UPSC Prelims 2022 Q26: Geography – World Geography
The term "Levant" often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following
regions?
- (a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
- (b) Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
- (c) Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
- (d) The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
Answer: (a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
Explanation
The Levant — the eastern Mediterranean coast
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| Meaning | From French *lever*, "to rise" — the land where the sun rises, seen from Europe |
| Area | Lands along the eastern Mediterranean shore |
| Countries | Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan; often also Cyprus and southern Turkey (Hatay) |
| History | Crossroads of trade between Europe, Asia and Africa; part of the Fertile Crescent |
Other regional names in the options:
| Region | Name |
|---|---|
| North African coast, Egypt to Morocco | Maghreb (strictly Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania) |
| Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa | Gulf region and Horn of Africa — separate regions |
| Whole Mediterranean coast | Mediterranean basin |
Answer: (a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The Levant is the eastern Mediterranean region — Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine and Jordan.
- (b) Incorrect. The North African coast is called the Maghreb, not the Levant.
- (c) Incorrect. The Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa are separate regions, far from the Levant.
- (d) Incorrect. The Levant is only the eastern part of the Mediterranean, not the whole coast.
Key point
Levant = eastern Mediterranean: Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine, Jordan (+ Cyprus). Maghreb = north-west Africa.
Remember
The Levant is the eastern Mediterranean region.
Common mistakes
- Confusing the Levant (east) with the Maghreb (west, North Africa).
- Thinking the Levant covers all Mediterranean shores.
- Not linking 'Levant' to the sunrise idea of the east.
Exam tip
Levant = sunrise = east; Maghreb = sunset = west. Both names come from the direction of the sun.
Sources
- Oxford School Atlas — West Asia
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Levant