UPSC Prelims 2002 Q130: Geography – Population & Demography
Berber speaking community, frequently in the news, lives in
- (a) Afghanistan
- (b) Algeria
- (c) Argentina
- (d) Australia
Answer: (b) Algeria
Explanation
Home of the Berber-speaking community
| Country | Berbers? |
|---|---|
| Algeria | Yes — the Berber (Amazigh) community, in the news for the Kabyle protests |
| Afghanistan | No — Pashtuns, Tajiks and Hazaras |
| Argentina | No |
| Australia | No |
The Berbers, or Amazigh, live in North Africa, mainly in Algeria and Morocco. In 2001 the Kabyle Berbers of Algeria were frequently in the news because of unrest over language and cultural rights.
Answer: (b) Algeria.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Afghanistan is home to Pashtuns and Tajiks, not Berbers.
- (b) CORRECT. The Berbers live mainly in Algeria and Morocco.
- (c) Incorrect. Argentina has no Berber homeland.
- (d) Incorrect. Australia has no Berber homeland.
Key point
Berbers: North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Libya, Tunisia); Kabyle region in Algeria; language Tamazight.
Remember
Berbers are North African: Algeria and Morocco.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Afghanistan because of the similar sound.
- Linking Berbers with Latin America.
- Forgetting the Algerian Kabyle unrest of 2001.
Exam tip
Only one of the four lies in North Africa.
Sources
- Britannica — Berber
- The Hindu — Algeria Kabyle unrest 2001