UPSC Prelims 2004 Q145: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Match List I (New Names of the Countries) with List II (Old Names of the Countries) and
select the correct answer using the codes given below:
List I
(A) Benin
(B) Belize
(C) Botswana
(D) Malawi
List II
1. Nyasaland
2. Basutoland
3. Bechuanaland
4. British Honduras
5. Dohomey
Codes:
- (a) A 3 B 1 C 2 D 4
- (b) A 5 B 4 C 3 D 1
- (c) A 3 B 4 C 2 D 1
- (d) A 5 B 1 C 3 D 4
Answer: (b) A 5 B 4 C 3 D 1
Explanation
New and old names of countries
| New name | Old name |
|---|---|
| A. Benin | Dahomey (5) |
| B. Belize | British Honduras (4) |
| C. Botswana | Bechuanaland (3) |
| D. Malawi | Nyasaland (1) |
The correct matching is A-5, B-4, C-3, D-1: Benin was Dahomey, Belize was British Honduras, Botswana was Bechuanaland and Malawi was Nyasaland.
Answer: (b) A 5, B 4, C 3, D 1.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Benin was Dahomey, not Bechuanaland.
- (b) CORRECT. A-5, B-4, C-3, D-1 matches all four.
- (c) Incorrect. Benin was Dahomey, not Bechuanaland.
- (d) Incorrect. Benin was Dahomey, not Nyasaland.
Key point
Basutoland is now Lesotho; Bechuanaland is Botswana; Nyasaland is Malawi.
Remember
Malawi was formerly Nyasaland and Benin was Dahomey.
Common mistakes
- Putting Lesotho's old name against Botswana.
- Mixing Belize with British Guiana (Guyana).
- Forgetting Dahomey as the old name for Benin.
Exam tip
Renamed countries: Benin, Malawi, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Sri Lanka.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Lesotho
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Botswana
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Malawi