UPSC Prelims 2023 Q8: Geography – Indian Rivers & Water Resources
Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin?
- (a) Cameroon
- (b) Nigeria
- (c) South Sudan
- (d) Uganda
Answer: (a) Cameroon
Explanation
The Congo Basin — the world's second-largest river basin
| Detail | Fact |
|---|---|
| River | Congo, the deepest river in the world; crosses the Equator twice |
| Rainforest | Second-largest tropical rainforest after the Amazon |
| Countries in the basin | DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, plus parts of Angola, Zambia and Tanzania |
Checking the options:
| Country | In the Congo Basin? | Its main drainage |
|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | Yes | South-east Cameroon drains into the Sangha, a Congo tributary |
| Nigeria | No | Niger–Benue basin |
| South Sudan | No | White Nile basin |
| Uganda | No | Nile basin (Lake Victoria, Lake Albert) |
Answer: (a) Cameroon.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. South-eastern Cameroon lies in the Congo Basin through the Sangha river.
- (b) Incorrect. Nigeria is drained by the Niger and Benue, not the Congo.
- (c) Incorrect. South Sudan is in the White Nile basin.
- (d) Incorrect. Uganda drains to the Nile through Lake Victoria and Lake Albert.
Key point
Congo Basin countries: DR Congo, Republic of Congo, Cameroon, CAR, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea. Uganda and South Sudan are Nile basin.
Remember
Cameroon is part of the Congo Basin; Uganda and South Sudan are in the Nile basin.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Uganda because it borders DR Congo; it drains into the Nile.
- Assuming every Central African country is in the Congo Basin; Nigeria belongs to the Niger system.
- Forgetting that the Congo River crosses the Equator twice, a common exam fact.
Exam tip
East of the Rift = Nile; west of the Rift = Congo. Use the Albertine Rift as the divider.
Sources
- NCERT Class XI — Fundamentals of Physical Geography (World drainage)
- Congo Basin Forest Partnership — Member countries