6 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
For a country with thousands of years
of civilisational glory, that has constantly
been vying to join the big table of world
leaders decisively, India's big historic
moment came with its Presidency of
the Group of Twenty (G20), which
culminated in the New Delhi G20
Summit 2023 on September 9-10, 2023.
Brilliantly showcasing India to all who
matter, the grand event brought
the world to New Delhi for an
extraordinarily successful G20 Leaders’
Summit. With almost the entire world
hailing it as India's spectacular
diplomatic feat, the G20 New Delhi
Summit gave an unprecedented boost
to India's geopolitical stature. The
Summit left an indelible mark on
contemporary world affairs by uniting
everyone to achieve the singularly
significant goal of making the world a
better place.
Under the stewardship of Prime
Minister Mr. Narendra Modi, India
managed to bring together staunchly
opposing views over the most
contentious issue of the Russia-Ukraine
war to a consensual meeting ground. By
deftly espousing the cause of and getting
on board the big table a continent that
has remained at the wrong end of history
for centuries—namely Africa-India
emerged as a strong voice of the Global
South. India held 200+ working group
meetings and other events throughout
the year of its G20 Presidency in over
India's Historic G20 Moment
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi led the historically successful G20 Summit
held under India’s Presidency in New Delhi on September 9-10, 2023.
60 venues spread over all the Indian
States and Union Territories. All these
events culminated in substantial
outcomes adopted in the G20 Leaders'
New Delhi Declaration. These decisions
are bound to impact the future of
humanity significantly. India's theme
for its G20 Presidency—Vasudhaiv
Kutumbakam: One Earth, One Family,
One Future—also echoed well with
today's world and was appreciated by
all the leaders.
Illusive Consensus On War
The G20 New Delhi Summit began
with considerable doubt as to whether
the world leaders would be able to reach
an agreement during the Summit. The
Ukraine war was a major divisive issue.
The West insisted on unanimous
condemnation of Russia and President
Mr. Vladimir Putin, while any harsh
positions against Russia were
unacceptable to Russia and China. This
could have ended the Summit without
a joint communiqué, which in turn could
have been seen as a failure of the
Summit. However, the fact that on
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 7
Day 1 of the Summit, the G20 New
Delhi Leaders' Declaration was adopted
with “100 per cent consensus on all
developmental and geopolitical issues”
is testimony to India's leadership. The
test was how India looked at the issue
and formulated it in a way that could
make it acceptable to all.
Eight paragraphs under the headline
“For the Planet, People, Peace and
Prosperity” deal with the issue of war
in Ukraine. The New Delhi Declaration
said, “In line with the UN Charter, all
states must refrain from the threat or
use of force to seek territorial acquisition
against the territorial integrity and
sovereignty or political independence of
any state.” It also said that the \"use or
threat of use of nuclear weapons is
inadmissible.\" The Declaration noted
the impact of the war in Ukraine on
global food and energy security, supply
chains, macro-financial stability, inflation
and growth. The issues have adversely
impacted the developing and least
developed nations. The Declaration
called for “all states to uphold the
principles of international law including
A view of the G20 Summit that was held in New Delhi.
8 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
territorial integrity and sovereignty,
international humanitarian law, and
the multilateral system that safeguards
peace and stability.” It supported a
“comprehensive, just, and durable
peace” in Ukraine and advocated
conflict resolution through diplomacy
and dialogue. Echoing Prime Minister
Mr. Modi's famous line to the Russian
President, the Declaration emphasised
that “Today's era must not be of war”.
African Union On The High Table
Most of all, the G20 New Delhi
Summit will be remembered for
becoming G20+1 after inducting the
African Union (AU) as a permanent
member of the grouping. In his opening
remarks at the inaugural session of
the Summit, Mr. Modi made the
announcement welcoming the 55-nation
AU as the new member of the grouping.
He said, “In keeping with the sentiment
of 'sabka saath' (with everyone), India
had proposed that the African Union
be given permanent membership of the
G20. I believe we all agree on this
proposal. With your agreement (he
banged the gavel thrice), I invite the
AU President as a permanent member
to take his position before we start our
work.” While the Chairperson of the AU
and the President of the Union of
Comoros, Mr. Azali Assoumani, stepped
in to take his seat on the high table, his
name and AU's flag were placed before
his seat, marking a historical
development for the G20.
For India, it is a big success. The
country has proved its ability to promote
the Global South at the highest level.
After almost a decade of advocacy, the
AU, with its 1.4 billion people and $3
trillion Gross Domestic Product (GDP),
will be seated at the same table as
another regional organisation, the
European Union, and the world's
wealthiest countries. The G20 New
Delhi Leaders' Declaration said: “We
welcome the African Union as a
permanent member of the G20 and
strongly believe that inclusion of the
African Union into the G20 will
significantly contribute to addressing the
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi held bilateral talks with
US President Mr. Joe Biden in New Delhi.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 9
global challenges of our time.” Until
now, only South Africa, a permanent
member of the G20, could represent
the continent, and the AU was only
invited as a guest. As a full member,
the AU will weigh in on G20
commitments and prioritise its primary
interests, such as debt restructuring, the
reform of the international financial
architecture, and climate funding—as
long as African countries, like European
countries, overcome their divisions.
Financial Inclusion
India's measures to push the global
adoption of Digital Public Infrastructure
(DPI) received a boost with the official
endorsement by the G20. The three key
outcomes, making up three paragraphs
of the 83-paragraph G20 New Delhi
Leaders' Declaration, recognised a
global framework, forming an
international alliance to support
financing, and putting India in focus as
a leader in implementing digital public
infrastructure. A voluntary and suggested
framework for the development,
deployment and governance of DPI has
been unanimously accepted by all G20
member countries. The G20 New Delhi
Summit also marked significant progress
in addressing shared global challenges,
focusing on strengthening Multilateral
Development Banks (MDBs) and
financial inclusion. One of the notable
achievements at the Summit was the
unanimous endorsement of a
comprehensive Financial Inclusion
Action Plan for the upcoming two fiscal
years. It is to be noted that most of the
important elements of the \"finance
tracker\" got the G20 endorsement.
Conclusion
In the presence of leaders from across
the globe, including the US President
Mr. Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister
Mr. Rishi Sunak, the historic New Delhi
G20 Summit made significant strides
towards a new world order. As many
as 43 heads of the delegations took part
in the 19th G20 Summit at the newlybuilt Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
The G20, founded in 1999 with 19
countries and the European Union, came
to New Delhi for the first time, and
India left no stone unturned to make its
mark through one of the most influential
groups. India's G20 Presidency worked
to promote the universal spirit of
oneness through its chosen theme. One
can only hope that the outcomes of the
G20 will lead the world to become a
better place to live. q
G20 leaders paid homage to Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi
at Rajghat in New Delhi.
10 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
NEWS & KNOWLEDGE
India-Middle East-Europe
Economic Corridor
On the sidelines of the
G20 Summit in New
Delhi, Prime Minister
Mr. Narendra Modi and
the President of the USA,
Mr. Joe Biden, co-chaired
an event to launch the
India-Middle East-Europe
Corridor (IMEC) on
September 9, 2023. Joined
by the leaders of the
United Arab Emirates
(UAE), Saudi Arabia,
France, Italy, Germany
and the European Union,
Mr. Modi said, “Today, we
all have reached an
important and historic
partnership. It will be a major medium of economic integration between India,
West Asia and Europe.” He added that the corridor will give a new direction
to connectivity and sustainable development of the entire world. The landmark
corridor is part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment
(PGII), a collaborative effort by G7 nations to fund infrastructure projects in
the developing countries. PGII is considered as the G7’s counter to China’s
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
The IMEC will comprise two separate corridors: the east corridor connecting
India to the Arabian Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Arabian
Gulf to Europe. It will include a railway that, upon completion, will provide a
reliable and cost-effective cross-border ship-to-rail transit network to supplement
existing maritime and road transport routes—enabling goods and services to
transit to, from, and between India, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, and
Europe. Along the railway route, the proposed corridor will have the cables laid
for electricity and digital connectivity and pipelines for clean hydrogen export.
The corridor will secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility,
improve trade facilitation, and support an increased emphasis on environmental,
social, and governmental impacts. The corridor is expected to increase efficiencies,
reduce cost, enhance economic unity, generate jobs, and lower greenhouse gas
emissions—resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and the
Middle East.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 11
The Global Biofuel Alliance
Prime Minister
Mr. Narendra
Modi and leaders
of Singapore,
Bangladesh, Italy,
USA, Brazil,
Argentina, Mauritius and UAE
launched the
Global Biofuel
Alliance on
September 9,
2023, on the
sidelines of the
G20 Summit in
New Delhi. The
Global Biofuel
Alliance (GBA)
was an initiative
by India as the
G20 Chair. The Alliance intends to expedite the global uptake of biofuels by
facilitating technology advancements, intensifying the utilisation of sustainable
biofuels, shaping robust standard setting, and certification through the
participation of a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
Led by India, Brazil and the United States, the GBA aims to reshape the
global biofuel landscape, providing a collaborative platform for nations to
exchange best practices, accelerate technology development and bolster policy
framework. Biofuels, derived from renewable sources such as biomass and
agricultural waste, offer a greater alternative to conventional fossil fuels, with
lower carbon emissions. The GBA’s mission is to propel such sustainable
alternatives into the mainstream, contributing significantly to climate change
mitigation. Through technology transfer and support for domestic biofuel
production, the GBA can substantially alleviate the fiscal strain caused by oil
imports.
Bangladesh, Singapore, Mauritius, UAE, Iceland, Kenya, Guyana, Paraguay,
Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Uganda and Finland have agreed to be the initiating
members of the GBA. The international organisations which will also be part
of the GBA include the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, World Economic
Forum, World LPG Organisation, UN-Energy for All, UNIDO, Biofutures
Platform and International Civil Aviation, etc.
NEWS & KNOWLEDGE
Italian Prime Minister Ms. Giorgia Meloni, US President
Mr. Joe Biden and Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi
at the launch of the Global Biofuel Alliance
in New Delhi on September 9, 2023.
12 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
NEWS & KNOWLEDGE
The Trans-African Corridor
On the margins of
the Partnership for
Global Infrastructure
and Investment
(PGII) event at the
G20 Summit in
New Delhi on
September 9, 2023,
the United States of
America and the
European Union
(EU) announced
another trade corridor
through sub-Saharan
Africa. The TransAfrican Corridor,
specifically including
the Lobito Corridor,
will connect the
southern Democratic
Republic of the Congo (DRC) and northwestern Zambia to regional and global
trade markets via the port of Lobito in Angola. The US President, Mr. Joe
Biden, welcomed the commitment given by Angola, Zambia and the Congo to
develop the Lobito Corridor. The three African countries, the US and the EU
are teaming up to support the development of the Trans-African Corridor.
They will conduct feasibility studies for a new greenfield rail line expansion
between Zambia and Angola.
The three African countries—Angola, Zambia and DRC—are home to
significant deposits of cobalt, lithium and copper. The corridor connecting
them will be profoundly significant in light of the global shift towards electric
vehicles. While Angola lies on Africa’s western coast, Zambia is completely
landlocked, and DRC is also primarily so. The Trans-African Corridor will
connect the mineral-rich Katanga province in the DRC in central Africa to the
Atlantic port of Lobito in Angola through the copper belt in Zambia. Katanga
is reportedly the wealthiest province in the DRC, with reserves of gold, silver,
diamonds, coltan, uranium, platinum, cobalt, cassiterite and copper. This project
is noteworthy as China had displaced the US as Africa’s largest trading partner
in 2009. Through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has reportedly
invested $155 billion in projects in sub-Saharan Africa in the last two decades.
The Lobito project will likely enhance Indian access to critical minerals, which
China has been trying to corner.
US President Mr. Joe Biden and European Commission
President Ms. Ursula von der Leyen with other world
leaders during the event to launch the Trans-African
Corridor in New Delhi on September 9, 2023.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 13
India-Saudi Arabia Strategic
Partnership Council
Post G20 Summit in New Delhi,
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi
and Saudi Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud
co-chaired the first summit-level
meeting of the India-Saudi Arabia
Strategic Partnership Council (SPC)
on September 11, 2023. The Saudi
Crown Prince and Prime Minister,
popularly known as MBS, was on a
daylong State Visit to India after the
G20 Summit. The two leaders held
extensive talks and agreed to expand
trade and security ties. They decided
to expedite the implementation of
the $50-billion West Coast refinery
project and identified energy,
defence, semiconductor and space
as areas for intensified cooperation.
The West Coast refinery project is a
60 million tonnes refinery-cum-petrochemical complex to be built on the
Maharashtra coast by Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Bharat Petroleum
Corporation Ltd (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (HPCL)
from India, and Saudi Arabian Oil Co (Saudi Aramco) and Abu Dhabi National
Oil Co (ADNOC). The two sides also agreed to diversify the current status of
their hydrocarbon relationship into a “Comprehensive Energy Partnership”.
The India-Saudi Arabia SPC was set up in 2019, making India the fourth
country with which Riyadh formed such a partnership, after the UK, France,
and China. Aimed to “establish a high-level council to steer the Indo-Saudi
relationship,” the SPC has two main pillars: the Committee on Political, Security,
Social and Cultural Cooperation, and the Committee on Economy and
Investments. Both sub-committees have four functional levels of engagement:
Summit level, Ministerial-level, Senior Officials’ Meetings, and Joint Working
Groups (JWGs). After several meetings between the two countries at different
levels, priority areas of cooperation include collaboration in the digital fintech
sector through the operationalisation of UPI and RuPay Card in the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia; Re-affirmation of continued collaboration in joint projects,
including the West Coast refinery, LNG infrastructure investment and
development of strategic petroleum storage facilities in India.
NEWS & KNOWLEDGE
Visiting Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed
bin Salman Al Saud poses with Indian
President Ms. Droupadi Murmu and Indian
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi in
New Delhi on September 11, 2023.
14 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
NATIONAL
AUGUST 2023
8. The Union Government launches a
special initiative called ‘Transforming
Lives, Building Futures: Skill
Development & Entrepreneurship
in North-East’ to provide industryrelevant skill training to the region’s
2.5 lakh youth.
9. A study by the Indian Institute of
Management (IIM) Bangalore and the
International Labour Organization
(ILO) estimates that approximately
60 lakh direct and two crore indirect job
opportunities will be created through the
Union Government’s Jal Jeevan Mission.
10. The Lok Sabha defeats the
Opposition’s no-confidence motion
against the Government through a
voice vote following Prime Minister
Mr. Narendra Modi’s two-hour-long reply
Current Events
to the debate amidst the Opposition’s
walkout.
11. In a complete overhaul of colonialera criminal laws, Union Home Minister
Mr. Amit Shah introduces three Bills—
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023;
Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita
(BNSS) 2023; and Bharatiya Sakshya
(BS) Bill, 2023—in the Lok Sabha to
replace the IPC, CrPC and the Indian
Evidence Act, respectively.
12. Hon’ble President Ms. Droupadi
Murmu signs the Government of
National Capital Territory (Amendment)
Bill, 2023, that gives the Union
Government power to appoint and
transfer Group A officers in the Delhi
Government.
