UPSC Prelims 2006 Q59: Geography – Atmosphere & Climatology
Consider the following statements :
1. Length of a terrestrial mile is lesser than that of a nautical mile.
2. Harmattan is a dusty land - wind of the East African Coast.
3. Greece and Albania form a part of the Iberian Peninsula.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2 and 3, only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1 only
Answer: (d) 1 only
Explanation
Mile, Harmattan and the Iberian Peninsula
| Statement | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. A terrestrial mile is shorter than a nautical mile | True | Terrestrial (statute) mile = 1.609 km; nautical mile = 1.852 km |
| 2. Harmattan is a dusty land wind of the East African coast | False | Harmattan blows from the Sahara over West Africa, towards the Gulf of Guinea |
| 3. Greece and Albania form part of the Iberian Peninsula | False | The Iberian Peninsula holds Spain and Portugal; Greece and Albania are in the Balkans |
Only statement 1 is correct.
Answer: (d) 1 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statements 2 and 3 are false.
- (b) Incorrect. Neither statement 2 nor 3 is correct, and statement 1 is true.
- (c) Incorrect. Statement 3 is false; Greece and Albania belong to the Balkan Peninsula.
- (d) CORRECT. Only the comparison of the terrestrial and nautical mile is true.
Key point
A terrestrial mile (1.609 km) is shorter than a nautical mile (1.852 km); Harmattan is a West African wind and Greece and Albania lie in the Balkans.
Remember
Nautical mile (1.852 km) is longer than the terrestrial mile (1.609 km).
Common mistakes
- Placing Harmattan on the East African coast instead of West Africa.
- Confusing the Iberian and Balkan peninsulas.
- Reversing the lengths of the statute and nautical miles.
Exam tip
Harmattan = dry dusty wind from the Sahara to the West African coast.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI Geography — Fundamentals of Physical Geography — Atmospheric Circulation and Weather Systems
- Bureau International des Poids et Mesures (BIPM) — The International System of Units (SI Brochure): non-SI units accepted for use, the nautical mile (1852 m)