Question 83 from UPSC CSE 2024 - Geograph y

Question

Consider the following countries:
1. Finland
2. Germany
3. Norway
4. Russia
How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea?

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. Only two

Strategy: Identify countries bordering the North Sea by evaluating their geographic position. Germany and Norway possess direct coastlines along the North Sea. Exclude Finland and Russia as their coastlines are along the Baltic Sea. This confirms only two countries from the set border the North Sea.

Key Info: The North Sea is a marginal sea of the Atlantic Ocean, situated between Great Britain, Scandinavia, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

### Countries with North Sea Coastlines
*   United Kingdom
*   Norway
*   Denmark
*   Germany
*   The Netherlands
*   Belgium
*   France

Norway's North Sea coast begins at the Skagerrak and extends northward. Germany's North Sea coast is located in its northwest, encompassing regions like Lower Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein.

### Countries Not Bordering the North Sea
*   **Finland**: Located east of Sweden, bordering the Baltic Sea.
*   **Russia**: Its northwest borders the Baltic Sea (Gulf of Finland). While Russia has a long Arctic Ocean coastline, its western maritime border is with the Baltic Sea, not the North Sea.

### Other Regional Seas and Connections
*   **Baltic Sea**: Bordered by Finland, Russia, Sweden, Poland, and the Baltic States.
*   **Barents Sea**: Situated north of Norway and Russia.
*   **English Channel**: Connects the North Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
*   **Skagerrak and Kattegat straits**: Connect the North Sea to the Baltic Sea.

Familiarity with European physical geography, particularly concerning marginal seas, is commonly assessed in examinations like the UPSC.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: Only one

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: Only three

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: All four

Consider the following countries: Finland Germany Norway Russia How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea?

Consider the following countries:

Finland

Germany

Norway

Russia
How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea?