UPSC Prelims 2014 Q35: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Consider the following countries:
1. Denmark
2. Japan
3. Russian Federation
4. United Kingdom
5. United States of America
Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 2, 3 and 4
- (c) 1, 4 and 5
- (d) 1, 3 and 5
Answer: (d) 1, 3 and 5
Explanation
Arctic Council
Set up in 1996 by the Ottawa Declaration.
Only the eight Arctic States are members.
| Country in the question | Member? |
|---|---|
| 1. Denmark | Yes (through Greenland) |
| 2. Japan | No; observer |
| 3. Russian Federation | Yes |
| 4. United Kingdom | No; observer |
| 5. United States of America | Yes (through Alaska) |
The eight members: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, United States.
Observers and others:
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Observer States | India (since 2013), China, Japan, South Korea, United Kingdom |
| Permanent Participants | Six organisations of Arctic indigenous peoples |
Answer: (d) 1, 3 and 5.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Japan is only an observer, not a member.
- (b) Incorrect. Japan and the United Kingdom are observers.
- (c) Incorrect. The United Kingdom is an observer, and Russia is left out.
- (d) CORRECT. Denmark, the Russian Federation and the United States are members.
Key point
Arctic Council (1996): Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, US. India has been an observer since 2013.
Remember
Arctic Council = eight Arctic States.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting that Denmark qualifies through Greenland.
- Counting observers such as Japan and the UK as members.
- Thinking India is a member; it is an observer.
Exam tip
Members must have land inside the Arctic Circle. Japan and the UK do not.
Sources
- Arctic Council — Member States and Observers
- Ministry of Earth Sciences — India's Arctic Policy (2022)