Geography – GK Questions

Bern is the capital of Switzerland, located on the Aare River. It is known for its well-preserved medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Zurich and Geneva are larger cities, but Bern has been the federal city since 1848.

India is the largest producer of millets globally, contributing about 40% of world production. Major millets include jowar, bajra, and ragi. The UN declared 2023 as the International Year of Millets, recognizing India's leadership in millet cultivation.

A delta is formed by river deposition of sediments at its mouth where it enters a sea or lake. The Ganga-Brahmaputra delta is the world's largest. Estuaries are tidal mouths without significant deposition; fjords are glacial valleys flooded by sea.

The Sutlej River is called the 'Lifeline of Punjab' as it provides water for irrigation through the Bhakra-Nangal project. It originates in Tibet and is the easternmost tributary of the Indus. The river supports agriculture in Punjab and Haryana.

Canada has the most natural lakes in the world, with over 2 million lakes covering about 9% of its land area. This is due to glacial activity during the last Ice Age. Major lakes include Great Bear, Great Slave, and portions of the Great Lakes.

The Deccan Traps are extensive volcanic rock formations in western and central India, formed by massive lava flows about 66 million years ago. They cover parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Madhya Pradesh. The black soil of this region is derived from these traps.

All three sanctuaries—Pakke, Nameri, and Eaglenest—in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are important habitats for the Great Indian Hornbill. This bird is culturally significant to Northeast tribes and is a flagship species for forest conservation.

Equatorial climate has no dry season and experiences heavy rainfall (over 200 cm annually) throughout the year due to convectional rainfall. Found near the Equator in Amazon, Congo Basin, and Indonesia. Supports tropical rainforests.

Alluvial soil covers about 40% of India's land area, making it the most widespread soil type. It is found in the Indo-Gangetic plains, Brahmaputra Valley, and coastal regions. It is highly fertile and suitable for diverse crops.

Aconcagua in Argentina is the highest peak in South America and the Western Hemisphere at 6,961 meters. It is part of the Andes Range and is a popular mountaineering destination. The name may mean 'Stone Sentinel' in Quechua.

Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is the world's only floating national park, situated on Loktak Lake. It consists of floating phumdis (masses of vegetation) and is home to the endangered Sangai deer.

Kolkata Port (now Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port) is known as the 'Gateway of North East India'. It is India's oldest operating port (1870) and a riverine port on the Hooghly River. It serves the eastern and northeastern states.

The thermosphere (85-600 km altitude) is where most satellites orbit Earth, including the International Space Station. Temperatures rise sharply here due to absorption of solar radiation. The auroras (Northern/Southern Lights) also occur in this layer.

Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur is the world's only floating national park, located on Loktak Lake. It is the last natural habitat of the endangered Sangai (brow-antlered deer). The park is made of floating phumdis (vegetation mats).

Algeria is the largest country in Africa by area (2.38 million sq km) and the 10th-largest in the world. Most of Algeria is covered by the Sahara Desert. Its capital is Algiers, located on the Mediterranean coast.

The Nagarjuna Sagar Dam is built on the Krishna River, on the border of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. It is one of India's earliest multipurpose projects, providing irrigation to drought-prone areas and generating hydroelectric power.

The Equator passes through 13 countries across three continents: Africa (7 countries), Asia (Indonesia, Maldives), and South America (3 countries). It divides Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Madhya Pradesh is the largest producer of limestone in India, contributing about 20% of national production. Limestone is essential for cement, steel, and chemical industries. Major deposits are in Satna, Katni, and Jabalpur districts.

Wheat is known as the 'King of Cereals' due to its global importance as a staple food. It is a Rabi crop in India, requiring cool temperatures and moderate rainfall. India is the second-largest wheat producer after China.

The 'Loo' is a strong, hot, and dry wind that blows over North India (especially Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, UP) during May-June. It can cause heatstroke and dehydration. It originates from the Thar Desert region.