UPSC Prelims 2014 Q51: Geography – World Physical Geography
Turkey is located between
- (a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea
- (b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
- (c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
- (d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea
Answer: (b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
Explanation
Location of Turkey
Turkey lies between the Black Sea to the north and the Mediterranean Sea to the south.
| Side | Water body or neighbour |
|---|---|
| North | Black Sea |
| South | Mediterranean Sea, Syria, Iraq |
| West | Aegean Sea, Greece, Bulgaria |
| East | Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Iran |
The Turkish Straits:
| Strait or sea | Connects |
|---|---|
| Bosphorus | Black Sea and Sea of Marmara; Istanbul lies on it |
| Dardanelles | Sea of Marmara and Aegean Sea |
The other options:
| Option | What lies there |
|---|---|
| (a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea | The Caucasus: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan |
| (c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea | Egypt (Suez Canal) |
| (d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea | Israel and Jordan |
Answer: (b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea lie the Caucasus countries.
- (b) CORRECT. Turkey lies between the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
- (c) Incorrect. Between the Gulf of Suez and the Mediterranean lies Egypt.
- (d) Incorrect. Between the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea lie Israel and Jordan.
Key point
Turkey: Black Sea to the north, Mediterranean to the south, Aegean to the west; Bosphorus and Dardanelles link the Black Sea to the Aegean.
Remember
Turkey = between Black Sea and Mediterranean.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Black Sea with the Caspian Sea.
- Mixing up the Bosphorus and the Dardanelles.
- Forgetting that Turkey spans Europe and Asia.
Exam tip
Turkey is a land bridge with sea on three sides: Black, Aegean, Mediterranean.
Sources
- Oxford School Atlas — West Asia and Europe political map
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography (World map: seas and straits)