UPSC Prelims 2004 Q132: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Which one of the following cities (they were in the news in recent times) is NOT correctly
matched with its country?
- (a) Salamanca - Spain
- (b) Cannes - Italy
- (c) Cancun - Mexico
- (d) Bruges - Belgium
Answer: (b) Cannes - Italy
Explanation
Cities and their countries
| City | Country |
|---|---|
| Salamanca | Spain — correct |
| Cancun | Mexico — correct |
| Bruges | Belgium — correct |
| Cannes | France, not Italy — wrong |
Cannes, famous for its international film festival on the French Riviera, is in France, so the pair with Italy is wrongly matched.
Answer: (b) Cannes - Italy.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Salamanca is in Spain.
- (b) CORRECT. Cannes is in France, so this pair is wrong.
- (c) Incorrect. Cancun is in Mexico.
- (d) Incorrect. Bruges is in Belgium.
Key point
Cannes: French Riviera, film festival; Cancun: Quintana Roo, Mexico; Bruges: West Flanders.
Remember
Cannes, the film festival city, is in France.
Common mistakes
- Placing Cannes in Italy because of Venice's film festival.
- Mixing Cancun with the Cancun WTO meeting country.
- Reading the question as asking for a correct pair.
Exam tip
Cities in the news: tie each city to its country, such as Cancun with the WTO meet of 2003.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Cannes
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Cancún
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Bruges