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All questions of Geographical Discoveries for UPSC CSE Exam

The city of Timbuktu, known for its historical significance as a center of learning, is located in which modern-day country?
  • a)
    Egypt
  • b)
    Mali
  • c)
    Iraq
  • d)
    India
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Deepa Iyer answered
Timbuktu, historically an important center of trade and Islamic scholarship, is located in the modern-day country of Mali in West Africa. It was a significant city along the trans-Saharan trade routes.

The Cape of Good Hope was discovered by:
  • a)
    Vasco da Gama
  • b)
    Ferdinand Magellan
  • c)
    Bartholomeu Dias
  • d)
    Marco Polo
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Kavita Shah answered
Bartholomeu Dias, a Portuguese explorer, discovered the Cape of Good Hope in 1488 during his exploration of the southern tip of Africa. This discovery opened up a sea route to Asia, which later became crucial for trade.

Who discovered the sea route to India, opening up direct trade with Asia?
  • a)
    Christopher Columbus
  • b)
    Vasco da Gama
  • c)
    Ferdinand Magellan
  • d)
    Marco Polo
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Deepa Iyer answered
Vasco da Gama, a Portuguese explorer, discovered the sea route to India in 1498. His successful voyage around the Cape of Good Hope enabled direct trade between Europe and Asia, bypassing the overland Silk Road routes.

Which of the following explorers is known for his voyages to the Pacific Ocean and mapping its islands and coastlines?
  • a)
    Vasco da Gama
  • b)
    Ferdinand Magellan
  • c)
    Captain James Cook
  • d)
    Marco Polo
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Vikram Verma answered
Captain James Cook, a British explorer, is known for his voyages to the Pacific Ocean, where he mapped and explored various islands and coastlines. He made significant contributions to the knowledge of the Pacific region and its peoples.

Who is credited with being the first person to circumnavigate the Earth?
  • a)
    Vasco da Gama
  • b)
    Christopher Columbus
  • c)
    Ferdinand Magellan
  • d)
    Marco Polo
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Sagar Chavan answered
First Person to Circumnavigate the Earth:
Ferdinand Magellan:
- Ferdinand Magellan is credited with being the first person to circumnavigate the Earth.
- He was a Portuguese explorer who led the first expedition to sail around the world.
- Magellan set out on his voyage in 1519 with a fleet of five ships and around 270 men.
- The expedition faced many challenges, including storms, mutinies, and conflicts with indigenous peoples.
- Magellan was killed in the Philippines in 1521, but the expedition continued under the leadership of Juan Sebastián Elcano.
- The surviving crew members completed the journey in 1522, making them the first to circumnavigate the Earth.
Significance of Magellan's Voyage:
- Magellan's voyage proved that the Earth was round and not flat, as previously believed.
- It also opened up new trade routes and expanded European knowledge of the world.
- The circumnavigation of the Earth was a significant achievement in the Age of Exploration and had a lasting impact on world history.

The discovery of the New World is often attributed to:
  • a)
    Christopher Columbus
  • b)
    Vasco da Gama
  • c)
    Marco Polo
  • d)
    Captain James Cook
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Priya Menon answered
Christopher Columbus, an Italian explorer sailing under the Spanish flag, is credited with discovering the New World (the Americas) in 1492. His voyages opened the door for European exploration and colonization of the Americas.

The explorer who led the first successful expedition to reach the South Pole was:
  • a)
    Roald Amundsen
  • b)
    Robert Falcon Scott
  • c)
    James Cook
  • d)
    Ernest Shackleton
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Roald Amundsen, a Norwegian explorer, led the first successful expedition to reach the South Pole in December 1911. He and his team reached the pole ahead of Robert Falcon Scott's British expedition.

The Strait of Magellan is located in which continent?
  • a)
    Europe
  • b)
    Africa
  • c)
    South America
  • d)
    Australia
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Sanjay Rana answered
The Strait of Magellan is a navigable sea route in South America, connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It is named after the explorer Ferdinand Magellan, who first navigated it during his voyage around the world.

The Great Barrier Reef is found off the coast of which country?
  • a)
    Australia
  • b)
    Brazil
  • c)
    India
  • d)
    South Africa
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Suresh Reddy answered
The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest coral reef system and is located off the coast of Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a popular destination for divers and tourists.

The mountain range that separates Europe and Asia is called:
  • a)
    The Andes
  • b)
    The Alps
  • c)
    The Himalayas
  • d)
    The Ural Mountains
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Vikram Verma answered
The Ural Mountains form a natural boundary between the continents of Europe and Asia, running from north to south in Russia.

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