Asia: Location, Political Divisions and Physical Features - Questions & Answers
A. Fill in the blanks.
1. Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world, while the Dead Sea is the lowest point on the surface of the Earth.
2. The wettest places on Earth are Mawsynram and Cherrapunji in Meghalaya, India.
3. The Suez Canal separates Asia from Africa.
4. The Himalayas run into Myanmar as the Arakan Yoma.
5. The Tarim Basin is a depression that lies between the Tian Shan in the north and the Kunlun to the south.
6. The Mekong and Chao Phraya rivers make up the plains of Indochina.
7. The Ob, Yenisey and Lena rivers drain into the Arctic Ocean.
B. Tick the sentences that are true. Correct the others.
1. Most of Asia lies in the Northern and Western hemispheres.
False. Most of Asia lies in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres.
2. The Equator is the only major latitude that passes through Asia.
False. The Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the Arctic Circle are the major latitudes that pass through Asia.
3. The Bering Strait separates Asia from Europe.
False. The Bering Strait separates Asia from North America. (The Ural Mountains and Ural River separate Asia from Europe).
4. The Himalayas radiate from the Armenian Knot.
False. The Himalayas radiate from the Pamir Knot.
5. Singapore and Hong Kong are islands.
True.
C. Multiple choice questions.
1. This is one of the least densely populated regions in the world:
a) Indochina
b) the Deccan Plateau
c) Mongolia
d) Tibet
Answer: c) Mongolia
2. This is a landlocked country:
a) India
b) Japan
c) Mongolia
d) Sri Lanka
Answer: c) Mongolia
3. The Yangtze River flows into the:
a) Arctic Ocean
b) Pacific Ocean
c) Indian Ocean
d) Mediterranean Sea
Answer: b) Pacific Ocean
4. This is the largest lake in the world:
a) Caspian Sea
b) Lake Baikal
c) Lake Superior
d) Dead Sea
Answer: a) Caspian Sea
5. The Anatolian Plateau is located in:
a) Iran
b) Turkey
c) Tibet
d) India
Answer: b) Turkey
D. Match the columns.
1. Pamir Knot — (a) Highest plateau
2. Gobi — (b) Cold desert
3. Mesopotamia — (c) Tigris and Euphrates
4. Ural Mountains — (d) Boundary between Asia and Europe
5. Sunda Islands — (e) Indonesia
Answer:
1. (a), 2. (b), 3. (c), 4. (d), 5. (e)
E. Answer in brief.
1. What is a "knot"? Name the two knots found in Asia.
A "knot" is a central upland region from which several mountain ranges radiate or converge. The two major knots found in Asia are the Pamir Knot and the Armenian Knot.
2. Mention the water bodies that surround the continent of Asia.
Asia is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean in the north, the Pacific Ocean in the east, the Indian Ocean in the south, and the Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, and Caspian Sea to the west.
3. Define a peninsula. Name the three large peninsulas in Southern Asia.
A peninsula is a piece of land surrounded by water on three sides. The three large peninsulas in Southern Asia are the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian Peninsula (Deccan), and the Indochina Peninsula.
4. What are the "Northern Lowlands"?
The Northern Lowlands are a vast, triangular plain in northern Asia, extending from the Ural Mountains in the west to the Bering Strait in the east. They include the West Siberian Plain and the Turan Plain.
F. Give reasons.
1. Asia is called a "continent of contrasts".
Asia is called a continent of contrasts because it contains the world's highest peaks (Mt. Everest) and lowest depressions (Dead Sea), extremely hot places (Ahwaz) and the coldest inhabited places (Siberia), as well as the wettest regions (Mawsynram) alongside vast, arid deserts.
2. The rivers of Northern Asia are not suitable for navigation during winter.
The rivers of Northern Asia, such as the Ob, Yenisey, and Lena, flow through the sub-arctic and arctic regions. During winter, these rivers freeze completely, making them unsuitable for navigation.
3. The Mesopotamian Plain is one of the most fertile regions.
The Mesopotamian Plain is very fertile because it is formed by the rich alluvial deposits brought down by the Tigris and Euphrates rivers over thousands of years.
