Test: Asia- Physical - UPSC MCQ

The Himalaya mountains separate the Indian subcontinent from the rest of Asia. They extend for about 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles) and are so vast that they are composed of three different mountain belts. The northernmost belt, known as the Great Himalayas, has the highest average elevation and contains the highest mountain summit in the world, Mount Everest.

The Iranian plateau covers more than 3.6 million square kilometers (1.4 million square miles) and encompasses most of Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. It is not uniformly flat but contains some high mountains and low river basins. The plateau is also home to two large deserts, the Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut.

The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world. It moves east from the glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau to the river's mouth on the East China Sea. The Yangtze is considered the lifeblood of China as it drains one-fifth of the country's land area, is home to one-third of its population, and contributes greatly to China's economy.

The Rub' al Khali desert, also known as the Empty Quarter, covers an area larger than France across Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. It holds roughly half as much sand as Africa's Sahara desert, making it the world's largest sand sea.

Lake Baikal, located in southern Russia, is the deepest lake in the world, reaching a depth of 1,620 meters (5,315 feet). It contains 20 percent of the world's unfrozen freshwater, making it the largest reservoir on Earth. Lake Baikal is also the world's oldest lake, at 25 million years old.

The Persian Gulf has an area of more than 234,000 square kilometers (90,000 square miles) and borders several countries including Iran, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq. It is subject to high rates of evaporation, making it shallow and extremely salty. The seabed beneath the Persian Gulf contains an estimated 50 percent of the world's oil reserves.

The Bay of Bengal is the largest bay in the world and is bordered by Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and Burma (Myanmar). It is located in the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean and covers an area of about 2.2 million square kilometers (850,000 square miles). The bay is known for its significant marine biodiversity and is influenced by the monsoon winds, which bring heavy rainfall to the surrounding regions.

The plains, steppes, and deserts are a major physical region of Asia. This region is characterized by vast expanses of flat, unforested grasslands known as steppes. It also includes arid and desert areas such as the Gobi Desert in Mongolia and the Rub' al Khali desert in Saudi Arabia. These areas have unique ecosystems adapted to the harsh conditions of low rainfall and extreme temperatures.

The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia and the third longest river in the world, after the Amazon and Nile Rivers. It stretches approximately 6,300 kilometers (3,915 miles) from its source in the glaciers of the Tibetan Plateau to its mouth on the East China Sea. The Yangtze River plays a crucial role in China's economy and supports one-third of the country's population. It is often referred to as the "lifeblood of China" and has been a significant cultural and historical landmark in the region.

The freshwater environments in Asia are diverse and include notable features such as Lake Baikal. Lake Baikal, located in southern Russia, is the deepest lake in the world, reaching a depth of 1,620 meters (5,315 feet). It holds approximately 20 percent of the world's unfrozen freshwater, making it the largest reservoir of freshwater on Earth. Lake Baikal is also recognized as the world's oldest lake, with an estimated age of 25 million years. Its unique ecosystem supports numerous endemic species and contributes significantly to the region's biodiversity.