Question map
What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East Asia as one proceeds from south to north? 1. Bangkok 2. Hanoi 3. Jakarta 4. Singapore Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
The correct answer is option C: 3-4-1-2, with Jakarta (Indonesia) located farthest south[1], followed by Singapore, Bangkok, and Hanoi as one moves northward.
To understand this sequence, we need to consider the approximate latitudes of these Southeast Asian capitals. Jakarta lies at about 6°S (below the equator), making it the southernmost city. Singapore is positioned just north of the equator at approximately 1°N. Bangkok, Thailand's capital, is located further north at around 13°N. Finally, Hanoi in northern Vietnam is the northernmost of these cities at approximately 21°N.
Therefore, when proceeding from south to north, the correct sequence is: Jakarta (3) → Singapore (4) → Bangkok (1) → Hanoi (2), which corresponds to option C (3-4-1-2).
This question tests geographical knowledge of Southeast Asian cities and their relative positions, which is important for understanding regional geography and geopolitical contexts in the UPSC examination.
SourcesPROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a classic 'Mental Map' question. No textbook paragraph lists this sequence explicitly; it rewards students who actively engage with an Atlas rather than just reading text. The key is anchoring cities relative to the Equator and the Tropic of Cancer.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Explicit classroom task asks students to find the approximate distance (i.e., latitude) of Singapore from the Equator, highlighting Singapore's proximity to the Equator.
A student can use an atlas or world map to read Singapore's latitude (close to 0°) and compare it with other cities' latitudes to rank them.
Another exercise tells students to note approximate latitudes/longitudes for Singapore alongside other world cities, reinforcing that Singapore's latitude is an atlas-checkable fact.
Use the same atlas lookup method for Jakarta, Bangkok and Hanoi to obtain their latitudes and order them.
Gives the key definition and landmarks: latitude is angular distance north/south of the Equator and lists important latitudes (Equator = 0°, Tropic of Cancer ≈ 23.5°N).
Using these reference parallels, a student can judge whether each city lies north or south of the Equator and whether any lie near the Tropic of Cancer to help order them by latitude.
Lists Southeast Asian cities (including Bangkok and Singapore) as nodal points and situates them conceptually within the broad latitudinal belt where many inter-continental routes converge.
A student can combine this regional placement with an atlas to determine that Bangkok is north of Singapore and use precise latitudes to order cities.
Notes ASEAN membership and founding in Bangkok and lists Indonesia and Singapore among members, implicitly grouping these cities within Southeast Asia so a map comparison is appropriate.
A student can take a ASEAN/regional map (or world map) and read off relative north–south positions (latitudes) of Jakarta, Singapore, Bangkok and Hanoi to establish an order.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter for map-visualizers, Trap for text-crammers. Source: Any Standard Oxford/Blackswan Atlas (Southeast Asia Political Map).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Regional Geography of South-East Asia (ASEAN) → Relative location of Capital Cities.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Golden Sequence' of ASEAN capitals: 1. North-South: Hanoi (21°N) > Vientiane > Yangon > Bangkok (13°N) > Phnom Penh > Ho Chi Minh City > Kuala Lumpur > Singapore (1°N) > Jakarta (6°S). 2. East-West: Yangon > Bangkok > Vientiane > Hanoi > Manila.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not memorize coordinates. Instead, use 'Anchor Lines'. Know that Singapore is practically on the Equator (0°), Jakarta is in the Southern Hemisphere, and Hanoi borders China (near Tropic of Cancer).
Latitude is the angular distance north or south of the Equator; to order cities N–S you must know how latitudes are named and compared.
Understanding what latitude measures (north vs south of the Equator) is fundamental for any question that asks to rank places by north–south position. UPSC frequently tests coordinate concepts and map skills; mastering latitude helps in map-reading, climate zonation, and distance-from-equator questions. Learn this from textbook definitions and apply with practice atlas exercises.
- Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 18: Latitudes and Longitudes > 18.3. Comparison: Latitude vs. Longitude > p. 250
Several references instruct students to use an atlas or globe to note approximate latitudes/longitudes (example: Singapore), which is the practical method to get coordinates for cities.
Many prelim and mains map-based questions require extracting coordinates from an atlas rather than rote memory. Practice locating major cities and recording their lat/long from atlases/globes to build quick recall and map-reading speed.
- Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 2: The Earth's Crust > Latitude > p. 10
- Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Locating Places on the Earth > LET'S EXPLORE > p. 17
Textbooks show how latitudes are expressed in degrees (e.g., India's latitudinal limits) which underpins comparing numeric latitude values to determine which place is more northern or southern.
Converting textual latitude ranges into comparative judgments (higher N = farther north; higher S = farther south) is a high-yield skill for geography questions on relative location. Practice by comparing numeric latitudes of multiple places to answer ranking questions quickly.
- INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: India — Location > INDIA – LOCATION > p. 2
- Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 18: Latitudes and Longitudes > 18.3. Comparison: Latitude vs. Longitude > p. 250
Next Logical Question: The 'Mekong Capitals'. Which capitals are located on the banks of the Mekong River? (Answer: Vientiane and Phnom Penh). Or the East-West sequence of: Yangon - Bangkok - Phnom Penh - Ho Chi Minh City.
Use the 'China vs. Equator' Logic:
1. **Hanoi** is in Vietnam, which borders China. It must be the northernmost (eliminates options ending in 1 or 3).
2. **Jakarta** is in Indonesia, the only major ASEAN country extending significantly into the Southern Hemisphere. It must be the southernmost (Start with 3).
3. **Singapore** is famous for being 1 degree North (just above Equator). It must be second from the south.
Result: 3 (Jakarta) → 4 (Singapore) → ... → 2 (Hanoi). Matches Option [C].
Mains GS-2 (IR): The 'India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway' connects Moreh (India) to Mae Sot (Thailand). Understanding the latitude of Bangkok vs. Yangon is crucial for visualizing this connectivity corridor and the 'Act East Policy'.