Rivers of the World

1. The river Volga merges into the

The river Volga merges into the

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Black Sea
Mediterranean Sea
Caspian Sea
Baltic Sea
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020
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The correct answer is Caspian Sea.
– The Volga River is the longest river in Europe.
– It flows through Central Russia and is the principal river of European Russia.
– It discharges into the Caspian Sea.
– The Volga is crucial for navigation and transportation in Russia.
– The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest inland body of water, often described as a sea or a large salt lake.

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2. Consider the following pairs: River Flows into 1. M

Consider the following pairs:

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RiverFlows into
1. Mekong— Andaman Sea
2. Thames— Irish Sea
3. Volga— Caspian Sea
4. Zambezi— Indian Ocean

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

1 and 2 only
3 only
3 and 4 only
1, 2 and 4 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2020
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The question asks to identify the correctly matched pairs of rivers and the water bodies they flow into.
– Pair 1: Mekong River flows through Southeast Asia and empties into the South China Sea, not the Andaman Sea. Incorrect match.
– Pair 2: River Thames flows through England and empties into the North Sea, not the Irish Sea. Incorrect match.
– Pair 3: Volga River is the longest river in Europe and flows through Russia, draining into the Caspian Sea. Correct match.
– Pair 4: Zambezi River flows through Southern Africa and empties into the Indian Ocean (specifically, the Mozambique Channel). Correct match.
Geographical knowledge of major rivers and their drainage basins is important for mapping and environmental studies. Knowing the final outflow point helps understand regional hydrology and connectivity.

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3. Consider the following statements about a river: This river originates

Consider the following statements about a river:
This river originates in the Hindu Kush mountain range and flows into Hamoun wetlands after covering a long stretch of about 1,100 km. There has been serious conflicts between two neighbouring nations regarding the sharing of water from this river.
Identify the river from the following:

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Mekong
Tarim
Indus
Helmand
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2023
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The correct answer is D. The river described is the Helmand River.
The Helmand River originates in the Hindu Kush mountain range (specifically, the Baba mountains) in Afghanistan. It flows southwest through Afghanistan and into Iran, where it empties into the Hamoun wetlands (a series of lakes and marshes on the border). Its length is approximately 1,150 km. There has been a long-standing dispute between Afghanistan and Iran over the sharing of the Helmand River’s water.
The Mekong River originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through Southeast Asia. The Tarim River is in Xinjiang, China. The Indus River originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through India and Pakistan to the Arabian Sea; while it has tributaries from the Hindu Kush, its main origin is not there, and it flows into the sea, not Hamoun wetlands.

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4. The rivers of North-West Europe are good examples of

The rivers of North-West Europe are good examples of

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parallel pattern of drainage.
radial pattern of drainage.
barbed pattern of drainage.
trellis pattern of drainage.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2019
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The trellis pattern of drainage is characteristic of regions with folded topography and alternating layers of resistant and less resistant rocks. Rivers flow along the strike of the less resistant rocks, and tributaries join at right angles, cutting across the resistant ridges. While North-West Europe has varied terrain, folded structures are present in some areas (e.g., parts of the Paris Basin, the Ardennes, parts of Germany bordering NW Europe), leading to the development of trellis drainage patterns in those regions.
Different drainage patterns (dendritic, trellis, radial, parallel, rectangular, barbed, etc.) develop depending on the underlying geological structure, topography, and rock type. Trellis drainage is strongly controlled by geological structure, specifically folded rocks.
Dendritic pattern is the most common pattern and develops on uniform rock strata. Radial pattern develops around a central elevated point (like a volcano or dome). Parallel pattern occurs on uniformly sloping surfaces. Rectangular pattern is found in areas with jointed or faulted bedrock. Barbed pattern occurs when a tributary joins a main river in the opposite direction of the main river’s flow, often indicating river capture.

