UPSC Prelims 2022
World Geography Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2

Both statements are incorrect regarding the radiative effects of high and low clouds. High clouds are thin and primarily trap outgoing infrared radiation, causing warming rather than cooling. Low clouds are thick and primarily reflect incoming solar radiation, causing cooling rather than warming.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: High clouds (like cirrus) are thin and allow solar radiation to pass through but trap outgoing infrared radiation from Earth's surface, thereby warming the surface rather than cooling it.

❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Low clouds (like stratus and cumulus) are thick and excellent reflectors of solar radiation, reflecting sunlight back to space, thereby causing a cooling effect rather than a warming effect.

📝 Short Notes: Cloud Types and Their Radiative Effects

• Albedo Effect: Low clouds have high albedo (30-60%), reflecting significant solar radiation, while high clouds have low albedo (10-30%).
• Greenhouse Effect: High clouds trap infrared radiation more effectively due to their cold tops and thin structure, enhancing the greenhouse effect.
• Climate Impact: Overall, low clouds have a net cooling effect on climate (~-30 W/m²), while high clouds have a net warming effect (~+10 W/m²).
• Cloud Feedback: Changes in cloud cover and types are among the largest uncertainties in climate change predictions.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Second half of the month of June

The longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere is known as the summer solstice, which typically occurs on June 20th or 21st, falling in the second half of June. On this day, the sun is directly overhead at the Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N latitude), resulting in maximum daylight hours in the northern hemisphere. The exact date may vary slightly from year to year due to the calendar system and Earth's orbital mechanics.

📝 Short Notes: Solstices and Equinoxes

• During solstices, the sun is directly overhead at either the Tropic of Cancer (June) or Tropic of Capricorn (December)
• During equinoxes, the sun is directly overhead at the Equator, resulting in equal day and night globally
• The tilt of Earth's axis (23.5°) is responsible for seasonal variations and solstices
• The term 'solstice' comes from Latin 'sol' (sun) and 'sistere' (to stand still), as the sun appears to pause at its northernmost or southernmost position

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores

The term "Levant" specifically refers to the geographical region along the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, typically encompassing countries like Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and parts of southern Turkey. This region historically served as a cultural and trade crossroads connecting Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Egypt. The term is frequently used in geopolitical contexts, especially concerning the conflicts and tensions in this area, including the Syrian Civil War and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

📝 Short Notes: The Levant Region

• Geographical Extent: Eastern Mediterranean coastline and its immediate hinterlands, stretching from southern Turkey to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula.
• Countries Included: Cyprus, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and parts of southern Turkey.
• Historical Significance: Major trade route connecting three continents; birthplace of several ancient civilizations and religions.
• Etymology: Derived from French "levant" meaning "rising" (referring to the rising sun in the east).
• Current Relevance: Region of geopolitical importance due to ongoing conflicts, including the Syrian Civil War, Israeli-Palestinian tensions, and activities of groups like ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant).
• Cultural Diversity: Home to diverse ethnic and religious communities including Arabs, Jews, Kurds, Christians, Muslims, and Druze.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — 3, 4 and 5 only

Afghanistan is a landlocked country in Central Asia that shares borders with six countries. Among the given Central Asian republics, only Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan share borders with Afghanistan to its north and northwest.

❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Azerbaijan is located in the Caucasus region on the western shore of the Caspian Sea and does not share a border with Afghanistan.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: Kyrgyzstan is located to the north of Tajikistan and does not share a border with Afghanistan.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Tajikistan shares a long border (approximately 1,357 km) with Afghanistan to the north and northeast.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Turkmenistan shares a border (approximately 804 km) with Afghanistan to the northwest.
✅ Statement 5 – Correct: Uzbekistan shares a short border (approximately 144 km) with Afghanistan to the north.