G. Answer in detail.
1. Describe the Central Highlands of Asia.
The Central Highlands consist of a series of high mountain ranges and plateaus that radiate from the Pamir Knot. These include the Himalayas, Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and Tian Shan. This region contains some of the highest peaks in the world and serves as the source for many major Asian rivers. Between these mountain ranges lie high plateaus like the Plateau of Tibet, often called the "Roof of the World."
2. Explain the features of the Great River Valleys of Asia.
The Great River Valleys are formed by large perennial rivers. Key features include: (a) They are composed of thick layers of fertile alluvium, making them ideal for agriculture. (b) They are the most densely populated areas of the continent. (c) Major valleys include the Tigris-Euphrates (Mesopotamia), the Indo-Gangetic Plain, and the basins of the Yangtze and Huang He rivers.
H. Map work.
On an outline map of Asia, mark and label the following:
- Himalayas and Ural Mountains
- Plateau of Tibet and Deccan Plateau
- Gobi Desert
- Rivers: Ganga, Yangtze, and Ob
- Caspian Sea and Lake Baikal
(This is a practical activity to be completed on a physical map of Asia following the geographical locations described in the chapter.)
Question 1What percentage of the Earth's land surface does Asia occupy?
Question 2Which continent is the largest in terms of both size and population?
Question 3Which point in Asia is the lowest on the surface of the Earth?
Question 4What is the highest peak in the world, located in Asia?
Question 5Which place in Siberia is known as one of the coldest places on Earth?
Question 6Which two places in Meghalaya, India, are the wettest places on Earth?
Question 7Which region in Asia has a population density of 1,000 persons/sq km?
Question 8Which country has one of the least densely populated regions with just 2 persons/sq km?
Question 9Most of Asia is situated in which hemisphere?
Question 10Which line of latitude does NOT pass through Asia?
Question 11Which strait separates Asia from North America?
Question 12What man-made structure separates Asia from Africa?
Question 13Which ocean lies to the north of Asia?
Question 14Which ocean lies to the east of Asia?
Question 15Which ocean lies to the south of Asia?
Question 16Which mountains form part of the boundary separating Asia from Europe?
Question 17Why does the International Date Line curve as it passes through the Bering Strait?
Question 18As of 2017, how many countries did the UN recognize in Asia?
Question 19Which of these is recognized as a dependency by the UN?
Question 20Which region was referred to as the 'Middle East' by Europeans?
Question 21Which region was referred to as the 'Far East' by Europeans?
Question 22Which country is part of South Asia?
Question 23Which country is part of Southeast Asia?
Question 24Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are part of which regional division?
Question 25Northern Asia primarily includes which region?
Question 26What is the shape of the Siberian Plain?
Question 27Which is the largest continuous plain in the world?
Question 28Which three rivers drain the Siberian Lowlands?
Question 29Into which ocean do the Ob, Yenisey, and Lena rivers flow?
Question 30Why do the Siberian rivers form marshes and swamps?
Question 31Where is the Turan Plain located?
Question 32Which two deserts are found in the Turan Plain?
Question 33Into which water body do the Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers flow?
Question 34What is a 'knot' in physical geography?
Question 35Which are the two main mountain knots in Asia?
Question 36The Pamir Knot is primarily located in which country?
Question 37Which is the highest plateau in the world, known as the 'roof of the world'?
Question 38The Plateau of Tibet lies between which two mountain ranges?
Question 39Which is the second highest peak in the world?
Question 40In which mountain range is K2 located?
Question 41The Himalayas continue into Myanmar as which range?
Question 42Which mountain range separates South Asia from Central Asia, running southwest from the Pamir Knot?
Question 43The Elburz Mountains are located in which country?
Question 44Which mountain range runs along the borders of Iran, Iraq, and southern Turkey?
Question 45The Plateau of Anatolia lies between which two mountain ranges?
Question 46Where is the Plateau of Anatolia located?
Question 47The Tarim Basin lies between which two mountain ranges?
Question 48Which desert lies east of the Tarim Basin?
Question 49Which of the following is NOT one of the three major southern plateaus of Asia?
