UPSC Prelims 2024 GS Paper I · Q99 of 96 Geography easy

The longest border between any two countries in the world is between :

  1. (a) Canada and the United States of America . ✓ UPSC's answer
  2. (b) Chile and Argentina
  3. (c) China and India
  4. (d) Kazakhstan and Russian Federation

Why the answer is (a)

• The Canada–United States border is the longest international boundary in the world at about 8,890 km, including the 2,475-km Alaska–Yukon/British Columbia section.

• Kazakhstan–Russia is the longest continuous land border (about 7,600 km) but is shorter overall than the Canada–US frontier.

• Chile–Argentina, along the Andes, is about 5,300 km, and China–India (including disputed sections) about 3,500 km.

• Hence option (a).

• The Canada–US line is also called 'the longest undefended border'.

Why the other options are wrong

(b) Chile and Argentina
Chile-Argentina is about 5,300 km, shorter than Canada-USA.
(c) China and India
China-India is about 3,500 km.
(d) Kazakhstan and Russian Federation
Kazakhstan-Russia is the longest continuous border but shorter in total than Canada-USA.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2024, held on 16 June 2024. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.

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