UPSC CSE Prelims
Europe Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Practice solved questions for Europe with detailed step-by-step solutions, key insights, and trend analysis for UPSC CSE PRELIMS.
Solved Previous Year Questions
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Consider the following pairs:
Region – Country
I. Mallorca : Italy
II. Normandy : Spain
III. Sardinia : France
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ Option 4 (None)
All three pairs are incorrectly matched. The question tests knowledge of important regions and islands of Europe and their respective countries.
❌ Pair I is Incorrect: Mallorca is part of Spain, not Italy. It is the largest island of the Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean Sea.
❌ Pair II is Incorrect: Normandy is a historic and administrative region of France, not Spain.
❌ Pair III is Incorrect: Sardinia is an island belonging to Italy, not France.
Short Notes: Important Regions of Europe
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Mallorca is the largest island of Spain's Balearic Islands.
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Normandy is located in northwestern France along the English Channel.
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Normandy is famous for the D-Day Landings (1944) during Normandy Landings.
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Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea after Sicily.
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Sardinia is an autonomous region of Italy.
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The Balearic Islands include Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera.
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European map-based questions are common in UPSC examinations.
The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Canada and the United States of America
The border between Canada and the United States is the longest international border in the world, stretching approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles), including the border shared with Alaska. It is a peaceful, mostly undefended boundary that includes both land and water segments, exemplifying one of the most stable and cooperative international relationships in modern history.
📝 Short Notes: Longest International Borders in the World
| Rank | Countries | Length (Approx.) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Canada – United States | 8,891 km (5,525 miles) | Longest international border; includes Alaska border; peaceful and mostly undefended; comprises land and water segments |
| 2 | Kazakhstan – Russia | 7,644 km | Second longest border; passes through vast steppes; important for trade and natural resources; largely flat terrain |
| 3 | Chile – Argentina | 5,308 km | Longest border in South America; follows the Andes mountain range; includes several high-altitude crossings |
| 4 | China – Mongolia | 4,677 km | Fourth longest; crosses through Gobi Desert and grasslands |
| 5 | China – India | 3,488 km | Highly disputed in areas like Aksai Chin and Arunachal Pradesh; source of occasional tensions between the two nations |
- Canada-US Border Characteristics: The border runs through diverse terrain including forests, mountains, lakes, and rivers; it includes the Great Lakes and crosses through remote wilderness areas.
- Peace and Cooperation: The Canada-US border is often cited as the world's longest undefended border, symbolizing peaceful coexistence and strong bilateral relations.
- Historical Context: Established through various treaties including the Treaty of Paris (1783) and the Oregon Treaty (1846).
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Europe in UPSC CSE PRELIMS