UPSC Prelims 2008 Q52: Geography – Astronomy & Earth - Sun System

UPSC Prelims 2008, General Studies Paper I · Geography

Which one of the following straits is nearest to the International Date Line?

Answer: (b) Bering Strait

Explanation

Which strait is nearest to the International Date Line

Among these major world straits, one sits closest to the longitude line marking the International Date Line.

Option	Verdict	Reason
(a) Malacca Strait	Incorrect	Located in Southeast Asia, far from the Date Line
(b) Bering Strait	Correct	The Bering Strait, between Russia and Alaska, lies closest to the International Date Line, which runs roughly along the 180° longitude near this region
(c) Strait of Florida	Incorrect	Located in the Americas, far from the Date Line
(d) Strait of Gibraltar	Incorrect	Located between Europe and Africa, far from the Date Line

Bering Strait facts:

Point	Detail
Location	Between Russia and Alaska (USA)
Proximity	Closest major strait to the International Date Line

Answer: (b) Bering Strait.

(a) Incorrect. The Malacca Strait is in Southeast Asia, far from the Date Line.
(b) CORRECT. The Bering Strait lies closest to the International Date Line.
(c) Incorrect. The Strait of Florida is in the Americas, far from the Date Line.
(d) Incorrect. The Strait of Gibraltar is between Europe and Africa, far from the Date Line.

The Bering Strait, between Russia and Alaska, lies nearest to the International Date Line (which runs near the 180° longitude in that region).

The Bering Strait is nearest to the International Date Line.

Confusing the Bering Strait's proximity to the Date Line with other, more commercially famous straits.
Not knowing the International Date Line's approximate path near the 180° longitude.
Mixing up different straits' geographic locations relative to this line.

International Date Line runs near 180° longitude — the Bering Strait, between Russia and Alaska, sits closest to it.