Mapping

1. Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar?

Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar?

[amp_mcq option1=”Sumatra” option2=”Borneo” option3=”Java” option4=”Sri Lanka” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2017
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The correct option is A.
Great Nicobar Island is the southernmost island of the Nicobar Islands chain. To its southeast, across the Great Channel (or Six Degree Channel), lies the island of Sumatra, which is part of Indonesia. The distance between Great Nicobar and Sumatra is relatively short compared to the other options.
Borneo is located much further to the east of Sumatra and the Nicobar Islands. Java is located southeast of Sumatra, also further away. Sri Lanka is located far to the west of India’s mainland and is separated from India by the Palk Strait, geographically very distant from the Nicobar Islands. The geographical proximity of Great Nicobar to Sumatra highlights the strategic location of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Indian Ocean.

2. The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the

The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to

[amp_mcq option1=”Central Asia” option2=”Middle East” option3=”South-East Asia” option4=”Central Africa” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
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The correct option is B. The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ is located in the Middle East and is a focal point of conflict in the region.
– The Golan Heights is a plateau region in the Levant.
– It is internationally recognized as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation. Israel captured most of the area from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981, a move not widely recognized internationally.
– The region is situated at the border of Israel, Syria, and Jordan.
The status of the Golan Heights is a major point of contention in the Arab–Israeli conflict. Its strategic importance lies in its elevation, providing military advantage, and access to water resources (primarily through the Sea of Galilee).

3. What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in

What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north?
1. Bangkok
2. Hanoi
3. Jakarta
4. Singapore
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”4-2-1-3″ option2=”3-2-4-1″ option3=”3-4-1-2″ option4=”4-3-2-1″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2014
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The correct sequence of these cities from south to north is Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi.
The question requires knowledge of the relative geographical positions (latitudes) of major cities in South-East Asia.
Jakarta (Indonesia) is located in the Southern Hemisphere at approximately 6° S latitude. Singapore is just north of the equator at approximately 1.3° N latitude. Bangkok (Thailand) is further north at approximately 13.7° N latitude. Hanoi (Vietnam) is the northernmost among the listed cities at approximately 21° N latitude. Therefore, the sequence from south to north is Jakarta (3), Singapore (4), Bangkok (1), Hanoi (2), corresponding to option C (3-4-1-2).

4. Which of the following statements about maps are correct? 1. Maps t

Which of the following statements about maps are correct?

  • 1. Maps that maintain the true shapes of areas are known as conformal maps.
  • 2. Maps are used to show spatial relationships.
  • 3. Maps cannot show route from one place to another.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2022
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Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is incorrect. Conformal maps (like Mercator projection) are designed to maintain the true shapes of small areas, though they distort area and distance, particularly at higher latitudes. Maps are fundamental tools used to represent spatial relationships between features on the Earth’s surface. Statement 3 is incorrect because maps are commonly used to show routes, paths, and directions from one place to another.
– Conformal maps preserve angles and shapes locally.
– Maps depict the spatial arrangement, distribution, and relationships of geographic phenomena.
– Maps are essential for navigation and showing routes.
Different types of map projections exist, each distorting some properties (shape, area, distance, direction) while preserving others. Maps serve various purposes, including navigation, planning, analysis, and communication of spatial information.

5. In order to find out the absolute location of a place on the map, whic

In order to find out the absolute location of a place on the map, which of the following will be required?

[amp_mcq option1=”Latitude of the place alone” option2=”Longitude of the place alone” option3=”Both latitude and longitude of the place” option4=”Neither latitude nor longitude of the place” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2021
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To find the absolute location of a place on a map or the Earth’s surface, both its latitude and longitude are required.
Absolute location is defined by a unique set of coordinates within a specific reference system. On Earth, the most common system uses latitude and longitude, which form a grid. Latitude lines run east-west and measure distance north or south of the Equator. Longitude lines run north-south and measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian.
Latitude alone defines a parallel, which is a line circling the Earth. Longitude alone defines a meridian, which is a line running from pole to pole. Neither line on its own can pinpoint a specific location. The intersection of a specific latitude and a specific longitude provides the unique absolute location of a point on the Earth’s surface.

6. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists :

List-I
(Limestone region)		List-II
(Country)
A. Pennines1. France
B. Yucatan Peninsula2. Jamaica
C. Cockpit Country3. Britain
D. Causses4. Mexico

[amp_mcq option1=”A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1″ option2=”A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3″ option3=”A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1″ option4=”A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2018
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This question asks to match well-known limestone (karst) regions with the countries where they are located.
A. Pennines is a range of hills often called the “backbone of England”. England is part of Great Britain, hence Pennines is in Britain. Matches with 3.
B. The Yucatan Peninsula is a large landmass in southeastern Mexico, also extending into Belize and Guatemala. Mexico is the principal country associated with it in a geographical context. Matches with 4.
C. Cockpit Country is a rugged, hilly region of central Jamaica known for its distinctive karst topography featuring conical hills and sinkholes. Matches with 2.
D. The Causses are a series of limestone plateaus in the Massif Central region of France, characterized by deep canyons and karst features. Matches with 1.
Therefore, the correct matching is A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1.
This question tests knowledge of specific geographic locations famous for their karst geomorphology and the countries where they are found.
Karst topography develops in regions underlain by soluble rocks like limestone, dolomite, or gypsum, characterized by sinkholes, caves, and underground drainage systems. Famous karst regions exist worldwide, reflecting the widespread distribution of carbonate rocks.