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5. 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 :

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List I
(River)		List II
(Mouth of the river)
A. Danube1. North sea
B. Rhine2. Black sea
C. Rhone3. Bay of Biscay
D. Loire4. Mediterranean sea

Code :

A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-2 – 2016
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Matching the rivers to their mouths:
– A. Danube: The Danube flows eastward across central and eastern Europe and empties into the Black Sea. (A-2)
– B. Rhine: The Rhine flows north-west through Western Europe and empties into the North Sea. (B-1)
– C. Rhone: The Rhone flows south through Switzerland and France and empties into the Mediterranean Sea. (C-4)
– D. Loire: The Loire flows west across France and empties into the Bay of Biscay (part of the Atlantic Ocean). (D-3)
The correct match is A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3.
– The Danube is Europe’s second-longest river.
– The Rhine is a major European river and a vital inland waterway.
– The Rhone is a significant river of Switzerland and France.
– The Loire is the longest river in France.
Understanding the major river systems and their destinations (seas, oceans, or other rivers) is important for world geography. River mouths are often characterized by deltas or estuaries, which are ecologically and economically significant.

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6. Brahmaputra and Indus rivers are antecedent rivers. Which one of the f

Brahmaputra and Indus rivers are antecedent rivers. Which one of the following may be the true definition of an antecedent drainage?

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Which follows the initial slope of the Himalaya
Which existed before the Himalayan range came into existence
Which followed the dip or rock beds of the Himalaya
Which followed the strikes of rock beds of the Himalaya
This question was previously asked in
UPSC NDA-1 – 2019
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An antecedent drainage system is one where a river channel existed before the uplift of the landmass it now crosses. As the land is slowly uplifted (e.g., due to tectonic activity), the river maintains its course by eroding down through the rising ground, often cutting deep gorges. The Indus, Sutlej, and Brahmaputra rivers in the Himalayas are classic examples; they flowed in their channels before the Himalayas were fully uplifted and have cut through the mountain ranges as they rose. Option B accurately describes this process, stating the river existed before the mountain range came into existence.
Antecedent rivers predate the formation of the landforms they cut through and maintain their original course by eroding downwards.
Consequent drainage follows the initial slope of the land. Subsequent drainage follows the weaker rock strata, often aligned along the strike or dip of the rocks. Superimposed (or superposed) drainage is another type where a drainage system established on a younger rock layer cuts down through older underlying strata unrelated to the structure of the older rocks.

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7. Volga River drains into which one of the following seas?

Volga River drains into which one of the following seas?

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Adriatic Sea
Black Sea
North Sea
Caspian Sea
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
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The Volga River, the longest river in Europe, flows through Central Russia and empties into the Caspian Sea.
The Caspian Sea is the world’s largest inland body of water, variously classed as the world’s largest lake or a full-fledged sea. It is an endorheic basin, meaning it has no outflow to the ocean.
The Volga’s vast drainage basin covers much of European Russia, and it is a crucial waterway for transportation and irrigation. Other major rivers draining into the Caspian Sea include the Ural, Terek, and Kura rivers.

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8. Which of the following statements regarding River Rhine is/are correct

Which of the following statements regarding River Rhine is/are correct ?

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  • 1. Rhine River is an important pathway for industrial activity in northern Germany.
  • 2. Port of Rotterdam is located at the mouth of the Rhine River.

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 CDS-2 – 2024
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Statement 1 is correct. The River Rhine is a crucial waterway for industrial transport in Germany, particularly connecting the industrial heartland in the Ruhr region (part of Western/North-Western Germany) to the North Sea. It serves as a major route for transporting raw materials and finished goods. While “northern Germany” might not be the most precise description (Western Germany is key), the industrial importance of the Rhine extends into areas considered northern parts of western Germany.

Statement 2 is correct. The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is located at the delta of the Rhine and Meuse rivers, where they flow into the North Sea. It is one of the busiest ports in the world and serves as a major gateway for goods transported via the Rhine waterway into the European interior, especially Germany.

– The Rhine is a vital inland waterway for industry in Germany.
– The Port of Rotterdam is situated at the mouth of the Rhine River delta.
The Rhine flows through Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, France, and the Netherlands. It is one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe for navigation and trade.

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9. Which one of the following rivers does not drain into Black Sea?

Which one of the following rivers does not drain into Black Sea?

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Volga
Dnieper
Don
Danube
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-1 – 2020
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The Volga River is the longest river in Europe and flows through Russia.
The Volga River drains into the Caspian Sea, not the Black Sea.
The Danube, Dnieper, and Don (via the Sea of Azov) are major rivers that flow into the Black Sea or its connected basins. The Caspian Sea is an endorheic basin, meaning it has no natural outflow to an ocean or sea, and rivers like the Volga flow into it.

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