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Q77 (IAS/2015) Geography › Maps & Locations › World physical geography Official Key

Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

Jordan does not share a border with the Mediterranean Sea.[1] In contrast, the other three countries listed all have Mediterranean coastlines. Syria is bordered in the west by Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea.[2] Lebanon is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the Middle East, bound by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the west.[3] Israel also has a Mediterranean coastline to its west. Jordan is a landlocked country in this context, positioned east of Israel and south of Syria, without direct access to the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, among the four South-West Asian countries listed, Jordan is the only one that does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea.

Sources
  1. [2] https://openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/388e6eb9-bab7-422d-9eac-dff3581ab9c0/content
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea? [A] Syria [B] Jordan [C] Lebanon …
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 2.5/10 · 7.5/10

This is a classic 'Atlas Question' masquerading as a difficult fact. It scores low on text-search because the answer lies in a visual mental map, not a sentence in a book. Since West Asia is a perennial conflict zone (Israel-Palestine, Syrian Civil War), knowing the coastal vs. hinterland status of these nations is non-negotiable baseline knowledge.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Does Syria, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: An Empire Across Three Continents > AN EMPIRE ACROSS THREE CONTINENTS > p. 39
Presence: 5/5
“If you look at the map, you will see that the continents of Europe and Africa are separated by a sea that stretches all the way from Spain in the west to Syria in the east. This sea is called the Mediterranean, and it was the heart of Rome's empire. Rome dominated the Mediterranean and all the regions around that sea in both directions, north as well as south. To the north, the boundaries of the empire were formed by two great rivers, the Rhine and the Danube; to the south, by the huge expanse of desert called the Sahara.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the sea stretches from Spain in the west to Syria in the east.
  • Identifies that sea as the Mediterranean, placing Syria at its eastern extent — implying a Mediterranean coastline.
Statement 2
Does Jordan, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Jordan does not share a border with the Mediterranean Sea."
Why this source?
  • Directly states which South-West Asian country does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Lists Mediterranean coastal countries and explicitly notes Jordan is not among them.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"is bordered in the north by Turkey, in the east and southeast by Iraq, in the south by Jordan, in the southwest by Israel and in the west by Lebanon and the Mediterranean Sea."
Why this source?
  • Describes Syria's borders, noting Syria borders the Mediterranean to the west.
  • States Syria is bordered in the south by Jordan, implying Jordan lies inland south of Syria and does not reach the Mediterranean coast.

Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: An Empire Across Three Continents > AN EMPIRE ACROSS THREE CONTINENTS > p. 39
Strength: 5/5
“If you look at the map, you will see that the continents of Europe and Africa are separated by a sea that stretches all the way from Spain in the west to Syria in the east. This sea is called the Mediterranean, and it was the heart of Rome's empire. Rome dominated the Mediterranean and all the regions around that sea in both directions, north as well as south. To the north, the boundaries of the empire were formed by two great rivers, the Rhine and the Danube; to the south, by the huge expanse of desert called the Sahara.”
Why relevant

Defines the Mediterranean Sea as stretching 'from Spain in the west to Syria in the east', giving the eastern geographic limit of the Mediterranean region in the textual map context.

How to extend

A student could check a standard political map to see whether Jordan lies west of, within, or east of that Syria-defined eastern limit to infer whether it reaches the Mediterranean.

Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 9: Divergent Boundary > 9.2. The Great Rift Valley > p. 129
Strength: 5/5
“• The Great Rift Valley runs north to south for around 6,400 kilometres from northern Syria to central Mozambique in East Africa.• The northernmost part of the rift forms the Beqaa Valley in Lebanon. Farther south, the valley is the home of the Jordan River which continues south through the Jordan Valley into the Dead Sea on the Israeli-Jordanian border. From the Dead Sea southward, the Rift is occupied by the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea.• The Afar Triangle of Ethiopia and Eritrea is the location of a triple junction. The Gulf of Aden is an eastward continuation of the rift, and from this point, the rift extends south-eastward as part of the midoceanic Aden Ridge.• In a southwest direction, the fault continues as the East African Rift, which split the older Ethiopian highlands into two halves.”
Why relevant

Describes the Rift valley geography: the Jordan River empties into the Dead Sea on the Israeli–Jordanian border and southward the Rift is occupied by the Gulf of Aqaba/Red Sea, linking Jordan to Dead Sea/Red Sea features rather than the Mediterranean.

