Countries and their Borders

1. Pyrenees Mountains form a natural border between which of the followin

Pyrenees Mountains form a natural border between which of the following two countries ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Germany and Switzerland” option2=”Norway and Sweden” option3=”Hungary and Romania” option4=”Spain and France” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2024
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The Pyrenees Mountains form a prominent natural barrier and border between the Iberian Peninsula (primarily Spain and Andorra) and mainland Europe (primarily France).
– The Pyrenees Mountains separate Spain and France.
– They form a natural border.
The mountain range stretches approximately 491 kilometers (305 miles) from the Bay of Biscay to the Mediterranean Sea. The Principality of Andorra is nestled in the eastern part of the mountain range, bordered by both Spain and France.

2. Which one of the following is the largest country of Europe in terms o

Which one of the following is the largest country of Europe in terms of area?

[amp_mcq option1=”Spain” option2=”Portugal” option3=”Germany” option4=”France” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019
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Among the given options, France is the largest country in terms of area. Metropolitan France has an area of approximately 551,695 square kilometers. If overseas departments and territories are included, the total area is significantly larger, around 643,801 square kilometers. Spain is the second largest among the options (approx. 505,992 km²), followed by Germany (approx. 357,022 km²) and then Portugal (approx. 92,212 km²).
– Area of France (Metropolitan): ~551,700 km².
– Area of Spain: ~506,000 km².
– Area of Germany: ~357,000 km².
– Area of Portugal: ~92,200 km².
– France is the largest among the listed countries.
It’s important to note that the largest country *in Europe* by area is Russia (European part), followed by Ukraine (if considering countries entirely within Europe excluding Russia). However, among the specific options provided, France is the largest.

3. The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :

The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :

[amp_mcq option1=”Canada and the United States of America.” option2=”Chile and Argentina” option3=”China and India” option4=”Kazakhstan and Russian Federation” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2024
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The longest international border between any two countries in the world is shared by Canada and the United States of America. This border is approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles) long.
– The Canada-USA border consists of two sections: the southern border shared with the contiguous United States and the western border shared with Alaska.
– Other long borders include Kazakhstan-Russia (approx. 7,644 km), Argentina-Chile (approx. 5,308 km), and China-India (approx. 3,488 km, includes disputed areas).
– The Canada-USA border is also known as the longest undefended border in the world.
Length of borders mentioned:
– Canada-USA: ~8,891 km
– Chile-Argentina: ~5,308 km
– China-India: ~3,488 km
– Kazakhstan-Russian Federation: ~7,644 km
Comparing these lengths confirms that the Canada-USA border is the longest.

4. Consider the following countries : 1. Finland 2. Germany 3. Norway 4.

Consider the following countries :
1. Finland
2. Germany
3. Norway
4. Russia
How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one” option2=”Only two” option3=”Only three” option4=”All four” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2024
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The countries that border the North Sea are the United Kingdom, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. From the given list:
1. Finland borders the Baltic Sea, not the North Sea.
2. Germany borders the North Sea.
3. Norway borders the North Sea.
4. Russia has extensive coastlines on various seas (Baltic, Arctic, Pacific, Black, Caspian), but not the North Sea.
Therefore, only Germany and Norway from the list border the North Sea. This is a count of two countries.
– The North Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean.
– Key bordering countries are UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, France.
Understanding the geography of Europe, particularly the bordering seas of different countries, is important for geographical questions. Finland is primarily associated with the Baltic Sea, and Russia’s European coastlines are on the Baltic, Barents, White, and Black Seas.

5. Consider the following countries : 1. Bulgaria 2. Czech Republic 3. Hu

Consider the following countries :
1. Bulgaria
2. Czech Republic
3. Hungary
4. Latvia
5. Lithuania
6. Romania
How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only two” option2=”Only three” option3=”Only four” option4=”Only five” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2023
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The correct answer is A) Only two.
To answer this question, one needs to know the land borders of Ukraine with the listed countries. Ukraine shares land borders with seven countries: Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. From the given list:
1. Bulgaria: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Romania and the Black Sea).
2. Czech Republic: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Poland and Slovakia).
3. Hungary: Shares a land border with Ukraine.
4. Latvia: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Belarus and Lithuania).
5. Lithuania: No land border with Ukraine (separated by Belarus and Poland).
6. Romania: Shares a land border with Ukraine.
Therefore, only Hungary and Romania from the list share a land border with Ukraine.
The other countries bordering Ukraine are Poland, Slovakia, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. Geographical knowledge of Eastern Europe is required to answer this type of question.