13. The National Council of
Educational Research and Training
A view of the world leaders at Rajghat after the New Delhi G20 Summit
held under India’s Presidency on September 9-10, 2023.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 15
(NCERT) forms a 19-member
committee to align “school syllabi,
textbooks, teaching materials, and
learning resources” with the National
Curriculum Framework (NCF).
14. Addressing the nation on the eve
of Independence Day, Hon’ble
President Ms. Droupadi Murmu says
India has emerged as a “beacon of
hope” for the world.
15. The Border Roads Organisation
(BRO) begins constructing the world’s
highest motorable road, the LikaruMigla-Fukche road, three kilometres
from the Line of Actual Control (LAC)
in Eastern Ladakh.
16. The Union Cabinet approves the
PM eBus Sewa Scheme to introduce
10,000 electric buses across 350 cities with
an estimated cost of Rs. 57,613 crore.
H The Union Cabinet approves the
Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana
(VKSY) for skilled workers with a fiveyear financial outlay of Rs. 13,000 crore.
17. Hon’ble President Ms. Droupadi
Murmu unveils the advanced stealth
frigate INS Vindhyagiri in a ceremony
held along Hooghly River in Kolkata.
H The Central Water Commission
(CWC) launches a home-grown mobile
application, FloodWatch, that disseminates information on flood situations
and forecasts for up to seven days on a
real-time basis on mobile phones.
18. The first-ever Global Summit on
Traditional Medicine, under the aegis of
the World Health Organization (WHO),
concludes in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
H The state-owned Advanced
Weapons & Equipment India Ltd.
(AWEIL) launches the country’s first
long-range side-swing revolver, ‘Prabal’.
19. The G20 Health Ministers’
Meeting under India’s G20 Presidency
concludes in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
20. A technical snag leads an
unmanned aerial vehicle, Tapas, to crash
on agricultural fields at Vaddikere village
in Karnataka’s Chitradurga district.
21. The Supreme Court decides to
form a panel of experts on environment,
hydrology, ecology and climate studies
to assess the “carrying capacity” of
overcrowding hill stations in
Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and
other Himalayan States.
22. The Ministry of Defence (MoD)
constitutes a nine-member committee to
review the functioning of the DRDO.
23. India creates history by becoming
the first-ever country in the world to
soft-land its spacecraft, Chandrayaan-3,
on the surface of the South Pole of the
Moon.
H DRDO and IAF successfully carry
out the first test of the indigenous Astra
air-to-air missile, with a Beyond Visual
Range (BVR) of 100 km, from the homegrown Tejas fighter off the coast of Goa.
24. Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Bombay receives an anonymous donation
of Rs. 160 crore from an alumnus for
setting up a Green Energy & Sustainability
Research Hub on the campus.
25. The G20 Trade and Investment
Ministerial Meeting, under India’s G20
Hon’ble President Ms. Droupadi Murmu
launched INS Vindhyagiri for Indian
Navy along the Hooghly River in
Kolkata on August 17, 2023.
16 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Presidency, concludes at Jaipur,
Rajasthan, with a consensus on five
concrete and action-oriented deliverables.
26. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi
names Chandrayaan-3’s touchdown site
on the lunar surface of the Moon’s South
Pole as “Shiv Shakti Point” and
Chandrayaan-2’s site as “Tiranga”.
27. Addressing B20 Meet with industry
leaders, Prime Minister Mr. Narendra
Modi invokes “mutual trust” and
“democratic values” to pitch for
investment in India.
29. The Union Government announces
the sharpest-ever cut in the prices of
domestic LPG cylinders by Rs. 200 to
38 crore common users and by Rs. 400
to 9.6 crore poor households using free
connection under the Ujjwala scheme.
30. About 8 in 10 Indians have a
favourable view of Prime Minister
Mr. Narendra Modi, with a majority of
55% expressing a very favourable
opinion, according to a US-based think
tank Phew Research Center survey.
31. According to the National Statistical
Office data, India’s real GDP registers a
four-quarter high growth of 7.8% in the
April-June quarter of FY 2023-24.
H India’s first indigenously developed
nuclear power plant, boasting a capacity
of 700 MW, commences full-capacity
operations at Kakrapar, Mandvi, in the
Surat district of Gujarat.
SEPTEMBER 2023
1. The Union Government forms a
high-powered committee under the
Chairmanship of former President
Mr. Ram Nath Kovind to examine the
viability of the One Nation One
Election concept.
2. Canada halts negotiations for a free
trade agreement with India.
4. China announces that its President
Mr. Xi Jinping will not attend the G20
Summit in New Delhi.
5. Mention of the Hon’ble President
Ms. Droupadi Murmu as “President of
Bharat” instead of the traditional
“President of India” sparks speculation
on whether the Union Government is
moving to change the country’s name
from India to Bharat.
7. The Union Cabinet approves the
Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA) to speed
up the development of multi-system
low-carbon energy pathways.
8. The US President Mr. Joe Biden
arrives in New Delhi for the G20
Summit and reaffirms a “stronger,
closer, and more dynamic US-India
partnership than ever in history” after
bilateral talks with Prime Minister
Mr. Narendra Modi.
9. In a historic success for the
country, the G20 Summit under India’s
Presidency adopts the New Delhi
Declaration with consensus on more
than 100 issues, including the most
contentious one on the Russia-Ukraine
war.
10. Prime Minister Mr. Narendra
Modi hands over the gavel of the G20
Presidency to the President of Brazil,
Mr. Luis Inacio da Silva, at the
conclusion of the grouping’s two-day
Summit in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi handed
over the gavel of G20 Presidency to Brazilian
President Mr. Luis Inacio da Silva at the
conclusion of the grouping's Summit in
New Delhi on September 10, 2023.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 17
INTERNATIONAL
AUGUST 2023
8. China’s exports take a double-digit
14.5% plunge in July 2023, while
imports drop by 12.4% in dollar terms.
9. The data from China’s National
Bureau of Statistics shows that the
country’s Consumer Price Index (CPI)
declined by 0.3% in July 2023 compared
to a year ago, marking its first deflation
since February 2021.
10. Pakistan President Mr. Arif Alvi
approves the premature dissolution of
the National Assembly, acting upon
the advice of outgoing Prime Minister
Mr. Shehbaz Sharif.
11. After designating a new Omicron
coronavirus subvariant, EG.5, as a
‘Variant of Interest’, the World Health
Organization (WHO) says there has
been an 80% rise in Covid-19 cases
globally between July 10 and August 6,
2023. Still, it is unlikely to pose a severe
threat.
12. The King of Jordan approves a
Bill to punish online speeches harmful
to national unity, including comments
promoting, instigating, aiding, or inciting
immortality and demonstrating
contempt for religion.
13. Russia reports a rare economic
growth of 4.9% in the April-June 2023
period compared to a year earlier, the
country’s first gain in economic growth
since the beginning of the war in Ukraine.
14. Mr. Anwar-ul Haq Kakar, a
prominent ethnic Pushtun leader of the
Balochistan Awami Party with close ties
to the powerful military, takes oath as
interim caretaker Prime Minister of
Pakistan.
15. China’s fertility rate drops to a
record low of 1.09 in 2022 despite all
the efforts by the authorities to boost
the country’s declining number of new
births.
16. The Islamist mobs rampage a
Christian colony in Pakistan’s Punjab
province, setting at least five churches
ablaze following allegations of
blasphemy by local residents.
17. Sixteen Ministers and three
Advisers join Pakistan’s newly-formed
caretaker government, including
Ms. Mushaal Hussein Malik, the jailed
Kashmiri separatist Yasin Malik’s wife,
as a special adviser to the interim Prime
Minister.
18. Ushering in a new era of trilateral
partnership in a historic summit at the
US presidential retreat of Camp David,
US President Mr. Joe Biden, Japanese
PM Mr. Fumio Kishida and South
Korean President Mr. Yoon Suk Yeol
resolve to expand their security and
economic ties.
19. China conducts air and sea drills
around Taiwan in a so-called “stern
warning” after the Island’s VicePresident Mr. Willian Lai returns from
visiting the USA, ignoring China’s
threats against the visit.
Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi
with his Greek counterpart Mr. Kyriakos
Mitsotakis after holding bilateral talks
in Athens on August 25, 2023.
18 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
20. Russia’s first lunar mission since
1976, Luna-25, crashes into the Moon,
as the preliminary inquiry finds that the
spacecraft “deviated from its planned
orbit and ceased its existence” after a
“failed orbital adjustment” while landing
on the lunar surface.
21. New Zealand launches probe into
the alleged case of exploitation of 115
Indian and Bangladeshi nationals
brought to the country on the promise
of employment that did not materialise.
22. Iran unveils its latest domestically
built attack drone, Mohajer-10, with
enhanced capabilities.
23. Africa’s 48 countries agree to
adopt the Kampala Ministerial
Declaration on Migration, Environment
and Climate Change (KDMECC) at a
Conference of States in Nairobi, Kenya.
H Thai property tycoon Mr. Srettha
Thavisin takes office as the new Prime
Minister of Thailand following a decisive
vote in parliament in his favour.
24. The 15th BRICS Summit
concludes in Johannesburg, South
Africa, with a consensual decision to
expand the grouping by including
another six countries: Argentina, Egypt,
Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the
United Arab Emirates (UAE).
H Japan begins pumping more than
a million metric tonnes of treated
radioactive water from the destroyed
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant
into the Pacific Ocean.
25. On his visit to Greece, the first
by an Indian PM in 40 years, Prime
Minister Mr. Narendra Modi holds talks
with his Greek counterpart Mr. Kyriakos
Mitsotakis in Athens, where the two
countries agree to elevate ties to a
‘strategic partnership’.
26. Zimbabwe’s President
Mr. Emmerson Mnangagwa wins a
second term in office after being
declared the presidential election winner
with 52.6% votes in his favour.
27. The second ship carrying steel
products to Africa leaves Ukraine’s
Odesa port through a temporary Black
Sea corridor since Russia withdrew from
the US-brokered deal to provide safe
passage for grain export.
28. The California State Assembly
in the USA passes an anti-caste
discrimination bill, SB 403, to combat
caste discrimination and strengthen
protections for marginalised communities across the State.
29. The US announces an additional
$250 million aid in weapons and
ammunition to Ukraine as part of its
ongoing support of Kyiv’s counteroffensive.
30. Military officers seize power in the
oil-rich Central African nation of
Gabon, overturning the results of a
disputed election that gave incumbent
President Mr. Ali Bongo Ondimba a
third term in office.
31. British Prime Minister Mr. Rishi
Sunak appoints key ally Ms. Claire
Coutinho, an Indian-origin member of
Mr. Srettha Thavisin on August 23,
2023 took office as the new Prime
Minister of Thailand.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 19
SPORTS
parliament with roots in Goa and Pune,
as Secretary of State for Energy Security
and Net Zero. The 38-year-old becomes
the youngest Cabinet member in the
UK.
SEPTEMBER 2023
1. An Indian-origin economist,
Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam, wins the
election to become Singapore’s next
President, bagging 70.4% votes to defeat
two other Chinese-origin candidates by
a large margin.
2. Thousands of traders in Pakistan
keep their shops shut for a day in a
strike over soaring energy and fuel bills,
stirring widespread discontent among
people.
3. The US Commerce Secretary,
Ms. Gina Raimondo, announces that the
US will not sell high-end American chips
to the Chinese military.
4. Pakistan’s caretaker Prime Minister
Mr. Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar announces
Indian-origin economist Mr. Tharman
Shanmugaratnam on September 1, 2023
won the election to become Singapore's
next President.
that Saudi Arabia will invest up to
$25 billion in Pakistan over the next
two to five years in various sectors.
5. Signalling the powerful military’s
key role in Pakistan, Army Chief
General Asim Munir holds a marathon
four-hour-long meeting with the
business community, promising all-out
efforts to bring in foreign investment
worth billions of dollars to the cashstrapped country.
6. The local authorities running
Britain’s second-largest city, Birmingham, limit themselves to maintaining
only essential services. They declare the
council effectively bankrupt due to an
annual shortfall of millions of pounds.
7. Researchers from one of the biggest
tech companies, Microsoft, say they have
found a network of Chinese-controlled
fake social media accounts seeking to
influence US voters using Artificial
Intelligence (AI).
8. Mr. Nicolas Maduro, the President
of Venezuela, the country seeking
economic relief from China as it struggles
to service mountains of debt, arrives in
Beijing for a seven-day trip to talk with
the Chinese President, Mr. Xi Jinping.
9. A 6.8 magnitude earthquake with
its epicentre 72 km southwest of
Marrakech, Morocco’s fourth largest
city, kills more than 2,000 people.
10. The US President Mr. Joe Biden
begins his brief Vietnam visit by telling
the leadership in Hanoi that the two
nations have a chance to shape the IndoPacific for decades to come.
AUGUST 2023
12. India fights from two goals down to
beat Malaysia 4-3 and win the 2023 Asian
Hockey Champions Trophy at the Mayor
Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai.
13. West Indies wins the five-match
T20 International series against India
3-2 after an eight-wicket victory in the
fifth and final match at Central Broward
Stadium in Florida, USA.
20 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
19. India’s 15-year-old Anahat Singh
defeats Hong Kong’s Ena Kwong
3-1 to clinch the girl’s singles title in
the U-17 Asian Junior Squash
Championships 2023 in Dalian, China.
20. India completes its campaign with
14 medals, comprising four gold, three
silver and seven bronze, at the 2023 U20
World Wrestling Championships in
Amman, Jordan.
H Spain creates history by winning
their first-ever Women’s World Cup title
after securing a 1-0 win over England
at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
final in Sydney, Australia.
H Serbian Novak Djokovic beats
Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz 5-7, 7-6(7),
7-6(4) to win the 2023 Cincinnati Open
final at a packed Linder Tennis Family
Centre in Mason, Ohio, USA.
24. India’s 18-year-old chess prodigy
Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa finishes
second-best at the FIDE World Cup
2023 after five-time world champion
Magnus Carlsen of Norway tops him in
rapid tie-breaker games of the final in
Baku, Azerbaijan.
26. India’s visually challenged
women’s cricket team scripts history by
beating Australia by nine wickets to win
the gold medal at the IBSA World
Games in Birmingham, England.
27. India’s Olympic champion Neeraj
Chopra secures another place in history
by winning the gold medal in the men’s
javelin throw event with a throw of
88.17m at the World Athletics
Championships 2023 in Budapest,
Hungary.
28. India beats Thailand 7-2 in the
final to win the inaugural Women’s
Hockey 5s Asia Cup in Oman. This
is also Asia’s qualifying tournament for
the Women’s Hockey 5s World Cup
2024.
SEPTEMBER 2023
2. India beats Pakistan 2-0 in the
penalty shootout after scoring 4-4 in
normal time in the final to win the
inaugural Men’s Hockey 5s Asia Cup
2023 in Salalah, Oman.
H The 17-year-old Woman
Grandmaster, Divya Deshmukh, wins
the women’s rapid championship at the
Tata Steel Chess tournament in Kolkata,
securing the top position with a
remarkable score of 7 points. She leaves
behind reigning world champion Ju
Wenjun of China at 6.5 points and
Russia’s Polina Shuvalova at third with
5.5 points.
3. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wins
the Italian Grand Prix, the 14th round
of the 2023 Formula One Championship, in Monza, Italy, setting a new record
of 10 consecutive F1 race victories.
H Mohan Bagan Super Giant beats
arch-rivals East Bengal 1-0 in the final
to clinch the Durand Cup title for the
first time after 23 years in Kolkata.
10. Germany wins their first-ever FIBA
Basketball World Cup title by beating
Serbia 83-77 in the final in Manila.
India’s star athlete Neeraj Chopra on
August 27, 2023 won gold medal in
the men's javelin throw at the
World Athletics Championships 2023
in Budapest, Hungary.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 21
HONOURS & AWARDS
AUGUST 2023
14. Harvard University confers its
coveted George Ledlie Prize on
prominent Indian-American economist
Mr. Raj Chetty for wielding big data to
break myths about who achieves the
American Dream.
17. Five youths from India are named
among 17 teen environmental activists
from across the globe to receive the
2023 International Young Eco-Hero
Award by the US-based non-profit
organisation ‘Action For Nature’ for
their initiatives to tackle the world’s most
pressing environmental challenges. The
young eco-warriors are Ms. Eiha Dixit
from Meerut, Ms. Manya Harsha from
Bengaluru, Mr. Nirvaan Somany and
Ms. Mannat Kaur from New Delhi, and
Mr. Karnav Rastogi from Mumbai.
25. Greek President Ms. Katerina N.
Sakellaropoulou confers on Prime
Minister Mr. Narendra Modi the country’s
highest civilian honour, the Grand Cross
of the Order of Honour, “in recognition
of his outstanding contributions to
the promotion of bilateral relations
between Greece and India”, during
Mr. Modi’s visit to the country.
29. Ms. Shanta Thoutam, the Chief
Innovation Officer (CIO) in Telangana,
with seven years of service in the State’s
innovation ecosystem, receives the World
Innovation Award 2023 at the first BRICS
Innovation Forum in Moscow, Russia.
31. Mr. Ravi Kannan R. from India
wins the Ramon Magsaysay ‘Hero for
Holistic Healthcare’ Award, while
Ms. Miriam Coronel-Ferrer from the
Philippines gets the Women in PeaceBuilding Pioneer Award. Other
Magsaysay Award winners include
Mr. Eugenio Lemos from Timor-Leste
(Food Sovereignty Visionary) and
Mr. Korvi Rakshand (Education-forAll Champion) from Bangladesh.
SEPTEMBER 2023
1. Reserve Bank of India Governor
Mr. Shaktikanta Das is ranked as the top
central banker globally by the US-based
magazine Global Finance, placing him
above the three foremost central bank
governors rated A+ in the Global Finance
Central Banker Report Card 2023.
5. Hon’ble President Ms. Droupadi
Murmu confers the National Teachers’
Award 2023 on 75 educators at Vigyan
Bhawan in New Delhi for their
innovative teaching methods, impactful
research, community engagement and
the novelty of their educational work.
The recipients include 50 school
teachers, 13 higher education teachers
and 12 teachers involved in skill
development and entrepreneurship.
6. Mumbai Professor Satyajit
Majumdar, Dean of the School of
Management and Labour Studies from
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS),
who has mentored more than 350 startups, receives the Dr. V.G. Patel Memorial
Award 2023 for Entrepreneurship
Trainer, Educator and Mentor in
recognition of his work in promoting
and strengthening entrepreneurship in
India. Dr. Patel is widely acknowledged
as the Father of the Entrepreneurship
Movement in India.
RBI Governor Mr. Shaktikanta Das
was ranked as the top central banker
globally by the US-based magazine
‘Global Finance’ on September 1, 2023.
22 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
AUGUST 2023
16. South Korean scientists from the
Korea Advanced Institute of Science &
Technology (KAIST) develop “Pibot”,
a humanoid robot that can fly aircraft
and understand complex flight manuals.
19. Union Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Science &
Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh unveils
a new variety of lotus flowers, named
‘NBRI Namoh 108’, with 108 petals.
It has been developed by CSIRNational Botanical Research Institute
(CSIR-NBRI), a premier plantbased, multidisciplinary, state-of-theart National R&D centre based in
Lucknow.
21. The Hubble space telescope
captures stunning images of the irregular
galaxy ESO 300-16, which lies
28.7 million light-years from Earth in
the constellation Eridanus, in the form
of a ghostly assemblage of stars which
resembles a sparkling cloud.
29. Chandrayaan-3’s Pragyan rover
confirms the presence of sulphur on the
Moon. This is announced by the Indian
Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
while sharing the results of the first
such in-situ recordings near the lunar
South Pole that will be crucial for
understanding the Moon’s elemental
composition. The rover also detects
other elements on the lunar surface,
including aluminium, calcium, iron,
chromium, titanium, manganese, silicon
and oxygen.
30. The Council of Scientific &
Industrial Research Central Mechanical
Engineer Research Institute (CSIRCMERI) develops a compact electric
tractor, CSIR PRIMA ET 11, entirely
designed and manufactured with
indigenous components and
technologies.
SEPTEMBER 2023
2. The Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) successfully
launches the country’s first solar
observatory mission, the Aditya L1,
onboard the heaviest ‘XL’ configurations
of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
(PSLV-XL) from Satish Dhawan Space
Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh,
aiming to place it in a halo orbit around
the Lagrange 1 Point, almost 15 lakh
kilometres away from the Earth.
6. In getting an aerial view of India’s
landing on the Moon, US space agency
NASA’s Moon orbiter captures a
photograph of the Vikram lander of
Chandrayaan-3 from the lunar orbit.
7. The Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO) releases “a selfimage and images of the Earth and the
Moon” sent by the Aditya L1, marking
the first photographs by India’s first
solar mission spacecraft since its launch.
H Joining the global race for the
Moon, Japan’s Aerospace Exploration
Agency (JAXA) launches “Moon
Sniper”, its lunar exploration spacecraft,
carrying a ‘Small Lander for
Investigating Moon’ (SLIM) along with
an X-ray telescope that will explore the
origins of the universe, onboard a homegrown rocket HII-A.
CSIR-CMERI on August 30, 2023
unveiled an indigenous compact electric
tractor, CSIR PRIMA ET 11.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 23
From kings to commoners, classes to
masses, jewellery has fascinated one and
all throughout the different periods of
human evolution the world over.
Archaeologists have found traces of
jewellery being made and worn in almost
every period of human history. The
oldest jewellery made out of animal
bones was found in Croatia and dates
back to the Neanderthal period, circa
135,000 years ago. The cradle of
civilisation, as India is known, has been
no different when it comes to love and
passion for jewellery. And the
phenomenon not only continues to this
day but also promises to go on for
posterity, cutting across the genders,
classes and social standings. This is one
aspect of Indians' worldly yearnings that
has not only remained intact since
ancient times but has in fact also
grown with every passing generation.
Not only flaunting jewellery as a way of
customary tradition as a fashion
statement, Indians also attach a lot of
symbolic value to it.
Given their passion, Indians are
regarded as one of the best connoisseurs
of ornaments in the world. The secrets
of the jewellery making have been
handed down over generations, ensuring
continuity of traditional world-renowned
craft. The modern times and advent of
technology have only added a new
dimension to this passion for jewellery
in India. But have you ever wondered
who are the people transforming the raw
gems and precious metals into the
objects of desire? They are jewellery
designers! You put together the creative
skills of a designer, the precision of a
highly skilled artisan and knowledge of
precious stones & metals, and a jewellery
designer is born.
With the appetite for artistic jewellery
continuously growing in India and
abroad, there has been ever-increasing
demand for jewellery designers. As such,
if you have that knack for sophisticated
creativity and artistry, a career in
Jewellery Designing is the best for you.
JEWELLERY DESIGN
CAREERS & COURSES
Promising Career Of Creative Excellence
24 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Jewellery artistry skills include illustrating
the shape, form and texture of metal;
working with drafting tools; and
rendering yellow and white metals, as
well as a range of faceted and cabochon
gemstones and pearls.
The Gems and Jewellery sector in
India comprises Diamonds, Gemstones,
Pearls, Gold, Silver and Platinum
Jewellery. And each of these sectors has
been buzzing with activity and brimming
with professional opportunities. The
introduction of new technologies to the
realm of jewellery like computer-aided
design (CAD), 3D Wax Printing and
Computerised Numerical Control has
further revolutionised this sector like
never before. The uniqueness that Indian
Gems & Jewellery Industry
In Union Budget 2023-24
LGD: The Union Budget 2023-24
has put special emphasis on the growth
and development of ‘Lab Grown
Diamond (LGD)’, which is a
technology-and-innovation-driven
emerging sector with high employment
potential. To harness the potential
of LGD or synthetic diamond, the
Union Budget 2023-24 has focussed
on research & development in this
segment to make it competitive in the
international markets. To encourage
indigenous production of LGD seeds
and machines, and to reduce import
dependency, a research and development grant will be provided to one of
the IITs for five years. It would ensure
India’s end-to-end world leadership in
rough to finished lab-grown diamond
and jewellery manufacturing. It has also
been proposed to cut Customs Duty
on LGD seeds to zero from 5% with
a view to boosting domestic manufacturing. In addition to that, the
government has also agreed to have
clear segregation Customs (IT HS)
codes for Silver and Platinum-studded
lab grown jewellery for better
differentiation and identification at
consumer level. The environmentfriendly LGDs have optically and
chemically the same properties as
natural diamonds.
Duties & Taxes: In the Union
Budget 2023-24, the government
maintained the Customs Duty at 10%.
Besides, the government also proposed
to increase the import duty on silver
dore, bars and articles to 10% to align
them with that on gold and platinum.
Currently, the basic Customs Duty on
silver dore is 6.1%, while on semimanufactured items, it is 7.5%. On a
positive note, the Budget also
announced that the conversion of
physical gold to Electronic Gold
Receipt will not attract any capital
gains.
jewellery offers, has been taking the
India's allure for ornaments to almost
all parts of the world—if the high
growth of Indian gem and jewellery
industry is any indication.
Indeed, the gem and jewellery industry
offers you extremely bright career
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 25
Top Institutes
Ø Academy of Fashion & Design, Delhi
Ø Arch Academy of Fashion, Arts & Design, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Ø Central India Institute of Mass Communication, Nagpur, Maharashtra
Ø Delhi Gem and Jewellery Institute, Delhi
Ø Dnads D Newage School of Design, Secunderabad, Telangana
Ø Dr. Dharmambal Government Polytechnic College for Women, CanadaIndian Institutional Cooperation Project, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Ø Gandhi Institute of Fashion Design & Textile Design, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Ø Gem Craft Jewellery Institute, Delhi
Ø Gem Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Ø Gemnological Institute of India, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ø Gemstones Artisans Training School, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Ø GJI Gemological & Jewellery Institute, Delhi
Ø IIFA Lancaster Degree College, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Ø IMS DIA : Design Innovation Academy, Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Ø Indian Diamond Institute, Surat, Gujarat
Ø Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ø Indian Institute of Jewellery Designing, Thane, Maharashtra
Ø Indore Professional Studies Academy, Indore, Madhya Pradesh
Ø Institute of Design, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Ø International Institute of Fashion Technology, Delhi
Ø Jagannath Rathi Vocational Guidance and Training Institute, Pune, Maharashtra
Ø Jewellery Design and Technology Institute, Delhi
Ø Jewellery Export Promotion Council, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ø Kothari College of Management Science and Technology, Indore, Madhya
Pradesh
Ø Le Mark Institute of Art, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ø National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Ø National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata,
Gandhinagar, Hyderabad and Chennai
Ø PD Institute, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Ø Pearl Academy of Fashion, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Ø Raffles Millennium International, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Ø Shri Bhaubhai Mafatlal Polytechnic, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ø Sinhgad School of Gemnology and Jewellery Designing, Pune, Maharashtra
Ø Small Industries Service Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Ø South Delhi Polytechnic for Women, Delhi
Ø St. Xavier’s College, Geology Department, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ø The Ashram School of Careers, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Ø The Jasami Department of Jewellery Design & Manufacture, SNDT University
Campus, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ø Vakalls Academy of Jewellery Design, Mumbai, Maharashtra
Ø Vogue Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, Karnataka
26 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
prospects as Jewellery Designer to the
posterity, provided you are cut out for
this domain—i.e. you have ingenious
creativity and imagination, a good sense
of fashion, accessories and design, an
eye for detail and knack for learning and
keeping abreast of the ever-changing
trends.
Indian Gems & Jewellery
Adding Lustre With Time
That Indians are foremost lovers of
jewellery and precious metals is no secret.
As such, India is the world's largest
importer of gold and the annual import is
over 1000 tonnes, which still falls short of
the demand. The Gems and Jewellery
sector in the country plays a significant
role in Indian economy, contributing
around 7% to the GDP and about 12% to
India's total merchandise exports. As per
the data compiled by India Brand Equity
Foundation from official sources, India's
Gems and Jewellery sector is one of the
largest in the world contributing 29% to
the global jewellery consumption. The
sector is home to more than 3,00,000 gems
and jewellery players. Its overall market
size is expected to cross $110 billion by
the end of 2023 on account of changing
lifestyle, rising disposable income,
changing consumer preferences of
branded jewellery products, and growing
urbanisation. Other major factors such
as product-innovation and technological
How To Become
A Jewellery Designer
Approach–1
Class 10 all subjects as per scheme
of studies
Class 11-12 with any subject as per
scheme of studies
Certificate/Diploma in Jewellery
Designing
Approach-2
Class 10 all subjects as per
scheme of studies
Class 11-12 with any subject
as per scheme of studies
UG in Fine Arts/Jewellery
Designing/Jewellery Design
& Technology
Approach-3
Class 10 all subjects as per scheme
of studies
Class 11-12 with any subject
as per scheme of studies
UG in Fine Arts/Jewellery
Designing/Jewellery Design
& Technology
PG in Fine Arts/Jewellery
Designing/Jewellery Design
& Technology/similar subject
28 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
advancements, the introduction of new
jewellery segments by market players such
as men’s jewellery, costume jewellery,
lightweight jewellery, etc., are anticipated
to further drive the growth of India’s
gems and jewellery market in the
upcoming five years. India being the
largest manufacturer of cut and polished
diamonds globally, its global diamond
market share is 60% and 90% in value
terms and volume terms, respectively. The
sector employs over 5 million people,
which is expected to reach more than
8 million by the end of 2023. One of the
fastest growing sectors, it is extremely
export oriented and labour intensive. With
an increasing Western influence, the taste
of Indian jewellery customers is ever
changing, thus presenting both
opportunities and challenges to the
Jewellery Designers in the country.
Making Of A
Jewellery Designer
Jewellery adds fullness and another
sheet of allegory to one’s appearance.
Jewellery has been in fashion trends since
the ancient times. This is the trend that
would never fade away. Have you ever
thought who is behind the window in
designing the mesmerising designs to add
richness to your looks? A creative art
like jewellery designing owes much to
the power of conceptualisation. Without
proper conceptualisation, no innovative
design is possible. After a design is
conceptualised, manufacturing begins
and various jewellery items are produced
for the market. Many institutes in India
offer long-term, short-term and even
distance learning programmes in
jewellery designing.
