UPSC Prelims 2015 Q77: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Which one of the following countries of South - West Asia does not open out to the
Mediterranean Sea?
- (a) Syria
- (b) Jordan
- (c) Lebanon
- (d) Israel
Answer: (b) Jordan
Explanation
South-West Asian countries and the Mediterranean Sea
| Country | Opens out to the Mediterranean Sea? | Sea access |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Syria | Yes | Ports of Latakia and Tartus |
| (b) Jordan | No | Only the Gulf of Aqaba on the Red Sea; also touches the land-locked Dead Sea |
| (c) Lebanon | Yes | Port of Beirut |
| (d) Israel | Yes | Ports of Haifa and Ashdod |
Countries on the eastern Mediterranean, north to south:
| Order | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turkey |
| 2 | Syria |
| 3 | Lebanon |
| 4 | Israel (with the Gaza Strip) |
| 5 | Egypt |
Israel and the West Bank lie between Jordan and the sea.
Answer: (b) Jordan.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Syria has a Mediterranean coast.
- (b) CORRECT. Jordan does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea.
- (c) Incorrect. Lebanon lies wholly on the Mediterranean coast.
- (d) Incorrect. Israel has a long Mediterranean coast.
Key point
Jordan has no Mediterranean coast; its only port is Aqaba on the Red Sea. Syria, Lebanon and Israel all face the Mediterranean.
Remember
Jordan = Red Sea (Aqaba), not Mediterranean.
Common mistakes
- Treating the Dead Sea as part of the Mediterranean.
- Assuming every Levant country has a Mediterranean coast.
- Missing the word 'not' in the question.
Exam tip
Jordan sits behind Israel. Its only sea outlet is Aqaba.
Sources
- Oxford School Atlas — West Asia political map
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography (World map: seas and bordering countries)