Which of the following is geographically closest to Great Nicobar ?
- (a) Sumatra ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) Borneo
- (c) Java
- (d) Sri Lanka
Why the answer is (a)
• Great Nicobar, India's southernmost island, lies only about 150 km north-west of the northern tip of Sumatra (Indonesia) across the Great Channel; Indira Point is closer to Sumatra than to the Indian mainland — option (a).
• Sri Lanka (d) is about 1,300 km west; Java (c) and Borneo (b) are far to the south-east beyond Sumatra.
• Hence option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) Borneo
- Borneo is far to the south-east, beyond Sumatra.
- (c) Java
- Java lies south-east of Sumatra, much farther away.
- (d) Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka is about 1,300 km away.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.