Ø There are many jewellery designing
courses available all over India. For
joining a diploma course, you have to
complete your graduation in any field
and for short-term courses, the minimum
qualification can either be class 10 or a
10 + 2. It is advisable to pursue a
programme in jewellery design, B.Des.,
from a renowned design school such as
National Institute of Fashion Technology
(NIFT) or National Institute of Design
(NID). The study in this field teaches
you basic skills like stone-cutting,
engraving and polishing and testing the
quality of precious metals and gems.
Special skills like electroplating, metal
colouring, anodising, enamelling and
stone-setting are also taught to students
of jewellery designing.
Ø After completing your bachelors
degree in design, B.Des., from a
recognised design school you should
look for an internship with a renowned
jewellery house in India or abroad.
Alternatively, you can do a Master’s
course in designing also.
Ø Diploma programmes in jewellery
designing are available in some of the
leading institutes in India. These courses
are available after completing graduation
in any stream. However, a good
grounding in creative arts is a plus point.
These courses impart knowledge about
different types of stones, design themes,
presentations, jewellery costing and
jewellery-making. Some of the courses
use computer-aided programmes for
designing jewellery and accessories. On
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 29
the technical front, you get to learn the art
of working with precious metals, alloys
and the mathematics that goes into the
manufacturing of flawless jewellery items.
Step 1: Complete Training
Although no formal education is
necessary to work in this field, liberal
arts colleges, fashion institutes and
universities offer jewellery design degree
programmes to those who do not plan
to freelance immediately. Short-term
jewellery sales diplomas and certificate
programmes are also available.
Ø During these training programmes,
students learn the fundamentals of casting
shapes and analysing stones through
courses in sculpture, metalwork and
soldering. The art of jewellery design is
developed through courses in jewellery
sculpture, costume jewellery, gemmology
and fashion history. Although a student
may elect a studio or design specialisation,
taking elective classes in both may offer
more effective career preparation
The Gem And Jewellery
Export Promotion Council
The Gem & Jewellery Export
Promotion Council (GJEPC) is the apex
body driving India’s export-led growth
in the gem and jewellery sector
since 1966. Headquartered in Mumbai
with regional offices across the country,
the Council has over 7,000 members in
its fold. It plays a vital role in facilitating
better interaction on trade-related
issues between the industry and the
Government of India. It is also
executing the Kimberly Process
Certification Scheme in the country, as
the Nodal Agency appointed by the
Government of India. The GJEPC also
runs training institutes that impart
manufacturing skills, technical and
design excellence in six cities—Mumbai,
Delhi, Surat, Jaipur, Varanasi and
Udupi.
The GJEPC also provides MSMEs
with affordable modern machines
and tools at Common Facility Centres
besides setting up Jewellery Parks
across the country. One of its key
responsibilities is to promote Brand
India in global jewellery market. Its
declared vision is “To make India the
preferred source for quality gems and
jewellery.”
Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery
(IIGJ) Mumbai, a project of the Gem
& Jewellery Export Promotion Council
of India, has come up with three-year
Graduate Programme in Jewellery
Design & Manufacturing Techniques
with an introduction to Management
studies in collaboration with Welingkar
Institute of Management. Due to the
shortage of skilled manpower, the
Gems and Jewellery Skill Council of
India has tied up with many existing
training institutes including Gemological
Institute of America (GIA) and Indian
Gemological Institute (IGI).
30 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
REQUISITE SKILLS
FOR BECOMING A
JEWELLERY DESIGNER
If you have the following skills and
abilities, you would make a great
jeweller:
« An eye for detail. Creating
jewellery requires concentration
and patience. Bench jewellers must
give attention to large and small
details on the pieces they make.
« Arm and hand steadiness and
control, plus finger dexterity.
Jewellers must precisely move
their fingers in order to grasp,
manipulate and assemble very
small objects.
« 3-D visualisation skills. Jewellers
must imagine how something
might look after its shape is altered
or when its parts are rearranged.
The ability to “see” a design in
three dimensions helps.
« Interpersonal skills. Some jewellery
makers do not interact with
customers, especially if they work
for a design or retail firm that
hires designers and sales associates
to work directly with customers.
But given the growth of
customised jewellery, an increasing
number will benefit from this skill
in the future.
« Artistic ability and a knowledge
of popular jewellery styles. This
is helpful if you will be working
with customers. However, many
bench jewellers are not designers
and simply execute designs made
by others.
« A strong sense of integrity and
honesty. Because many jewellery
materials are valuable, being
trustworthy is a very important
quality in a jeweller.
Ø Build your portfolio. As students master
design and metalwork techniques, they
can add each finished piece to a
professional portfolio. This collection of
work demonstrates jewellery design ability
and artistic expression to potential
employers. Individuals can continue to
add pieces, sketches and renderings to
their portfolio, even after they have left
school. They can also edit their portfolio
into a concise volume of their best works.
Ø Become proficient in computer-aided design
(CAD). Knowledge of CAD software is
a valuable skill in jewellery design.
Artists learn how to use these drawing
programs to view design options and to
determine accurate measurements and
aesthetics. Although most degree
programmes offer CAD training as a
core or elective course, students may
want to supplement these programmes
with shorter diplomas or certificate
programmes to gain greater proficiency
using CAD software
Step 2: Learn the Business Side of
the Field
In addition to the creative and technical
aspects of jewellery-making, prospective
jewellery designers should also become
familiar with industry standards and
business practices such as diamond and
precious stone grading, base pricing,
market analysis and production costs.
Students who plan to become freelance
jewellery designers may want to take
advantage of educational and professional
jewellery associations.
Step 3: Gain Recognition
A jewellery designer can enter
competitions or exhibition-cum-sales as
a means of gaining industry exposure
and determining popular designs that
might increase sales. The professional
competitions offer participants an
opportunity to cultivate valuable industry
connections and increase potential sales.
In this way, students get to learn both
technical and aesthetic traits of jewellery
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 31
designing. Once you complete your course,
you are a qualified designer who can make
custom-made and designer jewellery.
The successful completion of the course
will open the doors to unlimited job
opportunities for aspiring jewellery
designers due to the recent boom in the
gem and jewellery industry. Talented
designers can even design and launch
their own range of exclusive jewellery.
Career Opportunities In The
Field Of Jewellery Designing
On the back of a sizzling growth of the
organised jewellery industry, striking job
openings and exciting entry-level salaries,
many specialised institutes catering to the
industry have mushroomed in the recent
past. It is a good time to consider jewellery
designing as a career choice. India is the
largest gems and jewellery market in the
world, but largely in the unorganised sector
with a significant focus on gold. With the
entry of big players like Tanishq,
Swarovski, DeBeers, the shifting thrust
on gems and stones rather than pure gold
is giving a big push to the organised gems
and jewellery industry.
Jewellery Designing, a growing sector
of the Indian economy, earns a lot of
foreign exchange for our country.
Moreover, in India, people have become
more conscious about the jewellery they
wear; it is no more a mere investment
but also a style statement and this has
led to a great demand for creative hands
who can design jewellery for different
moods and occasions. The boom in the
gems and jewellery industry has brought
innumerable employment opportunities
for jewellery designers. A new breed of
jewellery designers has emerged of late
due to the rising market demand for
branded ornaments. Employment
opportunities for professionals are
enormous in this field. And what is more
exciting is the fact that the growth in this
industry is expected to continue in the
coming years. The global fashion industry
welcomes professionally qualified
jewellery designers from across the world.
There is a perpetual requirement of
creative minds that can create designer
jewellery and other fashion accessories
for fashion shows and fashion retailing.
With a good experience, you can find
a lucrative job in an international
jewellery export house or a jewellery
designing firm.
You can also start your own freelance
designing business or set up your own
retail and trading unit keeping in mind
that the initial cost of setting up your
business is high and also because all job
vacancies for jewellery designers are
usually not advertised. Therefore, you
will have to put in a great deal of effort
to gain a foothold in this industry.
Different Roles, Different Names
As a jewellery designer you can
specialise in any particular aspect of
jewellery designing. Following are the
different names given to varied
specialisations and their different roles:
« Jewellery Designer or Artist: A
professional whose primary
responsibility is ideating new jewellery
32 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
designs and then rendering or drawing
those designs.
« Goldsmith: Expert in making any
standard or traditional range of
jewellery.
« Fashion Jeweller: One who specialises
in designing jewellery for the Fashion
Industry.
« Manufacturer: Runs either a small unit
or a mass production house. Markets
his own line of branded jewellery.
« Repair Person: A professional who
specialises in the art of mending
various jewellery products or
accessories.
« Lapidary: An expert in setting of
precious and semi-precious stones in
various jewellery products.
« Entrepreneurs: Who can start their
own jewellery and accessory stores.
« Jewel Designer: One who can work
freelance by opening an independent
studio or by becoming an associate,
at small, medium and large companies
in the sector or in public and private
institutions.
PAY PACKAGE
● As a trainee or intern or a fresher,
you can earn around Rs. 8,000 to
30,000 per month.
● At the junior level with 2-6 years of
experience, you can earn around
Rs. 20,000 to 30,000 per month, if
you are hired in a reputed firm you
can expect to earn around Rs. 20,000
to 50,000 per month.
● At mid-level with an experience of
6-12 years, you can earn around
Rs. 50,000 to 80,000 per month, if
you are at the higher post by this
time you can expect to earn around
Rs. 65,000 to 1,00,000 per month.
● At the senior level, after gaining an
experience of 15-20 years you will
earn around Rs. 1,00,000 to 5,00,000
per month.
● However, it must be noted that after
becoming a famous designer you can
earn a lucrative amount in this
industry.
CONCLUSION
Jewellery today is considered an
inseparable part of modern fashion
statement revealing the taste and status
of an individual. In this context, different
personalities and different senses of style
have revolutionised the traditional gold
jewellery and modernised it to suit the
trends of the new era.
With the rise in incomes, the demand
for jewellery has increased by leaps and
bounds in India. Jewellery Designing has
bright possibilities as a career. It can be
pursued by anyone with an artistic bent of
mind and a passion for design. Jewellery
has become an accessory and a fashion
statement. It is no longer exclusively
limited to being a source of financial
security.
Gems and jewellery are globally
acknowledged as accessories that act like
exclamation points of the outfit, for
women in particular and men in general.
Jewellery has the power to Make You Feel
Unique. It is said that jewellery is an
outlet to express happiness. With such
underlying high-points of jewellery, its
high demand is set to continue for almost
all times to come and same is the case for
professionals who design them.
Jewellery has been an integral part of
Indian culture from ancient times, and
still continues to be so. This is one of
the main reasons that jewellery industry
in India is not only booming domestically
but also is one of the largest contributors
to the global jewellery & diamond
market as well as Indian economy. In
this backdrop, a career in this sector
promises to be very lucrative and
rewarding for youngsters having the
required aptitude, aesthetic sense and
creative excellence.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 33
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE
1. How many red cars are there?
1. 31 2. 22
3. 28 4. 33
2. If a mirror is placed on the line AB,
then out of the option figures which figure
will be the right image of the question
figure?
1. 2.
3. 4.
3. In the following question, four
number pairs are given. In each pair the
number on left side of (–) is related to the
number of the right side of (–) with some
Logic/Rule/Relation. Three pairs are
similar on basis of same Logic/Rule/
Relation. Select the odd one out from the
given alternatives. (NOTE: Operations
should be performed on the whole
numbers, without breaking down the
numbers into its constituent digits. E.g.13
– Operations on 13 such as adding /
subtracting /multiplying, etc. to 13 can be
performed. Breaking down 13 into 1 and
3 and then performing mathematical
operations on 1 and 3 is not allowed).
1. 3375 – 13500
2. 2125 – 8600
3. 2685 – 10740
4. 1595 – 6380
4. A series is given with one term
missing. Select the correct alternative
from the given ones that will complete
the series.
LOG, FLH, ZII, TFJ, NCK, ?
1. HYL
2. HZM
3. HZL
4. HAL
34 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
5. In the following question, select
the missing number from the given series.
129, 126, 123, 120, 117, ?
1. 113 2. 114
3. 112 4. 115
6. Words given on the left side of
(::) are related with each other by some
Logic/Rule /Relation. Select the missing
word/word pair on the right side of
(::) from the given alternatives based on
the same Logic/Rule/Relation.
Design : Architect :: ?
1. Editor : Newspaper
2. Book : Poem
3. Shoes : Poet
4. Furniture : Carpenter
7. If 96 C 3 = 32 and 288 C 8 = 36,
then 408 C 6 = ?
1. 62 2. 60 3. 68 4. 64
8. Arrange the given words in the
sequence in which they occur in the
dictionary.
1. Wage 2. Waist
3. Waste 4. West
5. Wave
1. 12354 2. 42135
3. 35241 4. 24351
9. Select the option figure in which
the given figure is embedded. (Rotation is
NOT allowed.)
1. 2.
3. 4.
10. In the following question, four
number pairs are given. In each pair
the number on left side of (–) is related
to the number on the right side of (–)
with some Logic/Rule /Relation. Three
pairs are similar on basis of same Logic/
Rule/Relation. Select the odd one out
from the given alternatives. (NOTE:
Operations should be performed on the
whole numbers, without breaking down
the numbers into its constituent digits.
E.g.13 – Operations on 13 such as
adding /subtracting /multiplying, etc. to
13 can be performed. Breaking down 13
into 1 and 3 and then performing
mathematical operations on 1 and 3 is
not allowed.)
1. 3333 – 6666
2. 4444 – 8888
3. 2222 – 4444
4. 5555 – 7777
11. In a certain code language,
‘TEFLOANS’ is coded as
‘2056121226138’, ‘SERGEANT’ is
coded as ‘1951872226137’. What is the
code for ‘UNIQUELY’ in that code
language?
1. 2114917622152
2. 2115917623152
3. 2124917623152
4. 2114917632142
12 In the following question below
are given some statements followed by
some conclusions based on those
statements. Taking the given statements
to be true even if they seem to be at
variance from commonly known facts.
Read all the conclusions and then decide
which of the given conclusion logically
follows the given statements.
Statements:
I. All Z are D.
II. No Y is Z.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 35
Conclusions :
I. Some D are not Y.
II. Some Z are not Y.
III. Some D are Z.
1. All conclusions follow
2. Both conclusions I and II follow
3. Only conclusion I follows
4. Both conclusions II and III follow
13. After interchanging the given two
signs, what will be the value of the given
equation?
× and ÷
47 + 13 ÷ 65 × 5 – 16
1. 195 2. 200 3. 205 4. 190
14. In the following question, select
the odd letter/letters from the given
alternatives.
1. LMNO
2. IJKL
3. ABCD
4. BDEF
15. Select the option that is related
to the third number in the same way as
the first number is related to the second
number and fifth number is related to
sixth number.
14 : 210 :: 13 : ? :: 16 : 272
1. 162 2. 182
3. 204 4. 174
16. How many quadrilaterals are there
in the given figure?
1. 22 2. 25
3. 24 4. 23
17. S is the sister of T. R is the
brother of S. U is the wife of W. T is
the father of U. How is T related to W?
1. Father-in-law
2. Son
3. Father
4. Maternal Uncle
18. Select the figure from the given
options that can replace the question
mark (?) in the following series.
1. 2.
3. 4.
