UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 84: Geography
The high density of population in Nile Valley and Island of Java is primarily due to
AnswerThe answer is (a).
Both the Nile Valley and Java have very dense populations mainly because of intensive agriculture on fertile soil. Annual Nile silt and irrigation in Egypt, and rich volcanic soil with ample rain in Java, support several crops a year, chiefly rice in Java. Industry and urban life are secondary. Remember that fertile alluvial and volcanic soils can support very high rural densities.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Right: intensive agriculture.
- (b) Neither region's density comes mainly from industry.
- (c) Urbanisation follows the density rather than causing it.
- (d) Desert limits settlement in Egypt, but this does not explain Java's density, where fertile soil does.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.