UPSC Prelims 2013 Q3: Geography – World Physical Geography
Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched? Geographical Feature : Region
- (a) Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia
- (b) Atlas Mountains : North - Western Africa
- (c) Guiana Highlands : South - Western Africa
- (d) Okavango Basin : Patagonia
Answer: (b) Atlas Mountains : North - Western Africa
Explanation
Geographical features and their regions
| Pair | Verdict | Actual region |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Abyssinian Plateau : Arabia | Incorrect | Ethiopia, in the Horn of Africa |
| (b) Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa | Correct | Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia |
| (c) Guiana Highlands : South-Western Africa | Incorrect | Northern South America (Venezuela, Guyana) |
| (d) Okavango Basin : Patagonia | Incorrect | Botswana, southern Africa; an inland delta |
More on each:
| Feature | Note |
|---|---|
| Atlas Mountains | Young fold mountains; separate the Mediterranean coast from the Sahara |
| Guiana Highlands | Home of Angel Falls, the world's highest waterfall |
| Okavango | A river that ends in a delta in the Kalahari |
| Patagonia | Cold desert plateau of southern Argentina |
Answer: (b) Atlas Mountains : North-Western Africa.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The Abyssinian Plateau is in Ethiopia, not Arabia.
- (b) CORRECT. The Atlas Mountains are in North-Western Africa.
- (c) Incorrect. The Guiana Highlands are in South America.
- (d) Incorrect. The Okavango Basin is in Botswana; Patagonia is in Argentina.
Key point
Atlas Mountains: north-west Africa. Abyssinian Plateau: Ethiopia. Guiana Highlands: South America. Okavango: Botswana. Patagonia: Argentina.
Remember
Atlas Mountains = Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Guiana (South America) with Guinea (Africa).
- Not knowing that Abyssinia is the old name of Ethiopia.
- Placing the Okavango outside Africa.
Exam tip
Abyssinia = Ethiopia. Guiana is not Guinea.
Sources
- Oxford School Atlas — Africa and South America physical maps
- G.C. Leong — Certificate Physical and Human Geography (landforms)