How to extend

Using a regional map, a student could place Jordan relative to the Dead Sea and Gulf of Aqaba and compare that position to the Mediterranean coastline to judge if Jordan touches the Mediterranean.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 5. Mediterranean or Sclerophyllous Biome > p. 11
Strength: 3/5
“Te Mediterranean Biome lies between 30o and 40o (in some areas upto 45o ) latitudes in both the hemispheres. Tis biome is found mainly around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Africa and Asia Minor (coastal Turkey), central California, central Chile, southern parts of South Africa, Tasmania and south-eastern and south-western coastal Australia (Fig. 3.6). Fig. 3.5 Northern Hemisphere Map of Subtropical Biome”
Why relevant

States the Mediterranean Biome is found mainly around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Africa and Asia Minor (coastal Turkey), implicitly outlining the typical countries/regions bordering the sea.

How to extend

A student could combine this regional listing with a map of the Levant (including Jordan) to see whether Jordan is commonly listed among Mediterranean-bordering areas.

Statement 3
Does Lebanon, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Lebanon is located on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the Middle East. It is bound by Syria to the north and east, Israel to the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the west."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states Lebanon's location on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Names the Mediterranean Sea as Lebanon's western border, directly confirming a coastline.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"They are Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey."
Why this source?
  • Lists countries that share a coastline with the Mediterranean Sea and includes Lebanon.
  • Provides Lebanon among other coastal Mediterranean countries, confirming it opens out to the sea.

Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: An Empire Across Three Continents > AN EMPIRE ACROSS THREE CONTINENTS > p. 39
Strength: 5/5
“If you look at the map, you will see that the continents of Europe and Africa are separated by a sea that stretches all the way from Spain in the west to Syria in the east. This sea is called the Mediterranean, and it was the heart of Rome's empire. Rome dominated the Mediterranean and all the regions around that sea in both directions, north as well as south. To the north, the boundaries of the empire were formed by two great rivers, the Rhine and the Danube; to the south, by the huge expanse of desert called the Sahara.”
Why relevant

States that the Mediterranean Sea stretches from Spain in the west to Syria in the east, identifying an eastern coastal terminus of the sea.

How to extend

A student can check a world or regional map to see which countries lie immediately west of Syria along that eastern Mediterranean coastline and thus infer whether Lebanon is among them.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 5. Mediterranean or Sclerophyllous Biome > p. 11
Strength: 4/5
“Te Mediterranean Biome lies between 30o and 40o (in some areas upto 45o ) latitudes in both the hemispheres. Tis biome is found mainly around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Africa and Asia Minor (coastal Turkey), central California, central Chile, southern parts of South Africa, Tasmania and south-eastern and south-western coastal Australia (Fig. 3.6). Fig. 3.5 Northern Hemisphere Map of Subtropical Biome”
Why relevant

Defines the Mediterranean biome as found mainly around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Africa and Asia Minor (coastal Turkey), showing the sea borders parts of Asia.

How to extend

Using a map, a student can locate the Asian coastal strip referenced (Asia Minor and adjacent areas) and see if Lebanon lies on that same coastal belt.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 10: Locational Factors of Economic Activities > mediterranean type of agriculture > p. 17
Strength: 3/5
“Te Mediterranean agricultural typology is confned to the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Asia Minor (coastal Turkey), Valley of California, Cape Province of South Africa, Central Chile, Tasmania and coastal Victoria (Australia) and southern New Zealand. Te Mediterranean region records hot summer and mild-rainy winters. Tis region is known for the cultivation of citrus fruits, fg, olive, vine, cork, cereals and fodder crops. Wheat is the important cereal crop, followed by barley, oats, oilseeds and fodder crops. Te fragmentation and small size of holdings are the main problems of the Mediterranean agriculture.”
Why relevant

Says Mediterranean agricultural typology is confined to the coastal areas of the Mediterranean Sea, including areas in Europe and Asia Minor, linking the concept of 'Mediterranean region' explicitly to coastal zones.

How to extend

A student could look up whether Lebanon's climate/agriculture is described as 'Mediterranean' or whether Lebanon appears on maps of Mediterranean coastal agriculture, which would support it having Mediterranean coast.

FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Primary Activities > Mediterranean Agriculture > p. 31
Strength: 3/5
“sea in Europe and in north Africa from Tunisia to Atlantic coast, southern California, central Chile, south western parts of South Africa and south and south western parts of Australia. This region is an important supplier of citrus fruits. Viticulture or grape cultivation is a speciality of the Mediterranean region. Best quality wines in the world with distinctive flavours are produced from high quality grapes in various countries of this region. The inferior grapes are dried into raisins and currants. This region also produces olives and figs. The advantage of Mediterranean agriculture is that more valuable crops such as fruits and vegetables are grown in winters when there is great demand in European and North American markets.”
Why relevant

Describes the Mediterranean region as 'sea in Europe and in north Africa from Tunisia to Atlantic coast' and lists coastal areas with characteristic crops, emphasising the sea's role in defining adjacent coastal countries.

How to extend

A student can use this coastal framing and a regional map to identify countries located along the eastern extension of the Mediterranean Sea and see if Lebanon is positioned there.

FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: World Climate and Climate Change > Mediterranean Climate (Cs) > p. 93
Strength: 2/5
“As the name suggests, Mediterranean climate occurs around Mediterranean sea, along the west coast of continents in subtropical latitudes between 30° - 40° latitudes e.g. — Central California, Central Chile, along the coast in south eastern and south western Australia. These areas come under the influence of sub tropical high in summer and westerly wind in winter. Hence, the climate is characterised by hot, dry summer and mild, rainy winter. Monthly average temperature in summer is around 25° C and in winter below 10°C. The annual precipitation ranges between 35 - 90 cm.”
Why relevant

Explains Mediterranean climate occurs around the Mediterranean Sea along west coasts of continents in subtropical latitudes, reinforcing that 'Mediterranean' references denote coastal proximity to that sea.

How to extend

By comparing Lebanon's reported climate or location with the described latitudinal/coastal band, a student can judge whether Lebanon falls within the coastal Mediterranean zone.

Statement 4
Does Israel, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean Sea?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"They are Albania, Algeria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, and Turkey."
Why this source?
  • The passage frames the multiple-choice options as "countries of South-West Asia," listing Israel among them (so Israel is treated as a country of South-West Asia).
  • The passage explicitly lists Mediterranean coastal countries and includes "Israel" in that list.

Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: An Empire Across Three Continents > AN EMPIRE ACROSS THREE CONTINENTS > p. 39
Strength: 5/5
“If you look at the map, you will see that the continents of Europe and Africa are separated by a sea that stretches all the way from Spain in the west to Syria in the east. This sea is called the Mediterranean, and it was the heart of Rome's empire. Rome dominated the Mediterranean and all the regions around that sea in both directions, north as well as south. To the north, the boundaries of the empire were formed by two great rivers, the Rhine and the Danube; to the south, by the huge expanse of desert called the Sahara.”
Why relevant

Defines the Mediterranean Sea as stretching 'from Spain in the west to Syria in the east', giving the sea's east–west geographic extent and noting coastal regions in Asia.

How to extend

A student could consult a standard world/region map to see which countries lie along that east Mediterranean stretch east of Syria and whether Israel lies on that coastline.

Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 5. Mediterranean or Sclerophyllous Biome > p. 11
Strength: 4/5
“Te Mediterranean Biome lies between 30o and 40o (in some areas upto 45o ) latitudes in both the hemispheres. Tis biome is found mainly around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Africa and Asia Minor (coastal Turkey), central California, central Chile, southern parts of South Africa, Tasmania and south-eastern and south-western coastal Australia (Fig. 3.6). Fig. 3.5 Northern Hemisphere Map of Subtropical Biome”
Why relevant

Describes the 'Mediterranean Biome' as occurring around the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, Africa and Asia Minor, confirming that parts of Asia border the Mediterranean.

How to extend

Using a map of Southwest Asia, a student can identify which Asian countries border the Mediterranean Sea (Asia Minor/coastal areas) and check if Israel is among them.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > INDIA AND THE GEO-POLITICS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN > p. 64
Strength: 3/5
“by the fact that it is accessible from the west and the east through the narrow straits only. The Red Sea is the narrow outlet in the west, while the Strait of Malacca and Timor and Arafura seas are the narrow outlets in the east. Through the Suez Canal, the Indian Ocean is connected with the Mediterranean Sea and the Europe. Before the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, India was connected with Europe and America via the Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). The Indian Ocean can be choked any time by controlling these outlets. The major choke points include Bab-al-Mandeb, Strait of Hormuz, Strait of Malacca, southern access to the Suez Canal, and the Lombok Strait.”
Why relevant

States that the Suez Canal connects the Indian Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea and Europe, indicating the Mediterranean lies north of the Suez isthmus region (northeast Africa/west Asia interface).

