Geography – True/False – GK Questions

Peaty soil forms in areas of high rainfall and humidity where organic matter accumulates faster than it decomposes. Found in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and parts of Bihar. It is acidic, dark in color, and suitable for paddy and jute cultivation.

The ionosphere is a region within the thermosphere (60-1,000 km altitude) containing ionized particles that reflect radio waves, enabling long-distance communication. It is affected by solar activity and causes auroras near the poles.

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.

Bardoli Chheerha is a local pre-monsoon wind in Assam that brings moisture from the Bay of Bengal. It occurs in April-May and helps in tea cultivation. These winds are part of the complex monsoon system affecting Northeast India.

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.

The Oldham discontinuity is not a recognized seismic discontinuity. The major discontinuities are Moho (crust-mantle), Gutenberg (mantle-core), and Lehmann (outer-inner core). Named after seismologist Richard Oldham who discovered Earth's core.

The Javadi Hills are located in Tamil Nadu, forming part of the Eastern Ghats. They are rich in mineral resources and forests. The hills are a source of several rivers and support agriculture and tribal communities.

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.

India is the largest producer of brinjal (eggplant) globally, contributing about 25% of world production. Major producing states are West Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar. Brinjal is a warm-season vegetable rich in antioxidants.

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.

The Bullen discontinuity, at about 5,150 km depth, marks the boundary between Earth's liquid outer core and solid inner core. It is named after seismologist Keith Bullen. This boundary is critical for understanding Earth's magnetic field generation.

The Mikir Hills (now called Karbi Anglong) are located in Assam, forming part of the Meghalaya Plateau extension. The region is rich in biodiversity and home to the Karbi tribe. It receives heavy rainfall from the Southwest Monsoon.

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.

India is the largest producer of papaya globally, contributing about 40% of world production. Major producing states are Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka. Papaya is rich in vitamins and enzymes, supporting nutrition and rural income.

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.

The Wiechert-Gutenberg discontinuity (commonly called Gutenberg discontinuity) at about 2,900 km depth marks the boundary between Earth's mantle and outer core. Named after seismologists Emil Wiechert and Beno Gutenberg.

The Rajmahal Hills are located in Jharkhand, formed by volcanic activity during the Jurassic period. They are part of the Chota Nagpur Plateau and are rich in coal and other minerals. The hills are named after the town of Rajmahal.

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.

India is the largest producer of okra (bhindi) globally, contributing about 60% of world production. Major producing states are Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Andhra Pradesh. Okra is a warm-season vegetable rich in fiber and vitamins.

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.