UPSC Prelims 2017 Q54: Geography – World Political Geography & Borders
Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries?
1. Jordan
2. Iraq
3. Lebanon
4. Syria
Select the correct answer
using the code given below:
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 3 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: (c) 3 and 4 only
Explanation
Countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea
| Country | Border on the Mediterranean Sea? | Its actual sea access |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Jordan | No | Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea); also the land-locked Dead Sea |
| 2. Iraq | No | Persian Gulf |
| 3. Lebanon | Yes | Mediterranean coast (Beirut) |
| 4. Syria | Yes | Mediterranean coast (Latakia, Tartus) |
The eastern Mediterranean coast (the Levant), north to south:
| Order | Country |
|---|---|
| 1 | Turkey |
| 2 | Syria |
| 3 | Lebanon |
| 4 | Israel (and the Gaza Strip) |
| 5 | Egypt |
Israel lies between Jordan and the sea.
Answer: (c) 3 and 4 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Jordan and Iraq do not touch the Mediterranean Sea.
- (b) Incorrect. Iraq opens only to the Persian Gulf, and Syria is left out.
- (c) CORRECT. Only Lebanon and Syria have the Mediterranean Sea as a border.
- (d) Incorrect. Jordan is cut off from the Mediterranean by Israel.
Key point
Mediterranean (Levant coast): Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Egypt. Jordan reaches the Red Sea at Aqaba; Iraq reaches the Persian Gulf.
Remember
Mediterranean: Syria and Lebanon, not Jordan or Iraq.
Common mistakes
- Including Jordan because it is close to the Mediterranean Sea.
- Confusing the Dead Sea (a salt lake) with the Mediterranean.
- Forgetting that Iraq's only coast is on the Persian Gulf.
Exam tip
Remember the Levant coast as Turkey - Syria - Lebanon - Israel - Egypt. Jordan and Iraq sit behind it.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography (World map: seas and bordering countries)
- Oxford School Atlas — West Asia political map