UPSC Prelims 2000 Q44: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Consider the following provinces of former Yugoslavia:
I. Bosnia
II. Croatia
III. Slovenia
IV. Yugoslavia
The correct sequence of these provinces from the east to the west is
- (a) IV, I, III, II
- (b) IV, I, II, III
- (c) I, IV, III, II
- (d) I, IV, II, III
Answer: (b) IV, I, II, III
Explanation
Former Yugoslav republics from east to west
| Republic | Position |
|---|---|
| IV. Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro in 1999) | Easternmost |
| I. Bosnia and Herzegovina | West of Serbia |
| II. Croatia | West and north of Bosnia, along the Adriatic |
| III. Slovenia | Westernmost, bordering Italy and Austria |
After the break-up of 1991-92, the rump Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (Serbia and Montenegro) lay in the east, bordering Romania and Bulgaria.
Bosnia and Herzegovina lies to its west across the Drina river.
Croatia curves round Bosnia's north and west along the Adriatic coast.
Slovenia is the most north-westerly, next to Italy and Austria.
So the order from east to west is IV, I, II, III.
Answer: (b) IV, I, II, III.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Slovenia is west of Croatia, not east of it.
- (b) CORRECT. Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia.
- (c) Incorrect. Yugoslavia (Serbia) lies east of Bosnia.
- (d) Incorrect. Bosnia is west of Yugoslavia, so it cannot come first.
Key point
Slovenia touches Italy; Serbia touches Romania and Bulgaria.
Remember
East to west: Serbia, Bosnia, Croatia, Slovenia.
Common mistakes
- Placing Croatia west of Slovenia because of its long Adriatic coast.
- Putting Bosnia to the east of Serbia.
- Reading the order west to east by mistake.
Exam tip
Anchor the ends: Slovenia (Italy side) west, Serbia (Bulgaria side) east.
Sources
- Oxford Student Atlas for India (Oxford University Press), map of south-eastern Europe
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Yugoslavia: the break-up of 1991-92 (britannica.com)