UPSC Prelims 2005 Q42: Geography – World Physical Geography
Where are the Balearic Islands located?
- (a) Mediterranean Sea
- (b) Black Sea
- (c) Baltic Sea
- (d) North Sea
Answer: (a) Mediterranean Sea
Explanation
Balearic Islands
| Water body | Islands |
|---|---|
| Mediterranean Sea | Balearic Islands (Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza) belong to Spain |
| Black Sea | Crimea, no Balearics |
| Baltic Sea | Gotland, Aland |
| North Sea | Orkney, Shetland, Frisian |
The Balearic Islands, including Majorca, Minorca and Ibiza, lie in the western Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of Spain.
Answer: (a) Mediterranean Sea.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Balearics are in the western Mediterranean.
- (b) Incorrect. The Black Sea has no Balearic Islands.
- (c) Incorrect. The Baltic has Gotland and Aland.
- (d) Incorrect. The North Sea has the Shetlands.
Key point
Mediterranean islands: Balearics, Corsica, Sardinia, Sicily, Crete, Cyprus, Malta.
Remember
Balearic Islands lie in the Mediterranean Sea.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Balearic with Baltic.
- Placing them in the open Atlantic Ocean instead.
- Forgetting that they are a Spanish archipelago.
Exam tip
Balearic sounds like Baltic, but it is Spain's Mediterranean group.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Balearic Islands
- Central Intelligence Agency — The World Factbook: Spain (Geography)