19. Words given on the left side of
(::) are related with each other by some
Logic/Rule /Relation. Select the missing
word/word pair on the right side of (::)
from the given alternatives based on the
same Logic/Rule/Relation.
Tea : Cup :: ?
1. Paper : Pulp
2. Food : Plate
3. Milk : Drink
4. Glass : Water
20. Out of the given words, three are
similar in a certain manner. However,
one option is NOT like the other three.
Select the option which is different from
the rest.
1. Banana
2. Apple
3. Grape
4. Cauliflower
36 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
21. A piece of paper is folded
and punched as shown below in the
question figures. From the given answer
figures, indicate how it will appear when
opened?
1. 2.
3. 4.
22. In a certain code language, ‘GIRL’
is coded as ‘QWNL’. What is the code
for ‘KEPT’ in that code language?
1. YVJP
2. YUKR
3. YUJP
4. YUKP
23. Words given on the left side of
(::) are related with each other by some
Logic/Rule/Relation. Select the missing
word/word pair on the right side of (::)
from the given alternatives based on the
same Logic/Rule/Relation.
Pen : Author :: Axe : ?
1. Teacher
2. Woodcutter
3. Cobbler
4. Chef
24. Select the option in which the
numbers share the same relationship in
set as that shared by the numbers in the
given set. (NOTE: Operations should be
performed on the whole numbers,
without breaking down the numbers into
its constituent digits. E.g.13 – Operations
on 13 such as adding /subtracting /
multiplying, etc. to 13 can be performed.
Breaking down 13 into 1 and 3 and then
performing mathematical operations on
1 and 3 is not allowed.)
(79, 89, 101)(31, 41, 47)
1. (43, 47, 59) 2. (53, 61, 67)
3. (29, 37, 43) 4. (17, 19, 23)
25. If a mirror is placed on the line
AB, then out of the option figures which
figure will be the right image of the
question figure?
1. 2.
3. 4.
ANSWERS
1. (4) : 14 + 8 + 6 + 5 = 33
2. (4)
3. (2) : The second number is four
times the first number in
other cases.
4. (3) : The sequence is :
For the I letter of the
clusters : –6
For the II letter of the
clusters : –3
For the III letter of the
clusters : +1
5. (2) : The difference between
consecutive terms of the
series is – 3.
38 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
R
Brother
S
Sister
T
Brother
W
(Husband
of U)
U
(Daughter
of T)
6. (4)
7. (3) : C ÷
8. (1) 9. (2)
10. (4) : II number = 2 × (I number)
11. (1) : Change the first four letters
of the word by their position
number in the alphabet
(A = 1, B = 2 -----Z = 26).
Change the last four
letters by their position
number in the alphabet
in backward — Z = 1,
Y = 2 ------ A 26, B = 25.
U N I Q U E L Y
21 14 9 17 6 22 15 2
12. (1) :
13. (2) : 47 + 13 × 65 ÷ 5 – 16
= 47 + 13 × 13 – 16
= 47 + 169 – 16 = 200
14. (4) : Others are consecutive
letters of the alphabet.
15. (2) : II number = (I number) ×
(I number + 1)
IV number = (III number)
× (III number + 1)
= 13 × (13 + 1) = 182
16. (4) : A E B
C
G I
F
H S
K
M
O
Q R
N
P
D
J
L
Z Y OR Z Y
D D
The quadrilaterals formed
are :
AEFC, EFBD, ABCD,
AMBN, AOBP, ABQR,
CGHM, CISM, CDNM,
CDPO, CDRQ, CIJO,
GIHS, GDNH, MSJO,
MNPO, MNRQ, OKLQ,
OPRQ, KPLR, IDSN,
IDPJ, SNPJ
= 23 in number.
17. (1) :
18. (1) 19. (2)
20. (4) : Others are fruits.
(4) is a vegetable.
21. (1)
22. (3) : Write the letters of the word
in reverse order, and then
use the sequence +5.
Thus,
GIRL LRIG QWNL
Similarly
KEPT TPEK YUJP
23. (2)
24. (3) : There is one prime number
(83) between 79 and 89;
Similarly between 89 and 101,
there is one prime number
(97). Similarly between 29 and
37, one prime number is 31
and 41 is the prime number
between 37 and 43.
25. (3)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 39
ENGLISH
6. Her ideas have always been
eccentric.
(a) special (b) strange
(c) normal (d) local
7. The land appears to be parched.
(a) dry (b) desiccated
(c) wet (d) scorched
8. The newly made road was
smooth.
(a) rutted (b) dangerous
(c) winding (d) silken
9. Plenitude is one major cause
for environmental degradation.
(a) abundance (b) insufficiency
(c) ample (d) plethora
10. The scholar quoted irrefutable
evidence for her thesis.
(a) overwhelming (b) undeniable
(c) certain (d) questionable
SYNONYMS
Directions : Each item in this
section consists of a sentence with
an underlined word followed by
four words/group of words (a), (b),
(c) and (d). Select the option that
is nearest in meaning to the
underlined word and choose your
response accordingly.
ANTONYMS
Directions : Each item in this
section consists of a sentence with
an underlined word followed by
four words (a), (b), (c) and (d). Select
the option that is opposite in
meaning to the underlined word and
select your response accordingly.
1. Human craving for comfort
leads to anxiety.
(a) like (b) dislike
(c) discomfort (d) complacency
2. His writings on the subject are
obscure.
(a) murky (b) vague
(c) obvious (d) uncertain
3. The achievements of the team
have been monumental in the last ten
years.
(a) enormous (b) memorable
(c) striking (d) unimpressive
4. His frail appearance was
considered a merit.
(a) weak (b) delicate
(c) sturdy (d) big
5. The novel depicts the hapless
status of certain sections of society.
(a) wretched (b) miserable
(c) rural (d) fortunate
40 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
11. Ravi told his friend that he had
no intention to malign him.
(a) benign
(b) slander
(c) praise
(d) greet
12. Sheela appeared to be vexed.
(a) clear
(b) calm
(c) displeased
(d) uncomplicated
13. Do n ot hold any
preconception about people.
(a) notion
(b) experiment
(c) great idea
(d) conceit
14. All mortal elements are
impermanent.
(a) temporal
(b) immortal
(c) never-ending
(d) divinely
15. The itinerary of the group’s visit
to the hills was given to everyone.
(a) invitation
(b) information
(c) schedule
(d) names
16. The effort was to harness the
power of nature.
(a) abuse
(b) benefit
(c) apply
(d) control
17. The fickle nature of humans is at
times the cause of great innovations.
(a) vacillating
(b) consistent
(c) strong
(d) wily
18. The flood situation during the
monsoon this year was calamitous.
(a) abundance
(b) catastrophic
(c) encouraging
(d) welcome
19. He was appointe d as the
honorary member of the team.
(a) paid
(b) invited
(c) accepted
(d) unpaid
20. The church decided to
excommunicate him for his actions.
(a) admit
(b) reward
(c) expel
(d) promote
ORDERING OF WORDS
IN A SENTENCE
Directions : Each of the
following items in this section
consists of a sentence, the parts
of which have been jumbled. These
parts have been labelled P, Q, R
and S. Given below each sentence
are four sequences namely (a), (b),
(c) and (d). You are required to
rearrange the jumbled parts of the
sentence and choos e your
response accordingly.
21. to be successful (P)/ what it is
(Q)/ as a human being (R)/ have you
ever considered (S)
(a) SQPR (b) RQPS
(c) QRSP (d) PRSQ
22. there is in all instance a single
(P)/ surrender to the idea that (Q)/
authoritative truth to be discovered
and defended (R)/many people today
are willing to (S).
(a) RPSQ (b) SPRQ
(c) RPQS (d) SQPR
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 41
23. for yourself the implications of
death, (P)/ if you do not reflect and
understand (Q)/ from one preacher to
another (R)/you will go endlessly (S)
(a) SRPQ
(b) QPSR
(c) RSPQ
(d) QRSP
24. a way of understanding the world,
(P)/ a language represents (Q)/ and
relating them to one another (R)/
differentiating between things (S)
(a) PSRQ (b) SRPQ
(c) RSPQ (d) QPSR
25. for India's future (P)/
mathematics and mathematical thinking
(Q)/ will be very important (R)/ it is
recognised that (S)
(a) QRPS
(b) RPSQ
(c) QRSP
(d) SQRP
26. in agriculture and veterinary
sciences through (P)/ will be enhanced
sharply (Q)/ programmes integrated
with general education (R)/ the
preparation of professionals (S)
(a) SRPQ
(b) RQPS
(c) SPRQ
(d) PQRS
27. and should shift the way (P)/are
certainly very important, (Q)/ we think
about politics (R)/ the issues raised by
feminists and multiculturalists (S)
(a) RPQS (b) RSPQ
(c) SPQR (d) SQPR
28. by which the genetic material of
a plant is altered, (P)/pests and enhance
its nutritional value (Q)/perhaps to make
it more resistant to (R)/genetic
modification (GM) is the science (S)
(a) QRPS (b) SPRQ
(c) RSPQ (d) RPQS
29. a much wider array of
perspectives (P)/ the editors of the
present work (Q)/ the history of social
reforms from (R)/argue the need to
understand (S)
(a) QSRP
(b) QPRS
(c) RSQP
(d) SQRP
30. for which she fought till the end
(P)/ as a champion of women’s rights,
(S)/ Pandita Ramabai was truly
remarkable (R)/ as a pioneer in women's
education and (S)
(a) SRQP
(b) QPRS
(c) RSQP
(d) PQRS
SPOTTING ERRORS
Directions : Each item in this
section has a sentence with three
parts labelled (a), (b) and (c). Read
each sentence to find out whether
there is any error in any part. Mark
your response against the
corresponding letter, i.e., (a) or (b)
or (c). If you find no error, your
response should be marked as (d).
31. Our greatest glory is (a)/ not in
never falling but in (b)/ raising every
time we fall. (c)/ No error (d)
32. Rahim was one of that (a)/
selected for (b)/ the award. (c)/
No error (d)
33. Sujini has met her old friend (a)/
Guru before she shifted (b)/
to Hyderabad two years ago. (c)/
No error (d)
34. This monument happens (a)/ to
be one of the old monument (b)/ in
the city. (c)/ No error (d)
35. Amit told to Divya (a)/that he
would come (b)/with a reward for her.
(c)/ No error (d)
42 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
36. If you have asked me (a)/ for the
truth I would have told (b)/ you at that
time. (c)/ No error (d)
37. If I will be the millionaire (a)/ I
would eradicate (b)/ poverty from the
country. (c)/ No error (d)
38. A bird in hand (a)/ is better than
(b)/ two in the bush. (c)/ No error (d)
39. The opportunity to attain
foundational literacy (a)/ and pursue a
honest livelihood (b)/ must be viewed
as basic right of every citizen. (c)/ No
error (d)
40. Though there is progress (a)/ for
different directions, (b)/ why is there
no brotherhood? (c)/ No error (d)
IDIOMS AND PHRASES
Directions : Given below are some
idioms/phrases followed by four
alternative meanings for each. Choose
the most appropriate answer from
among the options (a), (b), (c) and (d).
41. A queer fish
(a) A strange person
(b) A good person
(c) An unlucky person
(d) A lucky person
42. Eat like a bird
(a) Eat very quickly
(b) Eat a lot
(c) Eat continuously
(d) Eat very little
43. Lock horns
(a) Be like a bull
(b) Argue about something
(c) Agree with someone
(d) Think about the horns
44. Early bird
(a) Low flying (b) Latest
(c) Ancient avian (d) First arrival
45. Be in the pink
(a) To be very healthy
(b) To be very colourful
(c) To be very sad
(d) To be very rich
46. Be in the running
(a) In a very bad state to speak
(b) In a powerful position
(c) In a good position to win
(d) In a losing position
47. A sea change
(a) Change in the sea tides
(b) A complete change
(c) Change like sea
(d) Changed sea with pollution
48. A pearl of wisdom
(a) An important event in one's life
(b) An important person of wisdom
(c) An important piece of advice
(d) An important thing in one's life
49. Be in seventh heaven
(a) To be extremely sorry
(b) To be extremely wise
(c) To be extremely sad
(d) To be extremely happy
50. Be in the red
(a) To owe money to a bank
(b) To get money from one's family
(c) To be in danger of being caught
(d) To be in favour of needy people
ANSWERS
1. (b) 2. (c) 3. (d) 4. (c)
5. (d) 6. (c) 7. (c) 8. (a)
9. (b) 10. (d) 11. (a) 12. (c)
13. (a) 14. (a) 15. (c) 16. (d)
17. (a) 18. (b) 19. (d) 20. (c)
21. (a) 22. (d) 23. (b) 24. (d)
25. (d) 26. (c) 27. (d) 28. (b)
29. (a) 30. (c) 31. (c) 32. (a)
33. (a) 34. (b) 35. (a) 36. (a)
37. (a) 38. (a) 39. (b) 40. (b)
41. (a) 42. (d) 43. (b) 44. (d)
45. (a) 46. (c) 47. (b) 48. (c)
49. (d) 50. (a)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 43
1. What was Lala Lajpat Rai demonstrating against when he succumbed to
police brutality ?
(A)Rowlatt Act
(B) Minto-Morley Reforms
(C) Pitt’s India Act
(D)Simon Commission
2. Name the religious movement
started by Emperor Akbar in the late
16th century.
(A)Din-i-Ilahi (B) Jizya
(C) Jauhar (D) Kharaj
3. What is the hemispherical funerary
mound connected with Buddhism known
as ?
(A)Stupa (B) Torana
(C) Vihara (D) Dukhang
4. Which Strait separates India from
Sri Lanka ?
(A)Mandeb (B) Magellan
(C) Malacca (D) Palk
5. Which city was known as the
‘Manchester of India’ ?
(A)Mumbai (B) Surat
(C) Ahmedabad (D) Ludhiana
6. Where is the famous Shore Temple
located ?
(A)Puri
(B) Visakhapatnam
(C) Mamallapuram
(D)Chennai
7. Which Indian State is associated
with the Baul Singers ?
(A)Goa (B) Kashmir
(C) West Bengal (D)Meghalaya
8. Who founded the Praja Socialist
Party ?
(A)Jayaprakash Narayan
(B) Acharya Vinoba Bhave
(C) M. N. Roy
(D)None of these
9. Who founded the Servants of India
Society ?
(A)Chittaranjan Das
(B) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(C) Lala Har Dayal
(D)Gopal Krishna Gokhale
10. What is a Mridangam ?
(A)A two-headed drum
(B) A type of flute
(C) A string instrument
(D)A deer
11. Which of the following is a classical
dance form of Andhra Pradesh ?
(A)Kathakali (B) Bharatanatyam
(C) Odishi (D)Kuchipudi
12. Who is commonly referred to as
the ‘Father of Modern Hindi Literature’ ?
(A)Prem Chand
(B) Harish Chandra
(C) R. K. Narayan
(D)Harivansh Rai Bachchan
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE
44 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
13. Who directed the Bengali film
Bhuvan Shome ?
(A)Satyajit Ray
(B) Shyam Benegal
(C) Govind Nihalani
(D)Mrinal Sen
14. Which of the following vitamins
is water soluble ?
