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

Multiple choice

Which of the following was one of the most difficult projects for engineers ever?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.

Engineering facts: Engineers solve practical problems by applying mathematical and scientific knowledge. The word engineer comes from a Latin word meaning ‘cleverness’. As of 2010, the tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. It reaches an incredible 828 metres (2717 feet) in height. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Ancient Wonders of the World and the last one that remains largely intact. The building of the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was one of the most difficult engineering projects ever. It is estimated that over 25000 workers lost their lives during the long and dangerous project, with most dying from disease and landslides. As of 2010, the longest suspension bridge in the world is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan. Opened in 1998, it spans an amazing 1991 metres (6529 feet). Hoover Dam, built along the Colorado River between 1931 and 1936 reaches 726 feet in height (221 metres). High speed passenger trains in China reach speeds of up to 350 kph (220 mph). The London Eye in England is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe, standing at a height of 135 metres (442 feet). The tallest wind turbine in the world has rotor tips that reach over 200 metres (656 feet) above the ground.

  1. Hoover Dam

  2. Burj Khalifa

  3. Panama Canal

  4. Colorado River
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

"The building of the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was one of the most difficult engineering projects ever".

Multiple choice

What according to the passage is the exact meaning of the word engineer?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.

Engineering facts: Engineers solve practical problems by applying mathematical and scientific knowledge. The word engineer comes from a Latin word meaning ‘cleverness’. As of 2010, the tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. It reaches an incredible 828 metres (2717 feet) in height. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Ancient Wonders of the World and the last one that remains largely intact. The building of the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was one of the most difficult engineering projects ever. It is estimated that over 25000 workers lost their lives during the long and dangerous project, with most dying from disease and landslides. As of 2010, the longest suspension bridge in the world is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan. Opened in 1998, it spans an amazing 1991 metres (6529 feet). Hoover Dam, built along the Colorado River between 1931 and 1936 reaches 726 feet in height (221 metres). High speed passenger trains in China reach speeds of up to 350 kph (220 mph). The London Eye in England is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe, standing at a height of 135 metres (442 feet). The tallest wind turbine in the world has rotor tips that reach over 200 metres (656 feet) above the ground.

  1. Senselessness

  2. Ineptness

  3. Smartness

  4. Weakness
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

-

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is true?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.

Engineering facts: Engineers solve practical problems by applying mathematical and scientific knowledge. The word engineer comes from a Latin word meaning ‘cleverness’. As of 2010, the tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. It reaches an incredible 828 metres (2717 feet) in height. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Ancient Wonders of the World and the last one that remains largely intact. The building of the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was one of the most difficult engineering projects ever. It is estimated that over 25000 workers lost their lives during the long and dangerous project, with most dying from disease and landslides. As of 2010, the longest suspension bridge in the world is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan. Opened in 1998, it spans an amazing 1991 metres (6529 feet). Hoover Dam, built along the Colorado River between 1931 and 1936 reaches 726 feet in height (221 metres). High speed passenger trains in China reach speeds of up to 350 kph (220 mph). The London Eye in England is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe, standing at a height of 135 metres (442 feet). The tallest wind turbine in the world has rotor tips that reach over 200 metres (656 feet) above the ground.

  1. The London Eye in England is the largest Ferris Wheel in the world.

  2. The Panama Canal is the oldest of ancient wonders of the world.

  3. The fastest trains in China reach over 300 km/h.

  4. The Great Pyramid of Giza was one of the most difficult engineering projects ever.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

"High speed passenger trains in China reach speeds of up to 350 kph (220 mph)."

Multiple choice

Which of the following links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?

Directions: Read the given passage and answer the question that follows.

Engineering facts: Engineers solve practical problems by applying mathematical and scientific knowledge. The word engineer comes from a Latin word meaning ‘cleverness’. As of 2010, the tallest building in the world is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, UAE. It reaches an incredible 828 metres (2717 feet) in height. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the Ancient Wonders of the World and the last one that remains largely intact. The building of the Panama Canal, which links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, was one of the most difficult engineering projects ever. It is estimated that over 25000 workers lost their lives during the long and dangerous project, with most dying from disease and landslides. As of 2010, the longest suspension bridge in the world is the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge in Kobe, Japan. Opened in 1998, it spans an amazing 1991 metres (6529 feet). Hoover Dam, built along the Colorado River between 1931 and 1936 reaches 726 feet in height (221 metres). High speed passenger trains in China reach speeds of up to 350 kph (220 mph). The London Eye in England is the largest Ferris wheel in Europe, standing at a height of 135 metres (442 feet). The tallest wind turbine in the world has rotor tips that reach over 200 metres (656 feet) above the ground.

  1. Burj Khalifa

  2. Pyramid of Giza

  3. Hoover Dam

  4. Panama Canal
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Panama Canal links the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

Multiple choice

Read the following points about the Atlantic Ocean: A. It is 'S' shaped. B. Its coastline is smooth and straight. C. It is the busiest ocean from commercial viewpoint. Which of the above statements are true?

  1. Only A and B

  2. Only B and C

  3. Only A and C

  4. All of them are true
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The Atlantic Ocean has a distinctive 'S' shape and is indeed the busiest ocean commercially, handling the highest volume of international shipping and trade between Europe, Americas, and Africa. However, statement B is false because the Atlantic's coastline is highly indented with numerous bays, gulfs, and estuaries like the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and North Sea - not smooth and straight. The 'S' shape results from the way the Americas fit between Africa and Europe.

Multiple choice

A narrow strip of land which connects two land masses is known as

  1. isthmus

  2. gulf

  3. island

  4. strait
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

An isthmus is a narrow strip of land connecting two larger landmasses, typically with water on both sides. The Isthmus of Panama (connecting North and South America) and Isthmus of Suez (connecting Africa and Asia) are classic examples. A gulf is a large coastal inlet, an island is land surrounded by water, and a strait is a narrow water passage connecting two larger bodies of water. The isthmus is the correct answer because it specifically describes a land connection.

Multiple choice

Where is the world's largest university located?

  1. Ohio

  2. Pune

  3. New Delhi

  4. California

  5. New York
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

IGNOU is the largest university in the world with 3,500,000 students. It is a distance learning national university located in IGNOU road, Maidan Garhi, New Delhi, India.

Multiple choice

The three main island groups in the Pacific from east to west are

  1. Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia

  2. Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia

  3. Micronesia, Polynesia and Melanesia

  4. Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The correct east to west location of the island groups in the Pacific is - Polynesia, Micronesia and Melanesia.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the largest fresh water lake in the world?

  1. Caspian Sea

  2. Lake Baikal

  3. Lake Superior

  4. Aral Sea
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Caspian Sea is the largest lake in the world. It is a saline water lake. Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world. Lake Superior is the largest fresh water lake in the world. It is located in North America.