📝 Short Notes: Afghanistan's Neighbors

• Afghanistan is completely landlocked with no access to the sea.
• The Wakhan Corridor is a narrow strip of territory that connects Afghanistan to China.
• Among Central Asian republics, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan do NOT share borders with Afghanistan.
• The Durand Line marks the disputed border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Only two pairs

This question tests knowledge of geographical regions and their corresponding countries. Out of the four given pairs, only Anatolia–Turkey and Amhara–Ethiopia are correctly matched, while Cabo Delgado belongs to Mozambique (not Spain) and Catalonia is in Spain (not Italy).

✅ Pair 1 (Anatolia – Turkey) – Correct: Anatolia is the Asian portion of Turkey, a historic peninsula at the crossroads of Asia and Europe.

✅ Pair 2 (Amhara – Ethiopia) – Correct: Amhara is a region in northwestern Ethiopia, homeland of the Amhara people and location of Lake Tana.

❌ Pair 3 (Cabo Delgado – Spain) – Incorrect: Cabo Delgado is the northernmost province of Mozambique, not Spain; it has been affected by Al-Shabab extremist attacks since 2017.

❌ Pair 4 (Catalonia – Italy) – Incorrect: Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, not Italy; it has been in news due to separatist movements and protests.

📝 Short Notes: Important Global Regions

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — Lake Faguibine

Lake Faguibine in Mali, West Africa, was once one of the largest lakes in the region, fed by the Niger River during seasonal floods and spanning approximately 590 square kilometers in 1974. Due to declining precipitation from the late 1980s, increasing aridity, and changing climate patterns, the lake gradually dried up and has remained nearly dry since the late 1990s, turning the area into a desert despite the resumption of normal rainfall after 2000.

Why other options are incorrect:

• Lake Victoria: Located in East Africa (not West Africa), it is the largest lake in Africa and remains filled with water.
• Lake Oguta: Located in Nigeria, West Africa, it is still a functional freshwater lake and has not turned into a desert.
• Lake Volta: Located in Ghana, West Africa, it is one of the world's largest artificial reservoirs by surface area and remains filled with water from the Volta River.

📝 Short Notes: Desertification and Lake Desiccation in Africa

• Lake Faguibine: Located in Mali, West Africa; once covered 590 sq km (1974); dried up by late 1990s due to reduced rainfall and climate change.
• Desertification in Sahel: The Sahel region, including Mali, has experienced severe desertification due to climate variability, overgrazing, and land degradation.
• Impact on livelihoods: Drying of Lake Faguibine destroyed traditional fishing, agriculture, and livestock herding activities.
• Climate patterns: Despite return of normal rainfall post-2000, the lake has not recovered, indicating irreversible environmental changes.
• Other African lakes under threat: Lake Chad has also shrunk by over 90% since the 1960s due to similar climatic and anthropogenic factors.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 1 — Restoration of damaged coral reefs

Biorock technology (also known as mineral accretion technology) uses low-voltage direct electrical current passed through seawater to precipitate dissolved minerals, creating a limestone-like structure on submerged metal frames. This creates an ideal substrate for coral larvae to settle and grow, accelerating coral reef restoration by 3-5 times compared to natural growth rates. The technology also makes corals more resilient to environmental stresses like ocean warming and acidification, making it a valuable tool for marine ecosystem restoration.

📝 Short Notes: Biorock Technology

• Principle: Electrolysis of seawater using low-voltage DC current (1.2-6 volts) causes precipitation of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide on cathode structures
• Structure: Metal frames (usually steel) are placed underwater and connected to a low-voltage power source (solar panels or tidal energy)
• Benefits for Coral Restoration: Accelerated coral growth (3-5x faster), increased coral survival rates (up to 50x higher), enhanced resistance to bleaching and diseases
• Applications: Coral reef restoration, artificial reef creation, shoreline protection, mariculture support
• Developers: Pioneered by architect Wolf Hilbertz and marine biologist Thomas Goreau in the 1970s
• Global Examples: Projects in Maldives, Indonesia, Thailand, Seychelles, and other tropical regions with degraded coral reefs
• India Context: Potential application in Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands for coral restoration