(A)Vitamin-A (B) Vitamin-E
(C) Vitamin-C (D)Vitamin-D
15. What is the name of the Swedish
chemist, engineer and industrialist who
invented dynamite ?
(A)Alfred Bernhard Nobel
(B) Emanuel Swedenborg
(C) Charles De Geer
(D)Olaus Rudbeck
16. Against which disease is the B.C.G.
vaccine given ?
(A)Polio (B) Tuberculosis
(C) Hepatitis-A (D)Measles
17. Who among the following originated
the concept of logarithms as a
mathematical device to aid in calculations?
(A)Joost Burgi (B) John Napier
(C) Tai Chen (D)Archimedes
18. Who discovered radioactivity ?
(A)Antoine Henri Becquerel
(B) Satyendra Nath Bose
(C) Jons Jacob Berzelius
(D)Albert Einstein
19. The term “Cue” is associated with
which game ?
(A)Hockey (B) Football
(C) Billiards (D)Cricket
20. By what name was the Maharaja
Jam Sahib of Nawanagar famous in
Cricket ?
(A)Ranjitsinhji Vibhaji
(B) Nawab Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi
(C) Sunil Gavaskar
(D)Lala Amarnath
21. When were the modern Olympic
Games first held ?
(A)1876 (B) 1887
(C) 1895 (D)1896
22. The capital of Pakistan till 1959 was
(A) Islamabad (B) Karachi
(C) Lahore (D) Hyderabad
23. Who is the architect of the city
of Chandigarh ?
(A)Edwin Lutyens
(B) Redcliffe Brown
(C) Laurie Baker
(D)Le Corbusier
24. Which Indian social activist is
renowned for his work among leprosy
patients ?
(A)Vinoba Bhave
(B) Baba Amte
(C) Dhondo Keshav Karve
(D)Ram Manohar Lohia
25. Who founded Shantiniketan ?
(A)Debendranath Tagore
(B) Rabindranath Tagore
(C) Raja Rammohun Roy
(D)Manabendra Nath Roy
ANSWERS
1. (D) 2. (A) 3. (A) 4. (D)
5. (D) 6. (C) 7. (C)
8. (D) : Praja Socialist Party was
formed when Socialist Party
and the Kisan Mazdoor Party
founded by Acharya
J. B. Kripalani merged.
9. (D) 10. (A) 11. (D) 12. (B)
13. (D)
14. (C) : A & D are fat soluble; C & B
are water soluble.
15. (A) 16. (B) 17. (B)
18. (A) : 1898
19. (C) 20. (A) 21. (D) 22. (B)
23. (D) 24. (B) 25. (B)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 45
26. Pointing to a photograph of a girl,
Rohit said, “She has no sisters or
daughters but her mother is the only
daughter of my mother”. How is the
girl in the photograph related to Rohit ?
(A)Daughter (B) Sister
(C) Niece (D) Daughter-in-law
27. ‘Treatment’ is related to ‘Doctor’
in the same way as ‘Sport’ is related to
(A)Coach (B) Game
(C) Playground (D) Player
28. ‘Court’ is related to ‘Justice’ in
the same way as ‘School’ is related to
(A)Teacher (B) Education
(C) Student (D) Class
29. Which of the following should
come in place of the question mark (?)
in the following letter series ?
LXF MTJ NPN OLR ?
(A)PHV (B) PPV
(C) PIU (D)None of these
30. Which letter will be the sixth to the
left of the nineteenth letter from the right
end of the following alphabet ?
A B C D E F G H I J K L M
N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
(A)N (B) M
(C) Y (D)None of these
31. Guddu ranked sixteenth from the
top and twenty-ninth from the bottom
among those who passed an examination.
Six boys did not participate in the
examination and five failed. How many
boys were there in that class ?
(A)50 (B) 55
(C) 56 (D)None of these
32. Starting from a point ‘S’, Mahesh
walked 25 metres towards south. He
turned to his left and walked 50 metres.
He then again turned to his left and walked
25 metres. He again turned to his left and
walked 60 metres and reached a point ‘T’.
How far is Mahesh from the point ‘S’ and
in which direction ?
(A)10 metres west
(B) 25 metres north
(C) 10 metres east
(D)25 metres west
33. In a code language, A is written as
B, B is written as C, C is written as D,
and so on. Then how will SMART be
written in that code language ?
(A)TLBSU (B) SHBSU
(C) TNBSU (D)SNBRU
34. From the word INACTIVE,
how many independent words can be
made without changing the order of
the letters and using each letter only once?
(A)One (B) Two
(C) Three (D)None of these
35. In a certain code, COMPUTER
is written as RFUVQNPC. How is
MEDICINE written in the same code ?
(A)MFEDJJOE (B) EOJDEJFM
(C) MFEJDJOE (D)EOJDJEFM
Directions (Qs. 36 to 38) : Read
the following information to answer
these questions :
Five girls are standing in a circle facing
the centre. Suman is between Lata and
Asha. Mamta is to the right of Lata.
36. If Suman and Mamta interchange
their positions, then who will be the
fourth to the left of Rajani ?
(A)Lata (B) Suman
(C) Asha (D)Mamta
37. If Rajani and Asha interchange
their positions, then which of the following
statements will be the correct one ?
(A)Asha would be between Lata and
Rajani
(B) Asha would be second to the left
of Lata.
MENTAL ABILITY
46 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
(C) Mamta would be between Suman
and Rajani
(D)None of these
38. Who is to the left of Asha if
Rajani is the fifth girl ?
(A)Asha (B) Lata
(C) Suman (D)Rajani
39. If the first and second digits in
the sequence 5 9 8 1 3 2 7 4 3 8 are
interchanged, also the third and fourth
digits, the fifth and sixth digits and so
on, then which digit would be the
seventh counting from the right ?
(A)4 (B) 8
(C) 7 (D)1
Directions (Qs. 40 to 44) : Read the
following information to answer these
questions. Following are the criteria for
offering admission to a Postgraduate
Management Programme :
The student must—
(i) be a graduate with at least 50%
marks.
(ii) have secured at least 45% marks
in the Entrance Test.
(iii)not be less than 20 years and not
more than 26 years as on June 30,
1996.
(iv)be able to bear annual expenditure of Rs. 60,000 for two years.
However, if a student fulfills all
other criteria except (iii) above but has
work experience of at least five years, his/
her case is to be referred to the Director.
Based on the above criteria and the
information given in each of the
Questions 40 - 44, you have to take the
decision with regard to each case. You
are not to assume anything.
Mark your answer as :
(A)If admission is to be granted.
(B) If the case is to be referred to the
Director.
(C) If the data given are not sufficient
to take the decision.
(D)If admission is not to be granted.
40. Rajiv Malhotra is a postgraduate
with 65% marks and has scored 62%
marks in graduation. He can bear the
stipulated financial expenses and was
born on July 1, 1975.
41. Usha Gupta has secured 65% and
55% marks respectively in graduation
and in the Entrance Test. She was born
on February 15, 1972. She can bear the
stipulated financial expenses.
42. Meena Bhargava has secured 70%
marks in graduation. She can pay up to
Rs. 50,000 per annum. She was born on
September 5, 1973.
43. Mahesh Srivastava was 18 years
old as on July 3, 1994. He has secured
75% and 55% marks respectively in
graduation and in the Entrance Test. He
can bear the stipulated expenses.
44. Umesh Salgaonkar was born on
January 25, 1962. He has been working
in an organisation for the last six years.
He has secured 70% and 60% marks
respectively in graduation and Entrance
Test. He can bear the stipulated expenses.
45. Prakash started working from a
point P towards the south. After walking
40 metres, he took a left turn. He then
walked 30 metres and reached a point
Q. What is the straight line distance
between P and Q and Q is towards
which direction of P ?
(A)60 metres, south-east
(B) 50 metres, south-west
(C) 50 metres, south-east
(D)None of these
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 47
Directions (Qs. 46 to 50) : Read
the following information carefully
to answer these questions :
(I) P, Q, R, S, T and U are six members
of a family. Each of them is
engaged in a different profession :
Doctor, Lawyer, Teacher,
Engineer, Nurse, Manager
(II) Each of them remains at home
on a different day of the week
from Monday to Saturday.
(III) The lawyer remains at home on
Thursday.
(IV) R remains at home on Tuesday.
(V) P, the doctor, does not remain at
home either on Saturday or on
Wednesday.
(VI) S is neither a doctor nor a teacher
and remains at home on Friday.
(VII) Q is engineer and T is the
manager.
46. Which of the following
combinations is not correct ?
(A)R - Teacher
(B) Q - Engineer
(C) S - Nurse
(D)All of these are correct
47. Which of the following
combinations is correct ?
(A)Nurse - Friday
(B) Teacher - Wednesday
(C) Manager - Friday
(D)Engineer - Thursday
48. Who among the following remains
at home following the nurse’s day ?
(A)Q (B) Q or T
(C) S (D)None of these
49. Who remains at home on
Saturday ?
(A)S (B) T
(C) Q or T (D)None of these
50. Who is the nurse ?
(A)S (B) R
(C) U (D)None of these
ANSWERS
26. (C) 27. (A) 28. (B)
29. (A) : 1st letter moves +1 step.
2nd letter moves – 4 steps.
3rd letter moves + 4 steps.
30. (D) : B 31. (B)
32. (A) :
33. (C) : Each letter moves +1 step.
34. (D) : IN, ACT, ACTIVE, INACT
35. (D) : 1st and the last letters remain
unchanged after writing the
alphabets used in the given
word in reverse order.
Remaining letters move +1
step.
36. (C) :
37. (D) 38. (D) 39. (B)
40. (C) : Marks of the Entrance Test
are not known.
41. (A)
42. (D) : Marks of the Entrance Test
are not known. Also, (iv) is
not satisfied.
T
S
25 25
50
50
10
Suman Asha
Lata
Mamta
Rajani
48 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
50
30
40
Q
P
GENERAL ENGLISH
43. (D) : He will be 20 years old on
July 3, 1996.
44. (B) : He is more than 26 years old.
45. (C) :
46. (D): Q is Engineer, is given (VII)
47. (A) 48. (B) 49. (C) 50. (A)
Directions (Qs. 51 to 55) : In these
questions, select the preposition for
each blank space that would most
appropriately complete the meaning
of the sentence :
51. Jealousy was his motive
__________ attacking me.
(A)Of (B) For (C) In (D) At
52. A true patriot is always loyal
____________ his country.
(A)For (B) To (C) About (D) On
53. I have some acquaintance
_______ French.
(A)At (B) For (C) To (D) With
54. I have great fondness __________
poetry.
(A)For (B) Of
(C) About (D)In
55. He broke ____ the window pane.
(A)Of (B) Off
(C) With (D)At
Directions (Qs. 56 to 60) : Select
the word which is closest in meaning
to the underlined word :
56. The inspector was a vigilant young
man.
(A)Intelligent (B) Ambitious
(C) Watchful (D)Smart
57. The time I spent in the library
was a most rewarding one.
(A)Profitable (B) Paying
(C) Serviceable (D)Precious
58. The notice said that meeting would
begin precisely at 9.30 a.m.
(A)Approximately (B) Exactly
(C) Accurately (D)Concisely
59. The courage shown by the
soldiers at this moment of crisis is
exemplary.
(A)Suitable
(B) Clear
(C) Elementary
(D)Admirable
60. The young man is quite sanguine
about the result of his competitive
examination.
(A)Depressed
(B) Pessimistic
(C) Anxious
(D)Optimistic
ANSWERS
51. (B) 52. (B) 53. (D) 54. (A)
55. (B) 56. (C) 57. (A) 58. (C)
59. (D) 60. (D)
50 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
MATHEMATICS
61. A contractor undertook to build a
road in 100 days. He employed
110 men. After 45 days, he found that
only
1
4
th of the road could be built.
In order to complete the work in
time, how many more men should be
employed ?
(A)120 (B) 160
(C) 180 (D)270
62. Walking at
6
th
7
of his usual
speed, a man is 12 minutes too late. The
usual time taken by him to cover that
distance is
(A)1 hour
(B) 1 hour 12 min.
(C) 1 hour 15 min.
(D)1 hour 20 min.
63. A and B can do a work in 8 days.
B and C can do the same work in 12
days. A, B and C together can finish it
in 6 days. A and C together will do it in
(A)4 days (B) 6 days
(C) 8 days (D)12 days
64. If the compound interest on a
certain sum for 2 years at 10% per annum
is Rs. 2100, then the simple interest
on the same sum at the same rate for
2 years will be
(A)Rs. 1700
(B) Rs. 1800
(C) Rs. 1900
(D)Rs. 2000
65. The perimeters of circular and square
fields are equal. Find the area in sq. m.
of the circular field if the area of the square
field is 484 sq. m.
(A)888
(B) 770
(C) 616
(D)None of these
66. A person travels equal distances with
speeds of 3 km/hr, 4 km/hr and 5 km/hr
and takes a total time of 47 minutes. The
total distance (in km) covered is
(A)2 (B) 3
(C) 4 (D)5
67. Two trains are running at
40 km/hr and 20 km/hr respectively in
the same direction. Fast train completely
passes a man sitting in the slow train
in 5 seconds. What is the length of the
fast train ?
(A)
2
23 m
9
(B) 27 m
(C)
7
27 m
9
(D)23 m
68. An amount of Rs. 1,00,000 is
invested in two types of shares. The first
yields an interest of 9% per annum and
the second 11% per annum. If the total
interest at the end of one year is 3
9 %
4
,
then the amount invested in each share
was
(A)Rs. 72500, Rs. 27500
(B) Rs. 62500, Rs. 37500
(C) Rs. 52500, Rs. 47500
(D)Rs. 82500, Rs. 17500
69. If a man reduces the selling price
of a fan from Rs. 400 to Rs. 380, his
loss increases by 2%. The cost price of
the fan is
(A)Rs. 600
(B) Rs. 500
(C) Rs. 480
(D)None of these
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 51
70. Rs. 56250 are to be divided among
A, B and C so that A may receive half
as much as B and C together, and B
receives one-fourth of what A and C
together receive. The share of A is more
than that of B by
(A)Rs. 7500
(B) Rs. 7750
(C) Rs. 15000
(D)Rs. 16000
71. A and B have incomes in the ratio
5 : 3. The expenses of A, B and C are
in the ratio of 8 : 5 : 2. If C spends
Rs. 2000 and B saves Rs. 700, then A’s
savings are
(A)Rs. 1500 (B) Rs. 1000
(C) Rs. 2500 (D)Rs. 500
72. A salesman’s commission is 5%
on all sales upto Rs. 10000 and 4%
on all sales exceeding this. He remits
Rs. 31100 to his parent company after
deducting his commission. His sales was
worth
(A)Rs. 35000
(B) Rs. 36100
(C) Rs. 35100
(D)Rs. 32500
73. In an examination, 35% of the
examinees failed in G.K. and 25% in
English. If 10% of the examinees failed
in both, then the percentage of the
examinees passed will be
(A)40% (B) 45%
(C) 48% (D)50%
74. A shopkeeper bought locks @ 8
locks for Rs. 34 and sold them @ 12
locks for Rs. 57. The number of locks
that he should sell, to have a profit of
Rs. 900, must be
(A)1400 (B) 1600
(C) 1800 (D)2000
75. A person gave Rs. 2500 to his
eldest son,
5
12
of the whole property to
the second son and to the youngest as
much as to the first and the second sons
together. How much did the youngest
son get ?
(A)Rs. 10000
(B) Rs. 15000
(C) Rs. 20000
(D)Rs. 25000
76. A garrison had provisions for a
certain number of days. After 10 days,
1
th
5
of the men desert and it is found
that the provision will now last just as
long as before. For how many days, the
garrison had the provision initially?
(A)15 days (B) 25 days
(C) 35 days (D)50 days
77. If
x 3
,
2y 2
then the value of
2x y
x 2y
is
(A)
1
7
(B) 7
(C) 7.1 (D) 6.8
78. The population of a town
increases by 5% annually. If its
population in 2004 was 138915, then
what it was in 2001 ?
(A)110000 (B) 100000
(C) 120000 (D)90000
79.
3 2 4 3 6
?
6 3 6 2 8 12
(A)1 (B) 3
(C) 3 2 (D) 3 2
52 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
80. A mixture of 20 kg of spirit and
water contains 10% water. How much
water must be added to this mixture to
raise the percentage of water to 25% ?
(A)4 kg (B) 5 kg
(C) 8 kg (D)30 kg
81. The size of a wooden block is
15 12 20 cm. How many such blocks
will be required to construct a solid
wooden cube of minimum size ?
(A)45 (B) 48
(C) 60 (D)75
82. A man can row three-quarters of
a kilometre against the stream in
1
11
4
minutes and returns in
1
7
2
minutes.
The speed of the man in still waters is
(A)2 km/hr (B) 3 km/hr
(C) 4 km/hr (D)5 km/hr
83. Two pipes A and B fill a tank in
15 hours and 20 hours respectively, while
a third pipe C can empty it in 25 hours.
All the three pipes are opened in the
beginning. After 10 hours, C is closed.
In how much time, will the tank be full ?
(A)12 hrs
(B) 13 hrs
(C) 16 hrs
(D)18 hrs
84. It costs Rs. x each to make the
first thousand copies of a compact disk
and Rs. y to make each subsequent copy.
If z is greater that 1000, then how much
will it cost to make z copies of the
compact disk ?
(A)1000x + yz
(B) zx – zy
(C) 1000(x – y) + yz
(D)1000(z – y) + xz
85. A car goes 15 km on a litre of
petrol when it is driven at 50 km/hr.
When the car is driven at 60 km/hr, it
only goes 80% as far. How much petrol
will it take to travel 120 km driving at
60 km/hr ?
(A)2 (B) 6.4
(C) 10 (D) 9.6
86. How many two-digit numbers
satisfy this property : The last digit (unit’s
digit) of the square of the two-digit
number is 8 ?
(A)1 (B) 2
(C) 3 (D) None
87. Rahul purchased stock for Rs. 1,500
and sold
2
3
of it after its value doubled.
He sold the remaining stock at 5 times
its purchase price. What was his total
profit on the stock ?
(A)Rs. 1,500 (B) Rs. 2,000
(C) Rs. 2,500 (D)Rs. 3,000
88. If
5 2 3 a b 3,
7 4 3
then
(A)a = 11, b = – 6
(B) a = 6, b = 11
(C) a = –11, b = 6
(D)a = –11, b = – 6
89. A watch which gains uniformly
is 2 minutes slow at noon on Monday
and is 4 minutes 48 seconds fast at
2 pm on the following Monday. When
did it show the correct time ?
(A)2 pm on Tuesday
(B) 2 pm on Wednesday
(C) 3 pm on Thursday
(D)1 pm on Friday
90. The nearest integer to 58701 which
is exactly divisible by 567 is
(A)58968 (B) 55968
(C) 58068 (D)None of these
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 53
ANSWERS
61. (B) : 110 men complete
1
4
of the
work in 45 days.
Whole work will be done in
45 days by 440 men.
3
4
of the work will be done
in 45 days by 330 men.
3
4
of the work will be done
in 100 – 45 = 55 days by
330 45 270
55
men.
160 more men should be
employed in order to finish
the work in time.
62. (B) : For
1
th
7
of the usual speed,
the man is 12 minutes late.
For
6
th
7
of the usual speed,
the man is 72 minutes late,
i.e. 1 hour 12 minutes.
63. (C)
64. (D) :
2
10 C. I. P 1 P 2100
100
21
P 2100
100
2100 100 P 10000
21
S.I. on Rs. 10000
10000 10 2 2000
100
65. (C) : Area of the square field
= 484 sq.m.
Side of the square field = 22 m.
Perimeter of the square
field = 88 sq. m.
Perimeter of the circular
field = 88 sq. m.
2r = 88
22
2 r 88
7
[ r is the radius]
r = 14
Area of the circular field
2 22
r 14 14
7
= 616 sq.m.
66. (B) : Suppose the distance travelled
is x km, each time.
x x x 47
3 4 5 60
20x 15x 12x 47
60 60
x = 1
Total distance = 3 km.
67. (C)
68. (B) : Suppose the amount
invested in the first type of
shares = Rs. x
Amount invested in the
second type of shares
= Rs (100000 – x)
9x 11(100000 x)
100 100
39 100000
4 100
x
9750 11000
50
x = 50 1250 = 62500
69. (D)
70. (A)
71. (A) : Suppose the incomes of
A and B be 5k & 3k,
respectively.
Suppose the expenses of A,
B and C be 8E, 5E and 2E,
respectively.
2E = 2000 E = 1000.
3K – 5E = 700 K = 1900
A’s savings
= 5K – 8E = 9500 – 8000
= 1500
54 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
72. (D) : Suppose his total sales was
Rs. x
x – [5% of 10000 + 4% of
(x – 10000)] = 31100
x 10000
x 500 31100
25
500 400 31100
25
x
x
24x = 25 31200
x = 32500
73. (D) :
74. (C) : C.P. of 8 locks = Rs. 34
C.P. of 12 locks = Rs. 51
S.P. of 12 locks = Rs. 57
Profit on 12 locks = Rs 6
Rs. 900 will be the profit on
12
900 Rs.1800
6
1800 locks
75. (B)
76. (D)
77. (B) :
x 3 x 3
2y 2 y
x
2 1
2 x y y 7
7
x 2 y 1 x
2
y
78. (C) : Suppose the population was
P in 2001.
3
5
P 1 138915
100
138915 20 20 20 P
21 21 21
= 120000
79. (B)
80. (A) : In 20 kg of mixture of spirit
and water, quantity of water =
2kg.
Spirit = 18 kg, water = 2kg
If 75% of the mixture
contains 18 kg spirit, then
25% of the mixture will
contain 6 kg of water.
4 kg of water must be
added.
81. (C) : L.C.M. of 12, 15 and 20 is
60.
No. of blocks of minimum
size that can be constructed
12 15 20 60
60
82. (D)
83. (A)
84. (C) : 1000x + (z – 1000) y
= 1000(x – y) + yz
85. (C) : It will take 1 litre of petrol
to travel 15 km @ 50 km/hr.
It will take 1 litre of petrol
to travel 12 km @ 60 km/hr.
It will take 10 litres of petrol to
travel 120 km @ 60 km/hr.
86. (D)
87. (D)
88. (A) :
5 2 3 a b 3
7 4 3
5 2 3 7 4 3
a b 3
49 48
35 20 3 14 3 24
11 6 3
a = 11, b = – 6
89. (B) : It gains (2 min + 4 min 48
seconds = 6 min 48
seconds =) 408 seconds in
(7 24 + 2 =) 170 hours.
Thus, the clock gains
408
2.4
170
sec/hour
It will gain (2 min =)
120 seconds in
120
2.4 hours,
i.e. 50 hours.
i.e. It will show the correct time
at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
90. (A)
50
GK
25 10
English
15
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 61
Source: The World Almanac and Book of Facts 2023 (Population, Literacy Rate, GDP & Per Capita GDP)
AFGHANISTAN
Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Location : A landlocked country,
Afghanistan is located in Central Asia. Pakistan is
to its east and south, Iran and Turkmenistan to
its west, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan to its north.
The country has a small border with China to the
north-east.
Area : 652,230 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 38,346,720.
Capital : Kabul.
Largest cities : Kabul, Kandahar, Herat,
Mazar-i-Sharif, Qonduz, Charikar, Jalalabad.
Principal rivers : Helmand, Amu Darya
(Oxus).
Highest point : Noshaq, 7499 m (24,581 ft).
Flag : Black, white and green, inscribed ‘God
is Great’ and ‘There is no other God but Allah
and Mohamed is his Prophet’.
Monetary unit : Afghani.
Languages : Pashto, Dari Persian, other Turkic
and minor languages.
Religion : Sunni Muslim 84.7%-89.7%; Shia
Muslim 10%-15%.
Literacy rate : 37.3%.
Type of Government : Islamic republic.
National name : Jamhouri Afghanistan.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $80.9 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$2,078. Arable land : 11.9%; labour force in
agriculture : 78.6%; Principal products : Opium,
wheat, cotton, fruits, wool, nuts. Labour force in
industry: 5.7%; major products: soap, furniture,
shoes, carpets, textiles, cement, coal. Natural
resources: natural gas, oil, coal, copper, sulphur,
lead, zinc, iron, salt, precious and semi-precious
stones. Exports : fresh and dried fruits, raw
cotton, natural gas, carpets. Imports : Petroleum
products, machinery and other capital goods, yarns
and textiles, and food supplies. Major trading
partners : Eastern European and CIS countries,
Japan and China, Pakistan, Iran, Germany, etc.
Afghanistan is world’s largest produce of opium,
which is a key source of revenue for the Taliban
inside the country.
ALBANIA
Republic of Albania
Location : South-east Europe, Albania has a
coastline on the Adriatic Sea. Yugoslavia is to the
north and east and Greece to the south.
Area : 28,748 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 3,095,344.
Capital : Tirana.
Largest cities : Tirana, Durres, Elbasan,
Shkoder, Vlore and Korce.
Principal rivers : Semani, Drini.
Highest point : Mount Korab, 2,751 m
(9,025 ft.).
Flag : Red with a black double-headed eagle
in the centre.
Monetary unit : Lek.
Language : Albanian, Greek.
Religion : Muslim 56.7%; Albanian Orthodox
6.8%; Roman Catholic 10%; Baktashi 2.1%;
Others 21.9%
Literacy rate : 98.1%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
National name : Republika e Shqiperise.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $44.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $15,646. Arable land: 21.63%; Principal
farm products: wheat, corn, potatoes, sugar beets,
cotton, tobacco. Labour force : agriculture 41.8%,
industry 11.4%; major products: textiles timber,
construction materials, fuels, semi-processed
minerals. Exports : minerals, metals, plant and
SPECIAL BOOKLET
WORLD
FACTBOOK
2023
62 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
animal products, electricity, fuels, foodstuffs,
agricultural materials. Imports : machinery,
equipment and spare parts, chemical products,
construction materials, foodstuffs, wheat. Major
trading partners : Greece, Poland, Hungary,
Romania, Germany, Italy, India.
ALGERIA
People’s Democratic Republic of
Algeria
Location : Located in north-west Africa,
Algeria has border in the north with the
Mediterranean Sea. Tunisia and Libya are located
to its east, Morocco and Western Sahara to its
west, and Mauritania, Mali and Niger to its south.
Area : 2,381,741 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 44,178,884.
Capital : Algiers.
Largest cities: Algiers, Oran, Constantine,
Annaba, Batna, Setif.
Principal river : Cheliff.
Highest point : Mount Tahat, 2,918 m
(9,573 ft).
Flag : Vertically green and white, with a red
crescent and star over all in the centre.
Monetary unit : Dinar.
Languages : Arabic (official), French, Berber
dialects.
Religion : Sunni Muslim (official) 99%,
Christian & Jewish 1%.
Literacy rate : 81.4%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republiqe Algerienne
Democratique et Populaire—El Djemhouria El
Djazairia Demokratia Echaabia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $537.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $12,037. Arable land : 3.15%; Principal
products: wheat, barley, oats, wine, citrus fruits,
olives, vegetables, livestock. Labour force in
industry: 13.4%; Major products : petrochemicals,
fertilisers, iron and steel, textiles, transport
equipment. Natural resources : petroleum, natural
gas, iron ore, phosphates, lead, zinc, mercury.
Exports : petroleum and gas, condensates, refined
products. Imports : food, capital and consumer
goods. Major trading partners : U.S., Germany,
France, Spain, Italy, Romania, Canada, Brazil.
ANDORRA
Principality of Andorra
Location : South-west Europe. Andorra is a
landlocked country and is located in the
eastern Pyrenees, between France and Spain.
Area : 468 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 85,560.
Capital : Andorra la Vella.
Principal river : Valira
Highest point: Pla del’ Estany 3,011 m
(9,678 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of blue, yellow
and red, with the arms of Andorra in the centre.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Catalan (official), French,
Spanish.
Religion : Roman Catholic.
Literacy rate : 100%
Type of Government : Parliamentary CoPrincipality.
National name : Les Vallees d’ Andorre—
Valls d’ Andorra.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2015) : $3.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $49,900. Arable land: 5.32%; Labour force
in industry : 4.7%; Principal products : oats, barley,
cattle, sheep. Major products : tobacco products
and electric power; tourism. Natural resources :
water power, mineral water. Major trading
partners : Spain and France. A free economic
zone, member of EEC.
ANGOLA
Republic of Angola
Location : West-south Africa. Angola is located
on the west coast of Africa. South-West Africa is
to its south, Zambia to its east and Democratic
Republic of Congo and Congo to its north.
Cabinda, an enclave in the north, is separated
from the rest of Angola by a Democratic Republic
of Congo corridor to the sea, which includes the
Democratic Republic of Congo estuary.
Area : 1,246,700 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 34,795,287.
Capital : Luanda
Largest cities : Luanda, Huambo, Benguela,
Lobito, Lubango.
Principal rivers : Cunene, Cuanza, Congo,
Cuando.
Highest point : Serra Moco, 2,610 m (8,563 ft)
Flag : Horizontally red over black, with a star
and an arc of cogwheel crossed by a machete, all
yellow over all in the centre.
Monetary unit: Kwanza.
Languages : Portuguese (official), Bantu.
Religion : Roman Catholic 41.1%, Protestants
38.1%, None 12.3%
Literacy rate : 66%
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $223.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $6,581. Arable land : 3.29%. Principal
agricultural products: coffee, sisal, corn, cotton,
sugar, tobacco, bananas. Major industrial products:
oil, diamonds, processed fish, tobacco, textiles,
cement, processed food and sugar. Natural
resources: diamonds, gold, iron, oil. Exports :
Crude oil, coffee, diamonds, refined oil, gas, fish
and fish products, iron ore, timber, corn.
Imports : bulk iron, steel and metals, textiles,
clothing. Major trading partners : France, Japan,
Brazil, C.I.S. republics, Portugal, U.S., Cuba.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 63
ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Location : Comprising three islands of the
Lesser Antilles situated in Eastern Caribbean sea.
St. Kitts and Nevis islands are to the west and
Montserrat and Guadeloupe to the south.
Area : 443 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 100,335.
Capital : St. John’s.
Principal river : There are no significant rivers.
Highest point : Boggey Peak, 402 in (1,319 ft).
