Question 69 from UPSC CSE 2022 - Geography

Question

The term 'Levant' often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores

Strategy: To identify the correct region:
*   Focus on 'Levant' which consistently refers to the eastern Mediterranean.
*   Disregard options mentioning North Africa (the Maghreb), the wider coastal Mediterranean, the Persian Gulf, and the Horn of Africa, as these are unrelated.
*   The correct option aligns with the established geographical understanding of the term.

Key Info: ## The Levant Region

The Levant is a geographical and cultural region in the Eastern Mediterranean.

### Included Areas
It conventionally includes present-day:
*   Syria
*   Lebanon
*   Jordan
*   Israel
*   Palestine
*   Often parts of southern Turkey and the island of Cyprus

### Etymology
The term 'Levant' originates from the French 'lever' (to rise), referencing the direction of the sunrise (the East).

### Historical Significance
Historically, the Levant served as a crossroads of religions, languages, and civilizations, central to ancient trade routes and empire interests.

### Distinctions from Other Regions
*   **Maghreb:** Refers to North African countries from Morocco to Libya.
*   **Persian Gulf & Horn of Africa:** These are separated by the Arabian Peninsula and are not related to the Levant.
*   **Wider Mediterranean Coastal Areas:** These encompass many distinct regions beyond the Levant, including southern Europe and North Africa. The term 'Levant' remains specific to the eastern Mediterranean littoral.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option B: Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea