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Question

The Eight Degree Channel separates which of the following?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2018 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (04-Feb-2018)
The correct answer is

Lakshadweep from Maldives

Understanding the Eight Degree Channel Separation

The question asks about the geographical separation created by the Eight Degree Channel. Identifying significant channels and straits is crucial for understanding the geography of the region around India and its island territories.

What is the Eight Degree Channel?

The Eight Degree Channel is a narrow body of water that lies between the island of Minicoy, which is part of the Lakshadweep archipelago of India, and the northernmost islands of the Maldives. It is named the "Eight Degree Channel" because it is located approximately along the 8-degree line of latitude North (\({8^\circ}\text{N}\)).

Channels are important geographical features that often mark boundaries or facilitate navigation. Understanding which landmasses are separated by these channels helps in grasping regional geography.

Analysing the Options

Let's examine each option provided to determine which one correctly describes the separation caused by the Eight Degree Channel:

  • Option 1: India from Sri Lanka

    This option is incorrect. India is separated from Sri Lanka by the Palk Strait, a shallow body of water, and the Gulf of Mannar.

  • Option 2: Lakshadweep from Maldives

    This option states that the Eight Degree Channel separates Lakshadweep from Maldives. Specifically, it separates Minicoy Island (the southernmost island of Lakshadweep) from the main group of Maldives islands to its south. This aligns with our understanding of the Eight Degree Channel's location and significance.

  • Option 3: Andaman from Nicobar Islands

    This option is incorrect. The Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands, both part of India's Andaman and Nicobar Islands Union Territory, are separated by the Ten Degree Channel (\({10^\circ}\text{N}\) latitude).

  • Option 4: Indira Point from Indonesia

    This option is incorrect. Indira Point is the southernmost tip of Great Nicobar Island (part of the Nicobar Islands). The channel separating Great Nicobar Island (and thus Indira Point) from Sumatra in Indonesia is known as the Great Channel (or Six Degree Channel, located roughly along the \({6^\circ}\text{N}\) latitude).

Based on the analysis, the Eight Degree Channel separates Lakshadweep from the Maldives.

Comparison of Important Channels

Here is a summary table of the major channels discussed:

Channel Name Latitude Approx. Separates
Eight Degree Channel \({8^\circ}\text{N}\) Lakshadweep (Minicoy) from Maldives
Nine Degree Channel \({9^\circ}\text{N}\) Minicoy Island from the main Lakshadweep archipelago
Ten Degree Channel \({10^\circ}\text{N}\) Andaman Islands from Nicobar Islands
Great Channel (Six Degree Channel) \({6^\circ}\text{N}\) Great Nicobar Island (India) from Sumatra (Indonesia)
Palk Strait India from Sri Lanka

Conclusion on Eight Degree Channel Separation

The Eight Degree Channel serves as a significant maritime boundary. It precisely separates Minicoy Island, which is the southernmost island of the Lakshadweep group belonging to India, from the islands that constitute the northern part of the Maldives. This geographical feature is important for navigation and understanding the political boundaries in the Indian Ocean.

Therefore, the correct answer is that the Eight Degree Channel separates Lakshadweep from Maldives.


Revision Table: Key Channels and Separations

Channel Separates Location Context
Eight Degree Channel Lakshadweep & Maldives Between Minicoy (Lakshadweep) and northern Maldives
Nine Degree Channel Lakshadweep (main group) & Minicoy North of Minicoy, within the Lakshadweep group
Ten Degree Channel Andaman & Nicobar Islands Between Little Andaman and Car Nicobar
Great Channel India (Great Nicobar) & Indonesia (Sumatra) South of Great Nicobar
Palk Strait India & Sri Lanka Between Tamil Nadu coast and Jaffna District of Sri Lanka

Additional Information: Geographical Channels and Straits

Channels and straits are crucial geographical features, often serving as vital shipping routes or defining political boundaries. They are narrow passages of water connecting two larger bodies of water. Here are some related concepts:

  • Strait: A naturally formed narrow passage of water that connects two large bodies of water. Examples include the Strait of Gibraltar and the Palk Strait.
  • Channel: Can refer to a strait, or it can be a wider waterway than a strait, or a deeper part of a waterway. In the context of islands, channels often separate island groups or individual islands.
  • Maritime Boundaries: Channels and straits frequently form international or internal maritime boundaries between countries or administrative regions.
  • Navigational Importance: Many channels are critical for international shipping and trade, making them strategically important.

Understanding these geographical features helps in studying physical geography and political boundaries.

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