1. Which one of the following is not an international boundary line ?

Which one of the following is not an international boundary line ?

Dresden Line
Durand Line
Maginot Line
38<sup>th</sup> Parallel
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2016
An international boundary line separates two or more sovereign states.
– Durand Line: Establishes the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It is an international boundary.
– Maginot Line: A defensive line of fortifications built by France along its eastern border primarily with Germany. While a military line, it was situated along a major international border and is often discussed in that context.
– 38th Parallel: Serves as the boundary (or armistice line/demarcation line) between North Korea and South Korea. It is a well-recognized international boundary.
– Dresden Line: Dresden is a major city in Germany. There is no recognized international boundary line known as the “Dresden Line”. It might refer to a historical or local feature, but not an international border.
Therefore, the “Dresden Line” is not an international boundary line.
– International boundary: A line separating countries.
– Durand Line: Afghanistan-Pakistan.
– Maginot Line: French defensive line along the German border.
– 38th Parallel: North-South Korea.
– Dresden is a city, not a boundary line.
Other famous boundary lines include the Radcliffe Line (India-Pakistan), McMahon Line (India-China), Oder-Neisse Line (Germany-Poland), and the Mason-Dixon Line (historical boundary in the US). Military defence lines along borders, like the Maginot Line or Siegfried Line, are distinct from officially demarcated political boundaries, but are often discussed in geographical and historical contexts related to international borders.

2. Which of the following statements about the ‘Blue Line’ is correct ?

Which of the following statements about the ‘Blue Line’ is correct ?

  • 1. It is a learning ecosystem created by the UN System Staff College.
  • 2. It is a line of withdrawal, set by the UN for the purpose of confirming the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the south of Lebanon.

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2024
Statement 1 is incorrect. The ‘Blue Line’ is not a learning ecosystem created by the UN System Staff College. Statement 2 is correct. The ‘Blue Line’ is a demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel published by the United Nations in 2000 to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 425. It serves as a practical line for security purposes.
The ‘Blue Line’ is a UN-defined border demarcation line between Lebanon and Israel.
The Blue Line was established in May 2000 by UN cartographers. It is not an official international border but was drawn to verify Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon. Tensions often arise along the Blue Line due to various points of contention and incidents. The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) is deployed in the area to monitor the line and maintain stability.