage of Earth's land is Africa (29800000 sq km), North America (21510000 sq km) South America (17598000 sq km) and Europe (9699550 sq km).
Africa is the continent with the highest percentage of land area on Earth, it is known for its vast savannahs, deserts, and diverse landscapes. North America is the second-largest continent in terms of land area, including countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico. South America is the third-largest continent, known for its Amazon rainforest, Andes Mountains, and diverse ecosystems. Europe, while geographically small compared to the other continents, still has a significant land area and is home to numerous countries with rich histories and cultures.

   

3. Bermuda Triangle extends up to which of the following places? [2006]

  1. Southern Florida
  2. Puerto Rico
  3. Hawaiian Islands

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only
Solution: Bermuda Triangle is a strange and mysterious location in southern Atlantic Ocean. It is roughly in the shape of a triangle which extends upto South Florida, Pruto Rico and Bermuda Island.
The Bermuda Triangle, also known as the Devil's Triangle, is an urban legend focused on a loosely-defined region in the western part of the North Atlantic ocean. It is said that more than 50 ships and 20 aeroplanes are said to have mysteriously disappeared. The area, whose boundaries are not universally agreed upon, has a vaguely triangular shape marked by the Atlantic coast of the Florida panhandle (in the United States), Bermuda, and the Greater Antilles.

4. Claims to the historical Macedonian territory have been a bone of contention between which of the following countries? [2006]

Correct Answer: (b) Bulgaria and Greece
Solution:Bulgaria & Greece are in dispute over the Macedonian territory.
  • Macedonia broke away from the former Yugoslavia in 1991 and declared independence.
  • The country measures a little over 25,000 sq km, and has a population just over 2 million.
  • A region of Greece bordering the Macedonian republic is also called Macedonia.
    Hence, Greece, being the neighbouring country, has objected to the adoption of this name and insisted that the name apply only to the Greek region.
  • Greece also raised concerns that the adoption of this name implies the Macedonian republic's territorial aspirations over the northern region of Greece.
  • Consequently, the Greeks have been blocking the Macedonian republic's entry to NATO and EU membership.
  • Greece's objections also forced the United Nations to refer to Macedonia as the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
    Since 1991, many suggestions have been proposed and then rejected.
  • But a change of government in Macedonia in 2017 finally led to the deal reached last year.
  • Under the proposed agreement, the country's language will be called Macedonian and its people known as Macedonians (citizens of the Republic of North Macedonia).
  • Also, under the deal, Greece said it would drop its objection to the neighbouring country's entry into the EU and NATO if the changes are formally adopted.
  • The new name will be used both internationally and bilaterally, so that even the 140 or more countries that recognise the name Macedonia will also have to adopt North Macedonia.

5. Huangpu River flows through which one of the following cities? [2006]

Correct Answer: (c) Shanghai
Solution:The Huangpu river is the largest river in Shanghai in China. It is 113.07 km long 400 metres wide and 9 metres deep. Shanghai gets most of its drinking water from Huangpu.
  • It is a tributary of the Yangtze River and acts as Shanghai's main shipping artery and a crucial source of drinking water.
  • The river divides Shanghai into two parts: Pudong to the east and Puxi to the west.
  • The river was historically excavated and created by Lord Chunshen during the Warring States period.
  • The river is crucial for water supply, shipping, and commerce in Shanghai.
  • The Bund, with its historic architecture, is on one side, and the modern skyscrapers of Lujiazui, including the Oriental Pearl Tower, are on the other, creating stunning views.

6. Which one of the following countries is the leading producer of uranium? [2006]

Correct Answer: (b) Canada
Solution:

As per the World Nuclear Association (2021), Kazakhstan is the largest producer of uranium in the world. But among the given alternatives Canada is the largest producer of uranium.

1.Kazakhstan

2. Namibia

3. Canada

4. Australia

5. Uzbekistan

 6. Russia

7. Consider the following statements: [2006]

1. Length of a terrestrial mile is lesser than that of a nautical mile.

2. Harmattan is a dusty land-wind of the East African Coast.

3. Greece and Albania form a part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: (d) 1 only
Solution:One terrestrial mile (1609 metres) is lesseer than one nau-tical mile (1852 meters). The Haamattan is a season in the west African subcontinent, which occurs the end of November and the middle of March. It is characterized by the dry and dusty north easterly trade wind which blows from the Sahara Desert over west Africa into the Gulf of Guinea. The Iberian peninsula includes Portugal, Spain, Andorra and Gibraltar.

8. Through which one of the following groups of countries does the Equator pass? [2006]

Correct Answer: (b) Colombia, Kenya and Indonesia
Solution:Colombia, Kenya and Indoneisa are countries through which the equator passes.
The equator is significant because it divides the Earth into the Northern and Southern hemispheres. The equator is also important for navigation. This line sits at 0" latitude, making it the reference point when travelers, map-makers, or anyone else needs to determine the latitudinal location of an object on Earth. The equator's warmth is due to its proximity to the sun. Since the equator traces a circle around the middle of the planet, its broadest area, it gets more direct sunlight than anywhere else. While the equator passes mainly through the ocean, there are thirteen countries that the equator passes through. Diverse life is abundant in all of these places, from the thriving city streets of Quito, Ecuador, to the tropical island paradise of the Maldives and the rich Amazon rainforest. In each of these places, people and animals are surviving and thriving in the equatorial climate.

9. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [2006]

Well-known Place Country
(a) BaikonourRussia
(b) KourouFrench Guiana
(c) BorobudurIndonesia
(d) CannesFrance

 

Correct Answer: (a)
Solution:
  • Baikonour is associated with Kazakhstan, not Russia. It is known for being the world's first and largest operational space launch facility.
  • Kourou is a commune in French Guiana, an overseas region and department of France located in South America.
  • Borobudur is the world's largest Buddhist temple and a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Magelang, Central Java, Indonesia.
  • Cannes is a city located on the French Riviera in France. It is famous for its annual international film festival.

10. Other than India and China, which one of the following groups of countries border Myanmar? [2006]

Correct Answer: (d) Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh
Solution:Thailand, Laos and Bangladesh are countries bordering Myanmar.
  • Myanmar (also known as Burma) is the northwesternmost country of mainland Southeast Asia located on the Indochinese peninsula.
  • With an area of 261,228 sq mi (676,578 sq km), it is the second largest country in Southeast Asia and the largest on mainland Southeast Asia.
  • Myanmar lies along the Indian and Eurasian Plates, to the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau,
  • The country is nestled between several mountain ranges with the Arakan Mountains on the west and the Shan Plateau dominating the east. It includes more than 16 islands and the Mergui Archipelago.