How to Approach Mapping Questions on Seas and Straits for UPSC Prelims

Importance and relevance of geography has increased manifold in UPSC Prelims since past few years. Approximately 10-15 questions are asked from this section. The Previous Year Papers reveal that there are fair number of questions based on map are asked in UPSC Prelims paper.The map entries have varied dimensions ranging from the various geographic features of world and India to Human Geography that remain in news throughout the year . The Map Based Questions are important not only for prelims but for mains exam also. Optional paper in mains exam has one question related to map entries. But we are talking about prelims exam so we will have a look at the prelims map based questions only and discuss strategy to tackle such questions. In todays’ discussion we will see map based questions related to straits and seas of the world.

Straits are the narrow and navigable channels of the water that seperates two water bodies from each other . There are various such straits found all over the world and many of them are asked in UPSC Prelims Question paper. The motive behind asking such questions is to test awareness of an aspirant regarding geographical locations that remain in news due to some reasons. The seas on the other hand are the larger water bodies that are surrounded by larger land masses or water bodies. These seas may be landlocked or isolated. For an example the seas found in European continent are larger water bodies which can be termed as great lakes. These seas are source of several natural resources and minerals that can be fruitful for the humankind. These seas form important passages for large vessels of oil and other minerals. These seas are famous for few other reasons also such as destination for tourists, shelter and nesting grounds  for migratory bird species etc. 

How to prepare

The best way to prepare for maps is to follow some good atlas. There are various entries in this atlas that are related with various infographic features such as mountains, oceans, plateaus and rivers. Apart from these straits, seas, ocean currents, winds are also listed here. The various places of mineral resources , reserves, tribes, grasslands are also found in this atlas.But the question is just have random glance at this can we prepare for map entries. The biggest question lies here is what to study and how to study. The answer lies in the Current Affairs that can be followed for these locations. There are various straits and seas that remain in news throughout the year.The location of such straits and seas should be marked exclusively in the atlas and should be revised thoroughly round the year.  The various other important straits related to or near to such places should also be marked specifically in the atlas. The important seas and the surrounding countries should be memorized with their specific locations. The important features related to such places would serve as an extra advantage. Sometimes questions are  based on such informations that can not be ignored at any cost.

The resources that can be followed for these is the good atlas,daily news paper specially the international page of news paper and a website related to geography such as Geography and You could be a good source.

GS SCORE PRELIMS Sampoorna Seas and Straits Mapping will significantly help aspirants to cover important locations which are relevant for the examination. With a complete list of important Seas and Straits, their bordering countries and surrounding location, it will help to gain edge in your Prelims examination.