How to extend

A student could locate the Suez and then look along the northeastern Mediterranean coastline (adjacent to the canal) on a map to see which countries have Mediterranean coasts in Southwest Asia, including Israel's position relative to the canal.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 2: Oceans and Continents > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 33
Strength: 3/5
“• As the map of oceans makes clear, the main limits of the Indian Ocean are Asia to the north, Africa to the west and Australia to the east, apart from the Southern Ocean in the south.• On either side of India, we find two parts of the Indian Ocean — the Arabian Sea to the west and the Bay of Bengal to the east. Fig. 2.4 (on the right). This map of India is the same as Fig. 1.6, but with the addition of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Also marked are India's two major groups of islands (see subsection on 'Islands' further below).”
Why relevant

Explains how oceans and seas bound continents and points to reading maps for locating seas relative to countries (teaches map-use for maritime boundaries).

How to extend

Apply basic map-reading: locate Southwest Asia on a world map, identify the Mediterranean Sea, and observe whether Israel's landmass touches that sea.

INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 1: India — Location > INDIA AND ITS NEIGHBOURS > p. 5
Strength: 2/5
“Examine the location map of India (Figure 1.2). You will notice that India is located in the south-central part of the continent of Asia, bordering the Indian ocean and its two arms extending in the form of Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. This maritime location of Peninsular India has provided links to its neighbouring regions through the sea and air routes. Prepare a list of India's neighbouring countries by consulting the map. Sri Lanka and Maldives are the two island countries located in the Indian Ocean, which are our neighbours. Sri Lanka is separated from India by the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait.”
Why relevant

Emphasises using a location map to list neighbouring countries and shows the pedagogical practice of confirming maritime neighbours by consulting maps.

How to extend

Follow the same method for Israel: consult a location map of Southwest Asia to determine whether Israel borders the Mediterranean Sea.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC assumes that if you study International Relations, you possess the 'Mental Map' of the region. Geography questions are often just IR questions stripped of their political context.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. While text-search finds it hard, any serious aspirant practicing map-work for West Asia would solve this in seconds.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Political Geography of the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Coastline Paradoxes': Jordan (Landlocked to Med, but opens to Red Sea via Aqaba), Iraq (Almost landlocked, tiny outlet to Persian Gulf), Turkey (Black, Marmara, Aegean, Med), Israel (Med and Red Sea).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read about conflict zones; draw them. For every region in the news (Syria/ISIS in 2015), trace the maritime outlets. Ask: 'Does this country have a navy in the Mediterranean?'
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Mediterranean Sea as a transcontinental coastal region
💡 The insight

Reference [1] locates the Mediterranean between Europe, Africa and as far east as Syria, highlighting its role as a boundary and connector of continents.

High-yield for UPSC geography and history: questions often ask which countries border the Mediterranean or its geopolitical significance. Mastering this helps with map-based questions and understanding regional interactions (trade, empire, climate). Prepare using map practice and tracing coastal extents of seas.

📚 Reading List :
  • Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: An Empire Across Three Continents > AN EMPIRE ACROSS THREE CONTINENTS > p. 39
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 5. Mediterranean or Sclerophyllous Biome > p. 11
🔗 Anchor: "Does Syria, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Mediterranean climate/biome distribution along western continental coasts
💡 The insight

Multiple references ([2], [3], [6]) describe the Mediterranean biome and its occurrence along coasts, showing a pattern useful for linking coastal presence to climatic zones.

Useful for physical geography and agriculture questions in UPSC — connects coastal location to climate, crops and land use. Practice by memorizing regional examples and climate characteristics to answer distribution and cause-effect questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 5. Mediterranean or Sclerophyllous Biome > p. 11
  • FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: World Climate and Climate Change > Mediterranean Climate (Cs) > p. 93
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 10: Locational Factors of Economic Activities > mediterranean type of agriculture > p. 17
🔗 Anchor: "Does Syria, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Coastline definition and classification
💡 The insight

Reference [9] defines coastline and its variability, relevant when inferring whether a country 'has a coastline'.

Important for precise answers in geography: distinguishing 'having a coastline' versus being coastal in cultural or climatic sense. Helps in map-based elimination and physical geography answers. Learn formal definitions and types, and apply to map verification tasks.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 17: Major Landforms and Cycle of Erosion > Coastlines > p. 223
🔗 Anchor: "Does Syria, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean ..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Mediterranean Sea coastal regions
💡 The insight

The question asks whether a country borders the Mediterranean; several references outline which regions and countries lie around the Mediterranean Sea.

