True/False – GK Questions

The Antarctic Circle is located at approximately 66.5° South latitude. It marks the southernmost latitude where the Sun can remain continuously above or below the horizon for 24 hours (midnight sun/polar night).

India is the largest producer and consumer of chickpeas (chana), contributing about 70% of global production. Major producing states are Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Chickpeas are a key Rabi pulse crop rich in protein.

The Indo-Gangetic Plain is formed by alluvial deposits brought by the Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra river systems. It is one of the world's most fertile regions, supporting intensive agriculture. The plain stretches from Punjab to Assam.

Red soil gets its characteristic red color from iron oxide (ferric oxide) content. It is found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha. Red soil is suitable for crops like millets, pulses, and oilseeds but is low in nitrogen and phosphorus.

The mesosphere (50-85 km altitude) is the coldest atmospheric layer, with temperatures dropping to -90°C. Meteors burn up in this layer due to friction. Above it lies the thermosphere, where temperatures rise due to solar radiation absorption.

The Tropic of Capricorn (23.5°S) passes through Australia, dividing it into tropical and temperate zones. It also passes through South America, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. The line marks the southernmost point where the Sun can be directly overhead.

The Bay of Bengal experiences about 4-5 times more cyclones than the Arabian Sea due to warmer sea surface temperatures, higher humidity, and favorable atmospheric conditions. This makes eastern India more vulnerable to cyclonic storms.

The International Date Line (approximately 180° longitude) passes through the Pacific Ocean. It deviates around landmasses to avoid splitting countries. Crossing it eastward subtracts a day; westward adds a day.

The asthenosphere is the upper part of the mantle, below the lithosphere, and is semi-fluid (plastic) due to high temperature and pressure. This allows tectonic plates to move over it. The asthenosphere extends from about 100-410 km depth.

The Aravalli Range is the oldest fold mountain range in India, formed about 1.5 billion years ago during the Proterozoic era. It runs about 692 km from Gujarat to Delhi. Once much higher, erosion has reduced its height. Guru Shikhar (1,722 m) is its highest peak.

The Strait of Malacca connects the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) to the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean). It is one of the world's most important shipping lanes, with about 25% of global trade passing through. It lies between Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.

India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world, contributing about 40% of global production. Major mango-growing states are Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Bihar. India grows over 1,000 varieties, including Alphonso, Dasheri, and Langra.

The Bay of Bengal is located to the east of India, forming part of the northeastern Indian Ocean. It is bordered by India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. Major rivers like Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Mahanadi drain into it.

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of Earth, comprising the crust and the uppermost part of the mantle. It is broken into tectonic plates that move over the softer asthenosphere. Lithospheric movements cause earthquakes, volcanoes, and mountain building.

The Satpura Range runs parallel to the Vindhya Range to its south, separated by the Narmada River valley. Both are ancient block mountains in central India. The Satpuras extend through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat.

The Panama Canal connects the Atlantic Ocean (via Caribbean Sea) to the Pacific Ocean, cutting through the Isthmus of Panama. Opened in 1914, it saves ships from navigating around South America. It was expanded in 2016 to accommodate larger vessels.

India is the largest producer of bananas in the world, contributing about 30% of global production. Major banana-growing states are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. India grows diverse varieties including Cavendish, Robusta, and Nendran.

The Arabian Sea is located to the west of India, forming part of the northern Indian Ocean. It is bounded by India, Pakistan, Iran, Oman, Yemen, and Somalia. Major Indian ports on the Arabian Sea include Mumbai, Kochi, and Mangalore.

The Mohorovičić discontinuity (Moho) is the boundary between Earth's crust and mantle, discovered by Andrija Mohorovičić in 1909. It is marked by a sudden increase in seismic wave velocity. Depth varies from 5-10 km under oceans to 30-50 km under continents.

The Palakkad Gap (or Palghat Gap) is a low mountain pass in the Western Ghats connecting Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It is about 30 km wide and allows Southwest Monsoon winds to pass into Tamil Nadu. It is a vital transportation corridor.