World and Physical Geography Archives

21. Which one of the following is a characteristic feature of Market Garde

Which one of the following is a characteristic feature of Market Gardening ?

Farms are of very large size.

Netherlands is an example of Market Gardening.

It is well-developed in sparsely populated areas of North-West Europe.

This is practised in the areas where consumers of low income group are located.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2021

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The correct answer is Netherlands is an example of Market Gardening.

Market gardening is a form of commercial horticulture that involves intensive cultivation of high-value crops (vegetables, fruits, flowers) on relatively small parcels of land, usually close to urban centers or markets. Key characteristics include:
– Small to medium-sized farms.
– Intensive farming practices (high labour and capital inputs per unit area).
– Focus on perishable or high-value crops.
– Proximity to markets for quick transport of produce.
– Dependence on efficient transportation and communication networks.

Let’s analyze the options:
A) Farms are typically small or medium-sized, not very large, to facilitate intensive cultivation and proximity to markets.
B) The Netherlands is renowned for its highly intensive and technologically advanced horticulture, including greenhouse production of vegetables, flowers, and plants, largely catering to both domestic and international markets. This is a classic example of market gardening (though often referred to more broadly as horticulture).
C) It is well-developed in areas near markets, which are typically densely populated urban centers, not sparsely populated areas.
D) Market gardening focuses on supplying consumers, typically in urban areas, who have the purchasing power to buy relatively higher-cost fresh produce. It’s not primarily targeted at low-income consumers.

Market gardening is often associated with truck farming in North America, where produce is transported by truck over relatively short distances to urban markets. Other regions known for significant market gardening include parts of Western Europe, coastal California, and areas surrounding major cities worldwide. The success of market gardening depends heavily on access to reliable transportation, labour, and capital, as well as market demand for fresh produce.

22. Viticulture is a type of cultivation, largely a speciality of

Viticulture is a type of cultivation, largely a speciality of

Tropical areas.

Mediterranean region.

Sub-tropical areas.

Semi-arid areas.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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The correct answer is Mediterranean region.

– Viticulture is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes.
– The Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters, is particularly well-suited for growing grapes, especially those used for wine production.

– Major wine-producing regions globally, such as those in Italy, France, Spain, California, Chile, South Africa, and parts of Australia, experience climates similar to the Mediterranean.
– While grapes can be grown in other climates, the specific conditions of the Mediterranean region contribute significantly to the quality and characteristics of wine grapes.

23. Which one of the following megacities has the highest population ?

Which one of the following megacities has the highest population ?

Delhi

Tokyo

Canton

Seoul

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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The correct answer is Tokyo.

– Comparing the metropolitan areas of the given cities:
– Tokyo (Greater Tokyo Area) is widely recognized as the world’s most populous metropolitan area.
– Delhi (National Capital Region) is a major metropolitan area but generally smaller than Tokyo.
– Canton (Guangzhou Metropolitan Area) is a major metropolitan area in China but smaller than Tokyo.
– Seoul (Seoul Capital Area) is a major metropolitan area but smaller than Tokyo.

– Population figures for metropolitan areas can vary depending on the definition used (e.g., urban agglomeration, metropolitan area). However, by most standard definitions of metropolitan areas, Tokyo consistently ranks as the largest in the world.
– As of recent estimates, Tokyo’s metropolitan area population is over 37 million, while Delhi’s is around 30-32 million, Seoul’s around 25 million, and Guangzhou’s around 20-22 million.

24. Where is the headquarters of the ASEAN (Association of South East Asia

Where is the headquarters of the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations) located ?

Dhaka

Bangkok

Kuala Lumpur

Jakarta

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UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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The correct answer is Jakarta.

– The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising ten Southeast Asian countries.
– Its permanent Secretariat is located in Jakarta, Indonesia.

– ASEAN was founded on August 8, 1967, in Bangkok, Thailand, with the signing of the ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration) by the founding fathers of ASEAN.
– The member states are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

25. The Trans-Siberian Railway runs from

The Trans-Siberian Railway runs from

Moscow to Vladivostok.

St. Petersburg to Moscow.

St. Petersburg to Vladivostok.

Moscow to Sochi.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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The correct answer is Moscow to Vladivostok.

– The Trans-Siberian Railway is a network of railways connecting Moscow with the Russian Far East and the Sea of Japan.
– The main route, often referred to as the Trans-Siberian Railway, runs from Moscow to Vladivostok.

– Construction of the railway began in 1891 and was completed in 1916.
– It is the longest railway line in the world.
– Other routes in the network include the Trans-Manchurian and Trans-Mongolian railways.

26. The river Volga merges into the

The river Volga merges into the

Black Sea

Mediterranean Sea

Caspian Sea

Baltic Sea

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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.

27. Which one of the following cities has been recognised as the Regional

Which one of the following cities has been recognised as the Regional Tsunami Service Provider (RTSP) for the Indian Ocean region by UNESCO ?

Kolkata

Hyderabad

Chennai

Visakhapatnam

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2020

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Hyderabad has been recognized as the Regional Tsunami Service Provider (RTSP) for the Indian Ocean region by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), located in Hyderabad, is responsible for providing tsunami warnings.

INCOIS operates the Indian Tsunami Early Warning Centre (ITEWC) and serves as an RTSP for 25 Indian Ocean littoral countries, providing tsunami advisories.

Following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, significant efforts were made to establish an effective tsunami early warning system in the region. INCOIS was designated as one of the key centers for this purpose.

28. 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?

Spain

Portugal

Germany

France

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.

29. Which one of the following countries does not experience Mediterranean

Which one of the following countries does not experience Mediterranean climate?

Syria

Jordan

Lebanon

Israel

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019

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Mediterranean climate is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. While Syria, Lebanon, and Israel are located on the eastern Mediterranean coast and experience variations of this climate, Jordan’s climate is predominantly arid to semi-arid, lacking the characteristic wet winters of the Mediterranean climate in most parts of the country. Only a small northwestern tip bordering Israel and Syria might have some marginal Mediterranean influence.

– Mediterranean climate is marked by dry summers and wet winters.
– Countries directly bordering the Mediterranean Sea often experience this climate.
– Syria, Lebanon, and Israel have significant areas with Mediterranean climate influence.
– Jordan’s climate is mainly arid or semi-arid.

Countries that experience Mediterranean climate include those around the Mediterranean Sea (e.g., Italy, Greece, parts of Turkey, coastal areas of North Africa, coastal Spain, southern France), coastal California, central Chile, the Cape Region of South Africa, and parts of southwestern and southern Australia. The eastern Mediterranean coastal strip shared by Syria, Lebanon, and Israel falls within this zone. Jordan is mostly an inland country lying to the east of this coastal zone, placing it in a more desert or steppe climate zone.

30. Darling Downs is a

Darling Downs is a

grassland in Australia

barren land in South America

tropical rainforest in South America

temperate forest in Canada

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2019

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Darling Downs is a renowned agricultural region located in southeastern Queensland, Australia. It is characterized by fertile soils and extensive grasslands, making it a significant area for crop farming and livestock grazing.

– Darling Downs is situated in Queensland, Australia.
– It is known for its productive agricultural land and pastoral areas.
– The landscape consists primarily of grasslands and cultivated fields.

The Darling Downs is part of the Great Dividing Range and lies west of the McPherson Range. It is drained by the Condamine River and its tributaries. Major towns in the region include Toowoomba, Warwick, and Dalby. Its economy is heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly grain crops, cotton, and livestock.