6. Consider the following countries : Azerbaijan Kyrgyzstan Tajiki

Consider the following countries :

  1. Azerbaijan
  2. Kyrgyzstan
  3. Tajikistan
  4. Turkmenistan
  5. Uzbekistan

Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan ?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 5 only” option2=”1, 2, 3 and 4 only” option3=”3, 4 and 5 only” option4=”1, 2, 3, 4 and 5″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
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Based on the geographical locations, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan share borders with Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is landlocked and borders six countries: Pakistan to the south and east, Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan to the north, and China to the northeast.
Azerbaijan borders Iran, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, and the Caspian Sea. Kyrgyzstan borders China, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. Neither Azerbaijan nor Kyrgyzstan share a border with Afghanistan.

7. Consider the following pairs: Region often mentioned in the news – Co

Consider the following pairs:

Region often mentioned in the news – Country
1. Anatolia – Turkey
2. Amhara – Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado – Spain
4. Catalonia – Italy

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

[amp_mcq option1=”Only one pair” option2=”Only two pairs” option3=”Only three pairs” option4=”All four pairs” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
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Two out of the four pairs are correctly matched: Anatolia is in Turkey, and Amhara is a region in Ethiopia.
– Anatolia is a large peninsula in Western Asia, forming the major part of Turkey.
– Amhara is one of the ten regional states of Ethiopia, and it has been prominent in news due to internal conflict and instability.
– Cabo Delgado is a province located in the northern part of Mozambique, which has been affected by an ongoing insurgency. It is not in Spain.
– Catalonia is an autonomous community in Spain, known for its independence movement. It is not in Italy.

8. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea,

With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, consider the following statements:
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from the baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2022
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The correct answer is D) 1, 2 and 3.
All three statements are correct according to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Statement 1 is correct. Article 3 of UNCLOS states that every State has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined in accordance with the Convention.
Statement 2 is correct. Article 17 of UNCLOS grants ships of all States, whether coastal or land-locked, the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. Innocent passage means navigation through the territorial sea that is not prejudicial to the peace, good order, or security of the coastal State.
Statement 3 is correct. Article 57 of UNCLOS states that the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baselines from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
UNCLOS is a comprehensive treaty governing the uses of the oceans and their resources. It establishes different maritime zones (internal waters, territorial sea, contiguous zone, exclusive economic zone, continental shelf, high seas, and the Area) and defines the rights and obligations of states within each zone.

9. Consider the following countries : 1. Denmark 2. Japan 3. Russian F

Consider the following countries :

1. Denmark

2. Japan

3. Russian Federation

4. United Kingdom

5. United States of America

Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?

[amp_mcq option1=”1, 2 and 3″ option2=”2, 3 and 4″ option3=”1, 4 and 5″ option4=”1, 3 and 5″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
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The correct option is D. Denmark, Russian Federation, and United States of America are members of the ‘Arctic Council’.
The Arctic Council is a high-level intergovernmental forum that provides a mechanism to address issues faced by the Arctic governments and the indigenous people of the Arctic. Its member states are the eight countries that have territory within the Arctic Circle.
The eight member states are: Canada, Denmark (representing Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russian Federation, Sweden, and the United States (representing Alaska). From the given options, Denmark (via Greenland), Russian Federation, and United States of America are the members. Japan and the United Kingdom are not Arctic countries and are therefore not members, although they hold observer status along with several other non-Arctic states.

10. Which of the following countries does NOT share boundary with Ukraine

Which of the following countries does NOT share boundary with Ukraine ?

[amp_mcq option1=”Romania” option2=”Moldova” option3=”Poland” option4=”Lithuania” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
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Lithuania does not share a direct land boundary with Ukraine. Ukraine shares borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. Lithuania shares borders with Poland, Latvia, Belarus, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast).
Understanding the geography of Eastern Europe is key. Lithuania is located to the northwest of Ukraine, separated by Belarus and Poland.
Ukraine is the second-largest country by area in Europe. Its strategic location has historically made its borders significant.
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