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Question

Identify the State on the basis of the following characteristics :

1. Tropic of Cancer passes through the State.

2. The State has more north-south extension.

3. The State has international border with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

This question was previously asked in
CDS II 2021 General Knowledge Previous Year Paper (14-Nov-2021)
The correct answer is

Mizoram

Identifying the Indian State by Geographical Characteristics

The question asks us to identify an Indian state based on three specific geographical characteristics. Let's examine each characteristic and see which state among the given options fits all of them.

The given options are:

  • Tripura
  • Mizoram
  • Nagaland
  • Manipur

Characteristic 1: Tropic of Cancer Passes Through the State

The Tropic of Cancer (\(\small 23^\circ 30'\) North latitude) is an important imaginary line that passes through India. It passes through eight Indian states. These states are:

  1. Rajasthan
  2. Gujarat
  3. Madhya Pradesh
  4. Chhattisgarh
  5. Jharkhand
  6. West Bengal
  7. Tripura
  8. Mizoram

Based on this characteristic, the states of Nagaland and Manipur can be eliminated, as the Tropic of Cancer does not pass through them. Only Tripura and Mizoram among the options satisfy this first condition.

Characteristic 3: The State Has International Borders with Bangladesh and Myanmar

Now let's look at the international borders of the remaining states (Tripura and Mizoram) with Bangladesh and Myanmar.

  • Tripura: This state shares an international border only with Bangladesh. It does not share a border with Myanmar.
  • Mizoram: This state shares international borders with both Bangladesh to the west and Myanmar to the east and south.

The characteristic states that the state has international borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar. Among the options that satisfy Characteristic 1 (Tripura and Mizoram), only Mizoram satisfies this condition. Tripura does not border Myanmar.

At this point, only Mizoram remains as a possibility that satisfies both characteristic 1 and characteristic 3.

Characteristic 2: The State Has More North-South Extension

Let's consider the shape and extension of Mizoram. Looking at a map, Mizoram is a relatively narrow state but is significantly elongated from north to south. This shape gives it a prominent north-south extension compared to its width.

Tripura, while also in Northeast India, is more compact and has a less pronounced north-south elongation compared to Mizoram.

Mizoram's geographical shape clearly fits the description of having "more north-south extension".

Conclusion

Let's summarise how each state fits the characteristics:

State Tropic of Cancer Borders Bangladesh & Myanmar More North-South Extension Fits All Characteristics?
Tripura Yes No (only Bangladesh) Less prominent No
Mizoram Yes Yes Prominent Yes
Nagaland No No (only Myanmar) Somewhat No
Manipur No No (only Myanmar) Somewhat No

Only Mizoram satisfies all three characteristics:

  1. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Mizoram.
  2. Mizoram shares international borders with both Bangladesh and Myanmar.
  3. Mizoram has a significant north-south extension.

Therefore, the state identified on the basis of these characteristics is Mizoram.

Revision Table: Key Geographical Facts

Feature Description for Mizoram Relevance to Question
Location Northeastern India Context of options provided
Tropic of Cancer (\(\small 23^\circ 30'\) N) Passes through the state Matches Characteristic 1
International Borders Shares borders with Bangladesh (West) and Myanmar (East & South) Matches Characteristic 3
Shape/Extension Long and narrow, oriented North-South Matches Characteristic 2

Additional Information on Indian States' Geography

Understanding the geography of Indian states is crucial for competitive exams. Here are some additional points related to the characteristics discussed:

  • Tropic of Cancer: Knowing all 8 states that the Tropic of Cancer passes through is a common point tested in geography questions. Remembering them helps quickly eliminate options.
  • International Borders: India shares land borders with several countries: Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Afghanistan (disputed area). Different states share borders with different countries. Learning which state borders which country is important. For example, the Northeast Indian states share borders with Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, and Bhutan.
  • State Shapes and Extensions: While not always a primary identifier, the general shape and orientation of a state can be a useful clue, especially when combined with other characteristics. Some states are clearly elongated in one direction (like Mizoram or Kerala), while others are more compact or irregularly shaped.
  • Northeast India: The states in Northeast India (often called the "Seven Sister States" plus Sikkim) have unique geographical features, including varied terrain, international borders, and position relative to important geographical lines like the Tropic of Cancer. The states are Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, and Sikkim.

By combining knowledge of these different geographical aspects, one can accurately identify states based on given descriptions.

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