Question 50What type of rocks primarily make up the Plateaus of the South?
Statement 1Asia is the largest continent in the world in terms of both size and population.
Statement 2Asia occupies almost 50% of the land on the Earth's surface.
Statement 3Both the highest peak and the lowest point on the Earth's surface are situated in Asia.
Statement 4The Dead Sea is the highest point on the surface of the Earth.
Statement 5Mawsynram and Cherrapunji in India are among the wettest places on Earth.
Statement 6The Indo-Gangetic Plain has a very low population density.
Statement 7Mongolia has a population density of just 2 persons per square km.
Statement 8Asia is situated almost entirely in the Southern Hemisphere.
Statement 9The Equator passes through the islands of Indonesia.
Statement 10The Tropic of Capricorn passes through Asia.
Statement 11The Arctic Circle passes through the northern part of Asia.
Statement 12The International Date Line curves as it passes through the Bering Strait to avoid splitting Russia's time zones.
Statement 13To the west, Asia is separated from Europe by the Rocky Mountains.
Statement 14The Suez Canal separates Asia from Africa.
Statement 15The Bering Strait separates Asia from North America.
Statement 16According to the UN (2017), there are 48 countries in Asia.
Statement 17Russia is counted as part of Asia by the United Nations.
Statement 18Europeans referred to West Asia as the 'Middle East'.
Statement 19Europeans used to call South Asia the 'Far East'.
Statement 20Central Asia includes countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Statement 21The Great Siberian Plain is the largest continuous plain in the world.
Statement 22The Siberian Plain is roughly circular in shape.
Statement 23The rivers Ob, Yenisey, and Lena flow northwards into the Arctic Ocean.
Statement 24The mouths of the Siberian rivers remain frozen during the winter months.
Statement 25The Turan Plain lies to the north of the Ural Mountains.
Statement 26The Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts are located in the Turan Plain.
Statement 27The Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers flow into the Caspian Sea.
Statement 28The Pamir Knot is located mostly in Tajikistan.
Statement 29The Himalayas radiate from the Armenian Knot.
Statement 30Mt Everest is the highest peak in the world.
Statement 31K2 (Mt Godwin Austen) is located in the Himalayan Range.
Statement 32The Plateau of Tibet lies between the Himalayas and the Kunlun Mountains.
Statement 33The Plateau of Tibet is known as the 'roof of the world'.
Statement 34The Tian Shan Mountains stretch westwards from the Armenian Knot.
Statement 35The Hindu Kush Range separates South Asia from Central Asia.
Statement 36The Elburz Mountains run along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.
Statement 37The Zagros Range is the largest mountain range in China.
Statement 38The Plateau of Anatolia lies between the Pontic and Taurus Mountains.
Statement 39The Tarim Basin is a depression located south of the Himalayas.
Statement 40The Gobi Desert lies to the east of the Tarim Basin.
Statement 41The Plateaus of the South are made up of young, soft sedimentary rocks.
Statement 42The Arabian Plateau is steep in the west and slopes towards the east.
Statement 43The Deccan Plateau lies between the Western and Eastern Ghats of India.
Statement 44The northwestern part of the Deccan Plateau is volcanic in nature.
Statement 45The Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau is located in southwest India.
Statement 46The Yangtze and Huang He rivers originate from the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau.
Statement 47River valleys in Asia are some of the most densely populated regions of the world.
Statement 48The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow into the Red Sea.
Statement 49The Indus Plain is spread over northwest India and Pakistan.
Statement 50The Yangtze is the longest river in Asia.
Question 1Asia occupies almost ______ of the land on the Earth's surface.
Question 2Asia is the largest continent in the world in terms of both size and ______.
Question 3The lowest point on the surface of the Earth, situated in Asia, is the ______.
Question 4The highest peak in the world, located in the Himalayas, is ______.
Question 5Oymyakon, one of the coldest places on Earth, is located in ______.
Question 6The wettest places on Earth, Mawsynram and Cherrapunji, are located in the state of ______ in India.
Question 7The ______ Plain has a population density of 1,000 persons per square km.