UPSC frequently asks which countries or regions border major seas and the climatic/biome implications. Mastering the list and spatial distribution of Mediterranean coastal areas helps answer map-based and physical geography questions and links to topics like climate, agriculture and historical civilizations. Prepare by memorising coastal countries/regions and practising map questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 5. Mediterranean or Sclerophyllous Biome > p. 11
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 10: Locational Factors of Economic Activities > mediterranean type of agriculture > p. 17
  • FUNDAMENTALS OF HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: Primary Activities > Mediterranean Agriculture > p. 31
🔗 Anchor: "Does Jordan, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Great Rift Valley — Jordan River, Dead Sea, Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea)
💡 The insight

References describe the Rift’s course through the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea and then the Gulf of Aqaba/Red Sea, which is directly relevant to locating Jordan’s southern and inland water boundaries versus a Mediterranean coast.

Understanding the Great Rift Valley’s geography is high-yield for physical geography and geopolitics questions (river systems, borders, coastal access). It helps distinguish countries with Red Sea vs Mediterranean access. Study maps of the Rift, major rivers, and associated seas.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 9: Divergent Boundary > 9.2. The Great Rift Valley > p. 129
🔗 Anchor: "Does Jordan, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Mediterranean climate & associated coastal agriculture
💡 The insight

Multiple references link the Mediterranean Sea to a characteristic climate and agricultural zone—useful for inferring which coastal regions have Mediterranean-type climate rather than other coastlines.

Questions often connect climate types to regions and economic activities (e.g., viticulture, olives). Recognising Mediterranean-climate areas helps eliminate options about coastal countries that do not fit the climatic/biome profile. Revise climate zones alongside continental coastlines and crop distributions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 30: Climatic Regions > Distribution > p. 448
  • FUNDAMENTALS OF PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 11: World Climate and Climate Change > Mediterranean Climate (Cs) > p. 93
🔗 Anchor: "Does Jordan, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranean..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Geographic extent of the Mediterranean Sea
💡 The insight

Knowing the east–west extent of the Mediterranean (e.g., from Spain to Syria; includes Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor) is essential to decide whether a SW Asian country lies on it.

High-yield for UPSC geography: questions often ask which countries or regions border major seas. Connects physical geography with political boundaries and historical trade routes. Prepare by studying Mediterranean maps and lists of coastal countries; practice map-based questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Themes in world history, History Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 2: An Empire Across Three Continents > AN EMPIRE ACROSS THREE CONTINENTS > p. 39
  • Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 3: MAJOR BIOMES > 5. Mediterranean or Sclerophyllous Biome > p. 11
🔗 Anchor: "Does Lebanon, a country in South-West Asia, have a coastline on the Mediterranea..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The 'Tiny Outlet' Trap: Jordan is not fully landlocked; it touches the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba. Similarly, Iraq touches the Persian Gulf at the Al-Faw peninsula. Bosnia touches the Adriatic at Neum. Expect a question on these 'narrow corridors' of maritime access.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'River Logic': The country Jordan is named after the River Jordan. The River Jordan flows into the Dead Sea (an inland lake). The river forms the border between Israel (West) and Jordan (East). Since the river is inland and separates the two, the country to the East (Jordan) is blocked from the Mediterranean by the country to the West (Israel).

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-2 (IR): Jordan's lack of Mediterranean access forces it into economic dependence on Israeli ports (Haifa) or the long route via Aqaba. This geographic 'choke' dictates Jordan's moderate foreign policy compared to Syria or Lebanon.

✓ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

IAS · 2017 · Q54 Relevance score: 4.38

Mediterranean Sea is a border of which of the following countries ? 1. Jordan 2. Iraq 3. Lebanon 4. Syria Select the correct answer using the code given below :

CAPF · 2020 · Q66 Relevance score: 3.38

Which one of the following is NOT a Mediterranean country ?

IAS · 2003 · Q116 Relevance score: 2.29

Which one of the following countries does NOT border the Caspian Sea?

CAPF · 2014 · Q98 Relevance score: 0.04

Which one among the following countries of Asia is land-locked ?

CDS-I · 2024 · Q55 Relevance score: -0.06

Which one among the following countries is not part of the Arabian Peninsula? (a) Kuwait (b) Oman (c) Jordan (d) Yemen