Question 82 from UPSC CSE 2014 - Geography

Question

Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the 'Ten Degree Channel'?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Andaman and Nicobar

Strategy: Focus on Indian geography. The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are well-known regions in Indian territory. The Ten Degree Channel is a famous dividing line taught in geography syllabi. Other options mention geographically distant or unrelated pairs, making Andaman and Nicobar the only feasible answer.

Key Info: **The Ten Degree Channel**

The Ten Degree Channel is a strait in the Bay of Bengal, approximately 150 km wide, that separates the Andaman Islands to the north from the Nicobar Islands to the south. It lies along the 10° North latitude, hence its name. This channel is significant for Indian maritime administration, ecological zoning, and limited navigation.

**Andaman and Nicobar Islands**

These islands are Indian Union Territories in the eastern Indian Ocean. The Andaman group includes North, Middle, and South Andaman, among others. The Nicobar group includes Great Nicobar, Car Nicobar, and several smaller islands. These islands are of strategic and ecological importance.

**Other Island Pairs**

*   **Sumatra and Java:** These are Indonesian islands, divided by the Sunda Strait, not the Ten Degree Channel.
*   **Maldives and Lakshadweep:** These are distinct archipelagos in the Indian Ocean, separated by vast maritime distances with no named strait between them.

In summary, only the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are geographically divided by the Ten Degree Channel.

Answer

Option B: Nicobar and Sumatra

Answer

Option C: Maldives and Lakshadweep

Answer

Option D: Sumatra and Java