Question 8______ is one of the least densely populated countries with just 2 persons per square km.
Question 9Asia is situated almost entirely in the ______ Hemisphere.
Question 10The three important lines of latitude passing through Asia are the Equator, the Tropic of Cancer, and the ______.
Question 11The International Date Line curves as it passes through the ______ to avoid splitting Russia's time zones.
Question 12To the north of Asia lies the ______ Ocean.
Question 13To the east of Asia lies the ______ Ocean.
Question 14To the south of Asia lies the ______ Ocean.
Question 15The ______ Mountains form part of the boundary separating Asia from Europe.
Question 16The ______ Canal separates Asia from Africa.
Question 17According to the UN, as of 2017, there were ______ countries in Asia.
Question 18Europeans referred to West Asia as the ______ because it was midway to the east of Europe.
Question 19Europeans used to call East Asia the ______.
Question 20Central Asia includes countries like Kazakhstan and ______.
Question 21The Northern Lowlands of Asia consist largely of the ______ Plain.
Question 22The Siberian Plain is roughly ______ in shape.
Question 23The Ob, Yenisey, and Lena rivers drain into the ______ Ocean.
Question 24During winter, the mouths of the Siberian rivers remain ______.
Question 25The Turan Plain includes two deserts: the Karakum and the ______.
Question 26The Turan Plain is drained by the Syr Darya and ______ rivers.
Question 27The Syr Darya and Amu Darya rivers flow into the ______ Sea.
Question 28The Central Mountain Mass is a mosaic of young ______ mountain ranges.
Question 29Mountain ranges in Asia radiate from central points known as ______.
Question 30The two main mountain knots in Asia are the Pamir Knot and the ______ Knot.
Question 31The Pamir Knot lies mostly in the country of ______.
Question 32Plateaus that lie between two mountain ranges are called ______ plateaus.
Question 33The ______ are the southernmost ranges radiating from the Pamir Knot.
Question 34The Himalayas continue into Myanmar as the ______.
Question 35Mt Godwin Austen is also known as ______.
Question 36The ______ Range runs north of the Himalayas.
Question 37The Plateau of Tibet lies between the Himalayas and the ______ Mountains.
Question 38The Plateau of Tibet is known as the ______ of the world.
Question 39The Tian Shan Mountains stretch eastwards from the ______ Knot.
Question 40The ______ Range runs southwestwards from the Pamir Knot, separating South Asia from Central Asia.
Question 41The Elburz Mountains run along the southern coast of the ______ Sea.
Question 42The Zagros Range extends along the borders of Iran, Iraq, and southern ______.
Question 43The Plateau of Iran lies between the Elburz and ______ mountains.
Question 44The Plateau of Anatolia lies between the Pontic and ______ Mountains.
Question 45The Tarim Basin lies between the Tian Shan and the ______.
Question 46East of the Tarim Basin lies the ______ Desert.
Question 47The three major southern plateaus are the Plateau of Arabia, the Deccan Plateau, and the Plateau of ______.
Question 48The southern plateaus are made up of old, hard ______ rocks.
Question 49The Arabian Plateau is steep in the west and slopes towards the ______.
Question 50The largest desert of Asia, the ______ Desert, lies on the Arabian Plateau.
Question 1
What percentage of Earth's land surface does Asia occupy?
Question 2
Which is the largest continent in the world?
Question 3
What is the highest peak in the world?
Question 4
What is the lowest point on the surface of the Earth?
Question 5
Which Siberian town is one of the coldest places on Earth?
Question 6
Which Indian state contains the wettest places on Earth?
Question 7
What is the most densely populated region in Asia?
Question 8
Which country has the lowest population density in Asia?
Question 9
Which hemisphere is Asia primarily located in?
Question 10
Which strait separates Asia from North America?
Question 11
Which canal separates Asia from Africa?
Question 12
Which ocean lies to the north of Asia?
Question 13
Which ocean lies to the east of Asia?
Question 14
Which ocean lies to the south of Asia?
Question 15
Which mountain range separates Asia from Europe?
Question 16
How many countries were in Asia as of 2017?
