Which one of the following pairs of islands is separated from each other by the 'Ten Degree Channel'?
Andaman and Nicobar
Understanding the Ten Degree Channel and Island Separations
The question asks which pair of islands is separated by the 'Ten Degree Channel'. This channel is a significant geographical feature in the Indian Ocean.
What is the Ten Degree Channel?
The Ten Degree Channel is a strait or channel that lies between the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal. Its name comes from the fact that it is located on the 10-degree line of Latitude North (approximately $10^\circ$N latitude). It is about 150 km (93 miles) wide and separates Little Andaman Island to the north from Car Nicobar Island to the south.
Analyzing the Options for Island Separation
Let's look at the options provided and see which pair is separated by the Ten Degree Channel:
- Andaman and Nicobar: As discussed, the Ten Degree Channel is well-known for separating the Andaman island group from the Nicobar island group. This aligns with geographical facts.
- Nicobar and Sumatra: Sumatra is a large island of Indonesia, located to the south of the Nicobar Islands. They are separated by a different body of water, not the Ten Degree Channel.
- Maldives and Lakshadweep: The Maldives and Lakshadweep are island groups located in the Arabian Sea. They are separated by the Eight Degree Channel (located roughly along the 8-degree line of Latitude North).
- Sumatra and Java: Sumatra and Java are major islands of Indonesia. They are separated by the Sunda Strait.
Based on geographical knowledge, the Ten Degree Channel specifically separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands.
| Island Pair | Separating Channel/Strait |
|---|---|
| Andaman and Nicobar | Ten Degree Channel ($10^\circ$N Latitude) |
| Maldives and Lakshadweep | Eight Degree Channel ($8^\circ$N Latitude) |
| Little Andaman and South Andaman | Duncan Passage |
| Great Nicobar and Sumatra | Great Channel |
| Sumatra and Java | Sunda Strait |
Therefore, the pair of islands separated by the Ten Degree Channel is Andaman and Nicobar.
Revision Table: Important Channels and Straits
| Channel/Strait | Location | Separates |
|---|---|---|
| Ten Degree Channel | Bay of Bengal / Indian Ocean | Andaman Islands and Nicobar Islands |
| Eight Degree Channel | Arabian Sea / Indian Ocean | Maldives and Minicoy (part of Lakshadweep) |
| Nine Degree Channel | Arabian Sea / Indian Ocean | Minicoy and the main Lakshadweep archipelago |
| Duncan Passage | Indian Ocean | Little Andaman and South Andaman |
| Great Channel | Indian Ocean | Great Nicobar (India) and Sumatra (Indonesia) |
| Sunda Strait | Indian Ocean / Java Sea | Sumatra and Java (Indonesia) |
| Palk Strait | Indian Ocean | India and Sri Lanka |
Additional Information on Channels and Island Geography
Channels are natural narrow waterways that connect two larger bodies of water or separate islands from continents or other islands. They are often important for shipping routes.
- The Andaman and Nicobar Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal, forming a Union Territory of India. They are known for their unique biodiversity and indigenous tribes.
- The Ten Degree Channel is a significant navigational route in the region.
- Channels named after degrees of latitude (like Eight, Nine, and Ten Degree Channels) are often located approximately along those specific lines of latitude.
- Understanding these geographical features is important for studying the physical geography of South and Southeast Asia.
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