UPSC Prelims 2002 Q120: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Consider the following countries:
1. Albania
2. Bosnia Herzegovina
3. Croatia
4. Macedonia
Which of these countries has/have Adriatic Sea as a boundary?
- (a) 1 and 2
- (b) 1, 2 and 3
- (c) 4 only
- (d) 3 and 4
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation
Countries with the Adriatic Sea as a boundary
| Country | Adriatic coast? |
|---|---|
| Albania | Yes — the south-eastern Adriatic coast |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Yes — a short coast near Neum |
| Croatia | Yes — a long Adriatic coastline |
| Macedonia | No — landlocked |
Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina (the Neum corridor) and Croatia have Adriatic coasts. Macedonia is landlocked, so the answer is 1, 2 and 3.
Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Croatia also has an Adriatic coast.
- (b) CORRECT. Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia border the Adriatic.
- (c) Incorrect. Macedonia is landlocked.
- (d) Incorrect. Macedonia is landlocked.
Key point
Adriatic coast: Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania; Greece is on the Ionian.
Remember
Macedonia is landlocked; the other three touch the Adriatic.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting the tiny Bosnian coast at Neum.
- Counting Macedonia, which is landlocked.
- Leaving out Croatia, which has the longest coast.
Exam tip
Landlocked Macedonia is the odd one out.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Adriatic Sea
- Central Intelligence Agency — The World Factbook: Bosnia and Herzegovina (Geography: coastline 20 km)