Question 17
What region did Europeans call the 'Middle East'?
Question 18
What region did Europeans call the 'Far East'?
Question 19
What is the capital of Afghanistan?
Question 20
What is the capital of China?
Question 21
What is the capital of India?
Question 22
What is the capital of Indonesia?
Question 23
What is the capital of Iran?
Question 24
What is the capital of Iraq?
Question 25
What is the capital of Japan?
Question 26
What is the capital of South Korea?
Question 27
What is the capital of Thailand?
Question 28
What is the capital of Turkey?
Question 29
What is the capital of Vietnam?
Question 30
What is the largest continuous plain in the world?
Question 31
What is the shape of the Siberian Plain?
Question 32
Name one of the three rivers draining the Siberian Plain.
Question 33
Which ocean do the Siberian rivers flow into?
Question 34
What happens to the mouths of Siberian rivers in winter?
Question 35
Which plain lies south of the Urals?
Question 36
Name one desert found in the Turan Plain.
Question 37
Which sea do the Syr Darya and Amu Darya flow into?
Question 38
What term refers to a central point from which mountain ranges radiate?
Question 39
Name the mountain knot located in Tajikistan.
Question 40
Name the mountain knot in Turkey.
Question 41
What are plateaus between two mountain ranges called?
Question 42
Which mountain range is the southernmost from the Pamir Knot?
Question 43
What is the name of the Himalayan extension in Myanmar?
Question 44
What is the second highest peak in the world?
Question 45
In which range is K2 located?
Question 46
Which plateau is known as the 'roof of the world'?
Question 47
Which range runs southwest from the Pamir Knot?
Question 48
Which mountains run along the southern coast of the Caspian Sea?
Question 49
Which represents the largest mountain range in the Iran/Iraq/Turkey border region?
Question 50
Which plateau lies between the Pontic and Taurus mountains?
Question 1
Why is Asia often described as a 'continent of contrasts'? Provide detailed reasons to support this description.
Question 2
Describe the latitudinal and longitudinal extent of the Asian continent.
Question 3
Explain the geographical location of Asia in relation to the major oceans and continents surrounding it.
Question 4
List and describe the six major regional divisions of Asia.
Question 5
What are the five major physical divisions of Asia based on relief?
Question 6
Write a detailed note on the Northern Lowlands of Asia, including the Siberian Plain.
Question 7
Why do the rivers of the Siberian Plain often cause floods and form swamps?
Question 8
Describe the Central Mountain Mass of Asia and the concept of 'Mountain Knots'.
Question 9
Name and describe the mountain ranges radiating from the Pamir Knot.
Question 10
Describe the Plateau of Tibet. Why is it called the 'Roof of the World'?
Question 11
Explain the layout of the mountain ranges radiating from the Armenian Knot.
Question 12
What are intermontane plateaus? Give three examples from Asia.
Question 13
Describe the Tarim Basin and its surrounding geographical features.
Question 14
Provide a detailed description of the Plateaus of the South.
Question 15
Describe the geographical features of the Arabian Plateau.
Question 16
Write a note on the Deccan Plateau's location, formation, and drainage.
Question 17
Describe the Plateau of Indochina and the rivers associated with it.
Question 18
Explain the formation and significance of the River Valleys (Northern Plains) of Asia.
Question 19
Identify and describe the major river plains of West and South Asia.
Question 20
Describe the major river plains found in East and Southeast Asia.
Question 21
Write a comprehensive note on the Island Groups of Asia.
Question 22
Classify the drainage systems of Asia into four groups based on where the rivers flow.
Question 23
Explain the term 'Inland Drainage' with examples from Asia.
Question 24
Describe the location and features of the Hindu Kush and Elburz mountains.
Question 25
What is the 'Pacific Ring of Fire' and how does it relate to the geography of Asia?
Question 26
Narrate the event of the volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 and its aftermath.
Question 27
Describe the climatic contrasts regarding temperature found in Asia.
Question 28
Why does the International Date Line curve at the Bering Strait?
Question 29
Describe the Turan Plain's physical characteristics and drainage.
Question 30
List the major deserts of Asia and their approximate locations.