Geography · General Awareness
World Geographical Records
2,795 Questions
World geographical records encompass the extremes of physical geography, including the largest lakes, islands, oceans, and trenches. These factual questions test knowledge of global superlatives and major geographical features. This topic is a staple in general studies sections of UPSC, state PSC, and SSC exams.
Largest global islandsDeepest ocean pointsMajor world canalsGlobal polar regionsLargest rivers and reefs
World Geographical Records Questions
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Excelsior
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Great Mogul
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Cullinan
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Hope
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Cullinan Diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905, remains the largest gem-quality diamond ever found at 3,106 carats. It was cut into 9 major stones and 96 smaller ones, with the largest (Cullinan I) being part of the British Crown Jewels. The Great Mogul and Excelsior were also large but significantly smaller.
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July 1967
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August 1982
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August 1974
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April 1986
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The Baily Bridge, located in the Ladakh valley between the Dras and Suru rivers, was constructed by the Indian Army in August 1982. It is recognized as the highest bridge in the world, situated in the Himalayan mountains at an extremely high altitude.
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Dead Sea
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Black Sea
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Red Sea
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Blue Sea
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The Dead Sea, located between Jordan and Israel, is the lowest dry point on Earth's land surface at approximately 430 meters (1,411 feet) below sea level. It is called 'dry' point because it's an exposed land area, unlike ocean trenches which are underwater.
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Sumatra, Papua, Maluku, Kalimantan, Sunda
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Kalimantan, Sumatra, Sulawesi, Papua and Java
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Sulawesi, Java, Sunda, Aru, Sumatra
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Java, Sunda, Kalimantan, Maluku, Aru
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Indonesia's five largest islands by area are Kalimantan (Borneo), Sumatra, Sulawesi (Celebes), Papua (New Guinea's Indonesian portion), and Java. Option A incorrectly lists Maluku and Sunda, while Option C and D include Sunda and Aru which are smaller islands.
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The Nile River, stretching approximately 6,650 km (4,130 miles) through Africa, is traditionally considered the world's longest river. Some recent measurements suggest the Amazon might be longer, but Nile remains the accepted answer in most contexts.
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Trans-Durand
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Trans -Canada
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Trans -Caspian
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Trans -Detroit
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The Trans-Canada Highway is the world's longest national highway, stretching approximately 7,821 km (4,860 miles) from St. John's, Newfoundland to Victoria, British Columbia. It was completed in 1971 and spans all ten Canadian provinces.
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Durnd Desert
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Dead Desert
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Sahara Desert
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Nippon Desert
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Sahara Desert is the world's largest hot desert. While Antarctica is technically the largest desert (polar), in common educational contexts 'desert' refers to hot deserts like Sahara.
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Mt Waialeale, Kauai, Hawaii, USA
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Cherrapuni, India
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Lloro, Colombia
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Crkvica, Bosnia
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Mauna Loa(Hawaii )
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Mount Baker (Washington, USA)
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Cold Bay Volcano (Alaska, USA)
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Stromboli Volcano, Italy
A
Correct answer
Explanation
Mauna Loa in Hawaii is indeed the world's largest volcano by volume and area. It rises about 9 km (5.6 miles) from the ocean floor to its summit, with a total height of over 17 km (10.6 miles) from base to peak - taller than Mount Everest when measured from base. Mauna Loa covers about 5,271 sq km (2,035 sq miles) and has an estimated volume of 80,000 cubic km. While some volcanoes like Olympus Mons on Mars are larger, Mauna Loa is the largest on Earth. Mount Baker, Cold Bay, and Stromboli are all significantly smaller in size and volume.
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Pacific
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Indian
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Atlantic
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Antartic
C
Correct answer
Explanation
The Bermuda Triangle is located in the Atlantic Ocean, specifically between Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico. Option C is correct. The Pacific, Indian, and Antarctic Oceans are not associated with this region.
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Mystery Triangle
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Devil's Triangle
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Devil's Hole
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Mystery Hole
B
Correct answer
Explanation
The Bermuda Triangle is colloquially known as the "Devil's Triangle" due to the mysterious disappearances attributed to it. Option B is correct. The other names are not recognized alternate names for this region.
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Litke Deep
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Challenger Deep
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Calyso Deep
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Milwaukee Deep
B
Correct answer
Explanation
Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench is the deepest known point on Earth, at approximately 10,928 meters below sea level. Litke Deep (A), Calypso Deep (C), and Milwaukee Deep (D) are other deep ocean points but not the deepest.
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Angel Falls,Venezula
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Niagara Falls,USA
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Victoria Falls,Zimbawe
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Hanoki Falls,Japan
C
Correct answer
Explanation
Victoria Falls is widely considered the largest waterfall in the world based on the combined width of its sheet of falling water and height. While Angel Falls in Venezuela is the tallest waterfall by height, and Niagara Falls has the highest water volume, Victoria Falls creates the world's largest sheet of falling water overall.
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Burj dubai
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CN Tower
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KVLY-TV Mast
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Taipei-101
A
Correct answer
Explanation
The Burj Dubai (now officially called Burj Khalifa) is the tallest building in the world at 828 meters (2,717 feet). It was completed in 2010 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The CN Tower, Taipei 101, and KVLY-TV mast are all tall structures but significantly shorter than the Burj Khalifa.