Q. Consider the following water bodies:
I. Lake Tanganyika
II. Lake Tonlé Sap
III. Patos Lagoon
Through how many of them does the equator pass?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None
UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 Download Pdf
Answer & Explanation:
✅Correct Answer: (d) None
Explanation:
To determine through how many of the listed water bodies the Equator passes, we need to look at the geographical positions of each one:
1. Lake Tanganyika: ❌
- Location: Lies along the borders of Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Burundi, and Zambia.
- Equatorial Status: No, The Equator does NOT cross Lake Tanganyika. The northern tip of the lake lies close to the Equator (around 3.4° South), but the entire lake is situated south of the Equator.
- Conclusion: The Equator does not pass through Lake Tanganyika.
2. Lake Tonlé Sap: ❌
- Location: Found in Cambodia, near the capital Phnom Penh.
- Latitude: Lies at approximately 13°N, which is well north of the Equator.
- Conclusion: The Equator does not pass through Tonlé Sap.
3. Patos Lagoon: ❌
- Location: Situated in southern Brazil, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul.
- Latitude: Located around 30°S, which is south of the Equator by a significant margin.
- Conclusion: Equator does not pass through Patos Lagoon.
Summary Table:
| Water Body | Country/Region | Equator Passes Through? |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Tanganyika | East-Central Africa | ❌ No |
| Lake Tonlé Sap | Cambodia | ❌ No |
| Patos Lagoon | Southern Brazil | ❌ No |
Final Conclusion:
Out of the three water bodies mentioned:
- None is intersected by the Equator.
Hence, the correct answer is (d) None.
This type of question is often seen in UPSC and state-level exams to test a candidate’s grasp of physical geography and map-based knowledge. Candidates are advised to regularly practice and revise equatorial, tropic, and continental positions on a world map for better accuracy.
The equator doesn’t pass through Lake Tanganyika. Kindly rectify.
Thank you, Himanshi, for pointing that out. You’re absolutely right — the Equator does not pass through Lake Tanganyika. We’ve reviewed the coordinates, and the entire lake lies south of the Equator. The content will be corrected accordingly. Appreciate your attention to detail!