7. Which one of the following is located at the southernmost latitude ?

Which one of the following is located at the southernmost latitude ?

[amp_mcq option1=”South Africa” option2=”Australia” option3=”Chile” option4=”Polynesia” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2017
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The correct answer is C) Chile.
To determine which is located at the southernmost latitude, we need to compare the southernmost extent of each option:
– South Africa: The southernmost point of mainland Africa is Cape Agulhas, located at approximately 34°50′ South latitude.
– Australia: The southernmost point of mainland Australia is South Point, Victoria, at approximately 39°08′ South latitude. Tasmania extends further south, with its southernmost point, South East Cape, at approximately 43°38′ South latitude.
– Chile: Chile is a very long country stretching along the Andes. Its southernmost point on the mainland is Águila Islet in the Diego Ramírez Islands, part of the Cape Horn region, at approximately 56°32′ South latitude. Chile also claims territory in Antarctica, extending its reach even further south.
– Polynesia: A large geographic region of Oceania comprising various islands. The main islands of New Zealand, often considered part of Polynesia, extend south to approximately 47° South latitude. Some remote islands might be further south, but none within the core Polynesian triangle reaches the extreme southern latitudes of Chile.
Comparing the southernmost latitudes of the main territories/countries listed, Chile extends significantly further south than South Africa, Australia (including Tasmania), or the main parts of Polynesia (like New Zealand).
Chile’s unique shape, extending for thousands of kilometers north-south along the Pacific coast of South America, gives it access to very high southern latitudes, including islands near Antarctica.

8. What do you call the total system of parallels and meridians that form

What do you call the total system of parallels and meridians that form a network of intersecting lines?

[amp_mcq option1=”Geographic pattern” option2=”Geographic arrangement” option3=”Geographic grid” option4=”Geographic polygon” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2012
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The total system formed by the intersecting network of parallels of latitude and meridians of longitude on a map or globe is called a geographic grid. This grid allows for the precise location of any point on the Earth’s surface using geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude).
The network formed by parallels (lines of latitude) and meridians (lines of longitude) is known as the geographic grid.
Parallels run east-west and measure distance north or south of the equator (latitude). Meridians run north-south from pole to pole and measure distance east or west of the Prime Meridian (longitude).

9. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code

Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists :

List-IList-II
A. Isobars1.Lines of equal time
B. Isohels2.Lines of equal pressure
C. Isochrones3.Lines of equal salinity
4.Lines of equal duration of sun-light

Code :

ABC
(a)124
(b)243
(c)241
(d)123

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

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
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The correct option is C) 2 4 1.
– **Isobars:** Lines connecting points of equal atmospheric pressure on a weather map. (Match with 2)
– **Isohels:** Lines connecting points that receive equal amounts of sunshine duration over a given period. (Match with 4)
– **Isochrones:** Lines connecting points where a phenomenon occurs simultaneously or which are reached at the same time (e.g., lines of equal travel time from a specific point). (Match with 1)
– Lines of equal salinity are called isohalines (Option 3).
Iso- lines (or isolines) are graphical representations used on maps and charts to connect points of equal value for a specific variable. Examples include isotherms (equal temperature), isohyets (equal rainfall), isobaths (equal depth of water), contours (equal altitude), etc.

10. The lake Ontario and St. Lawrence of USA and Canada lie to the south-e

The lake Ontario and St. Lawrence of USA and Canada lie to the south-east of :

[amp_mcq option1=”Hudson Bay” option2=”Labrador Sea” option3=”Atlantic Ocean” option4=”New Foundland” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
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The correct option is A) Hudson Bay.
Lake Ontario is the southernmost of the Great Lakes, located on the border between the United States and Canada. The St. Lawrence River flows from Lake Ontario eastward towards the Atlantic Ocean. Hudson Bay is a large body of saltwater in northeastern Canada, located significantly to the northwest of the Great Lakes region. Therefore, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River lie to the south-east of Hudson Bay.
The Labrador Sea is northeast of the region. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east, where the St. Lawrence River empties. Newfoundland is an island off the eastern coast of Canada, also east of the St. Lawrence estuary. Geographically, the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence system is situated southeast relative to the vast expanse of Hudson Bay.
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