UPSC Prelims 2006 Q34: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Well - known Place : Country
- (a) Baikonour : Russia
- (b) Kourou : French Guiana
- (c) Borobudar : Indonesia
- (d) Cannes : France
Answer: (a) Baikonour : Russia
Explanation
Well-known places and countries
| Place | Actual country | Matched correctly? |
|---|---|---|
| Baikonour | Kazakhstan (cosmodrome leased to Russia) | No |
| Kourou | French Guiana (European spaceport) | Yes |
| Borobudur | Indonesia (Buddhist monument, Java) | Yes |
| Cannes | France (film festival) | Yes |
The cosmodrome at Baikonour lies in Kazakhstan, so the pair with Russia is wrongly matched.
Answer: (a) Baikonour : Russia.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Baikonour is in Kazakhstan, not Russia, so this pair is not correctly matched.
- (b) Incorrect. Kourou is indeed the European Space Agency's launch site in French Guiana.
- (c) Incorrect. Borobudur is a famous Buddhist temple in Indonesia.
- (d) Incorrect. Cannes is a French city famed for its film festival.
Key point
Baikonour is in Kazakhstan (leased by Russia), so the Baikonour-Russia pairing is the wrong one.
Remember
Baikonour cosmodrome is in Kazakhstan, not Russia.
Common mistakes
- Associating the Soviet space programme only with Russia's present territory.
- Doubting Kourou, which hosts Ariane launches.
- Not knowing Borobudur is in Java, Indonesia.
Exam tip
Baikonur Cosmodrome is in Kazakhstan; Russia leases it.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Baikonur Cosmodrome
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Guiana Space Centre