GK Questions

Answer: Mount Elbrus

Mount Elbrus (5,642 m) in Russia is the highest peak in Europe, located in the Caucasus Mountains. It is a dormant volcano with two summits. Mont Blanc (4,808 m) is the highest in the Alps but lower than Elbrus.

Answer: Doddabetta

Doddabetta (2,637 m) is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills, located in Tamil Nadu. The Nilgiris are part of the Western Ghats and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The name means 'Big Mountain' in the local language.

Answer: True

The Tropic of Cancer (23.5°N) passes through Mexico, dividing it into tropical and subtropical zones. It also passes through 15 other countries including India, Saudi Arabia, and China. The line marks the northernmost point where the Sun can be directly overhead.

Answer: Indonesia

Indonesia is known as the 'Land of Thousand Islands' (actually over 17,000 islands). It is the world's largest archipelago nation, spanning the equator in Southeast Asia. Major islands include Java, Sumatra, Borneo, and Sulawesi.

Answer: True

Antarctica has no permanent human residents due to its extreme climate. Only scientists and support staff live temporarily in research stations. The Antarctic Treaty (1959) designates the continent for peaceful scientific research.

Answer: Prague

Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic, located on the Vltava River. Known as the 'City of a Hundred Spires', it is famous for its historic architecture, including Prague Castle and Charles Bridge. Prague is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Answer: Mizoram

Mizoram has the highest forest cover by percentage (84.53% of geographical area) among Indian states as per the India State of Forest Report 2021. The state's forests are predominantly tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen.

Answer: True

The Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world by surface area (371,000 sq km), though it is called a 'sea' due to its size and salinity. It is landlocked, bordered by five countries, and rich in oil and gas resources.

Answer: Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland, located on the Vistula River. It was largely rebuilt after World War II and is now a major economic and cultural hub in Central Europe. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Answer: True

India has the third-largest railway network in the world after USA and China, spanning over 68,000 km. Indian Railways is a major employer and critical for passenger and freight transport. It operates under the Ministry of Railways.

Answer: Wellington

Wellington is the capital of New Zealand, located at the southern tip of the North Island. It is known for its harbor, cultural institutions, and as the world's southernmost capital of a sovereign state. Auckland is the largest city.

Answer: Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is the most urbanized state in India (48.4% urban population as per 2011 Census), followed by Kerala and Maharashtra. Urbanization is driven by industrialization, IT growth, and migration. Chennai is the state capital.

Answer: True

The Drake Passage is the body of water between South America's Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands of Antarctica. It connects the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and is known for rough seas. Named after English explorer Sir Francis Drake.

Answer: Helsinki

Helsinki is the capital and largest city of Finland, located on the shore of the Gulf of Finland. It is known for its design, architecture, and high quality of life. Helsinki hosted the 1952 Summer Olympics.

Answer: False

India encompasses three biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Indo-Burma. The Sundaland hotspot extends to the Nicobar Islands but is not primarily in India. These regions have high endemism and face conservation threats.

Answer: Dublin

Dublin is the capital and largest city of Ireland, located on the east coast at the mouth of the River Liffey. It is known for its literary heritage (Joyce, Yeats), Guinness brewery, and vibrant culture. Dublin is a major European tech hub.

Answer: Arunachal Pradesh

Arunachal Pradesh is the least densely populated state in India (17 persons per sq km as per 2011 Census), due to its mountainous terrain and forest cover. It shares borders with China, Myanmar, and Bhutan, making it strategically important.

Answer: True

The Andes in South America is the longest continental mountain range in the world, stretching about 7,000 km along the western coast. It passes through seven countries and includes Aconcagua, the highest peak outside Asia.

Answer: Brussels

Brussels is the capital and largest city of Belgium, serving as the de facto capital of the European Union. It is known for its Art Nouveau architecture, comic book culture, and as the headquarters of NATO. Brussels is bilingual (French/Dutch).

Answer: True

India's standard meridian (82.5°E) passes through Mirzapur near Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh. This longitude is used to define Indian Standard Time (IST), which is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of GMT. A single time zone is used across India.