UPSC Prelims 2004 Q19: Geography – World Physical Geography
The great Asian river Mekong does not run through
- (a) China
- (b) Malaysia
- (c) Cambodia
- (d) Laos
Answer: (b) Malaysia
Explanation
Countries through which the Mekong runs
| Country | Mekong flows through? |
|---|---|
| China | Yes — rises in Tibet and flows through Yunnan |
| Laos | Yes |
| Cambodia | Yes |
| Malaysia | No — not on the Mekong |
The Mekong flows through China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, but not Malaysia.
Answer: (b) Malaysia.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Mekong rises in Tibet and flows through China.
- (b) CORRECT. The Mekong does not flow through Malaysia.
- (c) Incorrect. The Mekong flows through Cambodia.
- (d) Incorrect. The Mekong flows through Laos.
Key point
Mekong countries: China, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam.
Remember
The Mekong does not run through Malaysia.
Common mistakes
- Assuming every South-East Asian country is on the Mekong.
- Forgetting that Myanmar and Thailand are riparian too.
- Mixing the Mekong with the Irrawaddy.
Exam tip
The Mekong delta lies in southern Vietnam, near the sea.
Sources
- Mekong River Commission — basin countries
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Mekong River