Flag : Red, with a triangle based on the
top edge, divided horizontally black, blue, white
with a rising sun in gold on the black portion.
Monetary unit : East Caribbean dollar.
Language : English (official), local dialects.
Religion : Protestant 68.3%, of which Anglican
17.6%, Moravian 8.3%, Methodist 7.9%, Seventhday Adventist 12.4%; Roman Catholic 8.2%;
Pentecostal 12.2%; none 5.9%.
Literacy rate : 99%
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy with British-style parliament
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $2.0 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$19,838. Arable land : 9.09%. Labour force in
industry: 11%; Principal products: cotton. Major
industry: tourism. Exports : clothing, rum,
lobsters. Imports : fuel, food, machinery. Major
trading partners : U.K., U.S., Canada, Caribbean
Community and Common Market members.
ARGENTINA
Argentine Republic
Location : South-east of South America.
Argentina has a long coastline on the South
Atlantic. Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay are located
to its north and Chile to its west.
Area : 2,780,400 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 46,245,668.
Capital : Buenos Aires.
Largest cities: Buenos Aires, Cordoba,
Rosairo, Mar del Plata, Mendoza, Tucuman.
Principal rivers : Parana, Colorado, Negro,
Salado, Chubut.
Highest point : Cerro Aconcagua, 6,960 m
(22,834 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of light blue,
white and light blue, with the gold Sun of May in
the centre.
Monetary unit : Peso.
Language : Spanish, English, Italian, German,
French.
Religion : Nominally Roman Catholic 92%;
Protestant 2%; Jewish 2%; Others 4%
Literacy rate : 99%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica Argentina.
Economic Summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.1 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $23,627. Arable land : 13.68%; Labour
force in industry : 23%; Principal products : grains,
oilseeds, livestock products. Major products:
processed foods, motor vehicles, consumer
durables, textiles, chemicals. Natural resources:
minerals, lead, zinc, tin, copper, iron, manganese,
oil, uranium. Exports : oil & fats, fuel, mineral
oils, meat, corn, wheat, wool, hides. Imports :
machinery and electric equipment, crude oil,
automotive equipment and parts, iron and steel
products, chemicals. Major trading partners :
U.S., Brazil, Italy, Chile, Germany, Netherlands,
France, Germany, Japan, Spain.
ARMENIA
Republic of Armenia
Location : Located in the southern Caucasus,
it was the smallest of the former Soviet republics.
It is bounded by Georgia on the north, by
Azerbaijan on the east, on the south and the west
by Turkiye and Iran. It is a land of rugged
mountains and extinct volcanoes.
Area : 29,743 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 3,000,756.
Capital : Yerevan.
Largest cities : Yerevan, Kumairi (formerly
Leninakan), Vanadzor, Kirovakan.
Principal rivers : Araks, Zawga.
Highest point : Mt. Aragats, 4,090 m
(13,418 ft)
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, blue
and orange.
Monetary unit : Dram.
Language : Armenian.
Religion : Armenian Apostolic 92.6%;
Evangelical 1%; Other 6.4%
Literacy : 99.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Hayastani Hanrapetoutiun.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $43.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $14,630. Arable Land : 14.47%. The
republic is rich in mineral resources, chiefly copper.
Molybdenum, gold and silver are also extracted
from the mountains. The region has little coal
and iron. Manufacturing products include nonferrous metallurgy, electrical equipment and
machinery, chemicals, textiles and cognac.
Agricultural crops include wine grapes, fruits,
wheat, sugar beets, potatoes, cotton and tobacco.
Eighty per cent of the crops are gathered in
irrigated land. Major Trading partners : Russia,
China, Ukraine, Turkmenistan, Iran, Turkiye,
Belgium.
AUSTRALIA
Commonwealth of Australia
Location : Located in South-west Pacific
Ocean, the country comprises the main island
continent of Australia with the Coral and Tasman
64 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Seas (Pacific Ocean) to the east and Indian Ocean
to the west, and the offshore island of Tasmania.
Indonesia, East Timor and Papua New Guinea
are to the north off the Torres Strait and across
the Timor and Arafura Seas. New Zealand is 1,800
km to the south-east across the Tasman Sea.
Area : 7,741,220 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 26,141,369.
Capital : Canberra.
Largest cities : Canberra, Sydney, Melbourne,
Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, New Castle, Gold
Coast, Wollongong, Hobart, Geelong, Townsville,
Launceston, Cairns, Ballarat, Darwin, Bendigo.
Principal rivers : Murray, Darling, Lachlan,
Flinders, Diamentina, Ashburton, Fitzroy.
Highest Point : Mount Kosciusko, 2,230 m
(7,316 ft).
Flag : The British Blue Ensign with a large star
of seven points beneath the Union Flag and in the
fly five stars of the Southern Cross, all in white.
Monetary unit : Australian dollar.
Language : English, Chinese, Italian, other.
Religion : Protestant 23.1% (including
Anglican 13.3%,), Catholic 22.6%, Buddhist 2.5%,
Muslim 2.6%, none 30.1%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Democratic, federal
state system.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.4 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $55,807. Arable land : 6.1%; labour force
in industry 21.1%; principal products: wool, meat,
cereals, sugar, wine, grapes, sheep, cattle, dairy
products. Major products: machinery, motor
vehicles, iron and steel, textiles, chemicals. Natural
resources: gold, iron ore, bauxite, zinc, lead, tin,
coal, oil, uranium, timber. Exports : coal, wool,
metal ores, wheat, sugar, beef. Imports :
transportation equipment, petroleum and
petroleum products, machinery, appliances,
chemicals. Major trading partners : Japan, U.S.,
U.K., New Zealand, Germany, South Korea,
Singapore, China, India, Taiwan.
AUSTRIA
Republic of Austria
Location : Austria is located in Central Europe.
Germany is to its north-west, Czech and Slovak
Federative Republic to its north-east, Hungary to
its east, Yugoslavia and Italy to its south and
Switzerland to the west. Liechtenstein is between
Austria and Switzerland. Austria is a landlocked
country but has access to the sea via the Danube
river.
Area : 83,383 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 8,913,088.
Capital : Vienna.
Largest cities : Vienna, Graz, Linz Salzburg,
Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Villach, Wels, Sankt Polten,
Dornbirn.
Principal rivers : Danube, Inn, Mur.
Highest point : Grossglockner, 3,798 m
(12,462 ft)
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and red.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Language : German, Slovene, Croatian,
Hungarian, Serbian, Turkish.
Religion : Roman Catholic 73.8%; nonreligious
and atheist 8.6%; Protestant (mostly Lutheran)
4.9%; Muslim 4.2%; other 3.5%; unknown 12%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
National name : Republik Osterreich.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $423.3 billion. Per Capita GDP : $58,427.
Arable land : 16.25%. Labour force in industry :
26%. Principal agricultural products : livestock,
forest products, grains, sugar beets, potatoes.
Principal products: iron and steel, chemicals,
machinery, paper and pulp. Natural resources:
iron ore, petroleum, timber, magnesite, aluminium,
coal, lignite, cement, copper. Exports : iron and
steel products, timber, paper, textiles, electrotechnical machines, chemical products. Imports :
machinery, vehicles, chemicals, iron and steel,
metal goods, raw materials, fuels, food stuffs.
Major trading partners : Germany, Eastern
Europe, U.S., Japan, European Free Trade
Association countries.
AZERBAIJAN
Republic of Azerbaijan
Location : Azerbaijan includes the
Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic and the
largely Armenian-inhabited Nagorno-Karabakh
Autonomous Region, which was declared
abolished in 1991. Situated in the eastern area of
Transcaucasia, it is bounded in the west by
Armenia, in the north by Georgia and the Russian
Federation (Dagestan), in the east by the Caspian
Sea and in the south by Iran.
Area : 82,660 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 10,353,296.
Capital : Baku.
Largest cities : Baku, Gandye (formerly
Kirovabad) and Sumgait.
Principal rivers : Kura, Araka.
Highest point : Bazar - Dyuzi, 4,480 m
(16,694 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of blue, red
and green, with a white crescent and eight-pointed
star in the centre of the red strip.
Monetary unit : New Manat.
Languages : Azerbaijani (Azeri) (official),
Lezgi, Russian, Armenian.
Religion : Muslim (Predom, Shia) 96.9%,
Christian 3%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Literacy : 99.8.
National name : Azarbaijchan Respublikasy.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 65
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $160.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $15,843. Oil is the most important industry
and it was the former Soviet Union’s most
important oil producing region, but is now in
decline. The republic is rich in natural resources:
iron, aluminium, copper, lead, zinc, precious
metals, sulphur pyrites, limestone and salt. The
chief agricultural products are grain, cotton, rice,
grapes, fruit, vegetables, tobacco and silk. Major
industries: petroleum and natural gas, petroleum
products, oilfield equipment, iron and steel,
cement, chemicals and textiles. Labour force in
industry : 12.1%. Trading partners : Mostly C.I.S.
and European countries, Turkiye, Italy, Iran, UAE.
BAHAMAS, THE
Commonwealth of the Bahamas
Location : An archipelago of islands is located
in Western Atlantic Ocean. It stretches from the
Straits of Florida to end with the Turks and Chicos
Islands. United States is located to its north-west
across the Straits of Florida, and Cuba and Haiti
are to its south.
Area : 13,880 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 355,608.
Capital : Nassau
Largest city : Nassau, Freeport.
Principal rivers : No significant rivers.
Highest point : Mount Alvernia, Cat Island,
63 m (206 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of aquamarine,
gold and aquamarine, with a black triangle on the
hoist.
Monetary unit : Bahamian dollar.
Language : English, Creole.
Religion : Protestant 69.9% (including Baptist
34.9%, Anglican 13.7%, Pentecostal 8.9%), Roman
Catholic 12%, other Christian 13%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $13.5 billion. Per Capita GDP : $34,108.
Labour force in industry: 5%. Principal agricultural
products : fruits, vegetables. Major industrial
products : fish, petroleum, pharmaceutical products;
tourism. Natural resources: salt, aragonite, timber.
Exports : lobster, fish, pharmaceuticals, cement,
rum. Imports : crude oil, foodstuffs, manufactured
goods. Major trading partners : U.S., UK, Trinidad
and Tobago, Canada.
BAHRAIN
Kingdom of Bahrain
Location : Middle East. Bahrain is an
archipelago of 33 islands in the Gulf about 40 km
from the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia. The Qatar
peninsula is located to the south-east. The two
main islands are Bahrain and Muharraq.
Area : 760 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,540,558.
Capital : Manama.
Principal rivers : There are no rivers.
Highest point : Jabal al-Dukhan, 134 m
(440 ft).
Flag : Red, with white serrated vertical stripes
on hoist.
Monetary unit : Bahraini dinar.
Languages : Arabic (official), English, Farsi,
Urdu.
Religion : Muslim 70.3%; Christian 14.5%;
Hindu 9.8%.
Literacy rate : 97.5%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy
National name : Dawlat al Bahrayn.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $79.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $45,411. Labour force: industry 79%;
Arable land : 1.79%; Principal products: eggs,
vegetables, fruits. Major industries : Petroleum
processing and refining, aluminium smelting,
ship repairing. Natural resources : oil, fish.
Exports : oil, aluminium, fish. Imports :
machinery, oil industry equipment, motor vehicles,
foodstuffs. Major trading partners : Saudi
Arabia, U.S., U.K., Japan, India, UAE, Germany,
S. Korea.
BANGLADESH
People’s Republic of Bangladesh
Location : Located in South Asia, Bangladesh
has a coastline on the Bay of Bengal. It mainly
comprises the delta of the Ganges river. India
borders the country to the west, north and east
Burma is located to its south-east.
Area : 148,460 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 165,650,475.
Capital : Dhaka.
Other cities : Chittagong, Khulna, Rajshahi,
Narayanganj, Rangpur, Mymensingh, Comilla,
Sylhet, Barisal.
Principal rivers : Ganges, Brahmaputra.
Highest point : Keokradong, 1,230 m
(4,034 ft).
Flag : Bottle green with a red disc in the centre.
Monetary unit : Taka.
Languages : Bengali (official), English.
Religion : Muslim 89.1%; Hindu 10%.
Literacy rate : 74.9%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy
National name : Gana Prajatantri Bangladesh.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.1 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $6,613. Arable land : 52.9%; Agriculture
accounts for 17.2% of GDP and 47% of
employment. Principal agricultural products : rice,
jute, potatoes, tea, sugar, wheat. Labour force in
industry 13%; Major industrial products: jute
66 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
goods, textiles, leather, sugar, fertiliser, paper,
pharmaceuticals. Natural resources: natural gas,
uranium, timber. Exports : jute goods, jute, tea,
leather, seafood. Imports : foodgrains, fuels, raw
cotton, yarn, manufactured goods. Major trading
partners : U.S., Japan, India, China, South Korea,
Germany.
BARBADOS
Location : Located in Eastern Caribbean Sea,
Barbados is the most easterly of the Caribbean
islands, about 300 km north-east of Trinidad.
Area : 430 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 302,674.
Capital : Bridgetown.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : Mount Hillaby, 340 m
(1,115ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of blue, gold and
blue, with a black trident in the centre.
Monetary unit : Barbados dollar.
Language : English.
Religions : Protestant 66.4% (of which
Anglican 23.9%, Pentecostal 19.5%, Methodist
4.2%); Roman Catholic 3.8%; other Christian
3.4%; nonreligious/other 20.6%.
Literacy rate : 99.6%.
Type of Government : Independent sovereign
state within the Commonwealth.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $4.3 billion. Per Capita GDP : $14,817.
Arable land : 27.9%; Principal agricultural products:
sugarcane, subsistence foods. Major industrial
products: light manufacturing, sugar milling;
tourism. Exports : sugar and molasses, chemicals,
electric components, machinery and transport
equipments, clothing. Imports : foodstuffs,
consumer durables, raw materials, machinery, crude
oil, construction materials, chemicals. Major trading
partners : U.S., Caribbean nations, U.K., Canada.
BELARUS
Republic of Belarus
Location : Belarus (Belorussia) is situated along
the Western Dvina and Dnieper. It is bounded in
the west by Poland, north by Lativa and Lithuania,
east by Russia and south by the Ukraine.
Area : 207,600 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 9,413,505.
Capital : Minsk.
Largest cities : Minsk, Homel, Vitebsk, Brest,
Mahilyou, Bobruisk, Hrodno.
Principal rivers : Inepr, Pripyat, Ivina, Neman.
Highest point : Dzyarzhynskaya Mountain,
346 m (1,136 ft).
Flag : Horizontally divided in the proportions
2:1 into a red field and a green band, with a
vertical white band charged with the national
ornament in the red in the hoist.
Monetary unit : Belarusian ruble.
Languages : Belarusian (White Russian).
Religion : Orthodox 48.3%; Roman Catholic
7.1%; non-believers 41.1%.
Literacy : 99.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Respublika Belarus.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $202.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $21,699. The country has rich deposits of
rock salt; peat briquettes are also produced. Arable
land : 26.63%. Labour force in industry : 45.9%.
One-quarter of the republic’s work force is
employed in agriculture. The main agricultural
products are grains, milk, neat, eggs, potatoes,
vegetables and sugarbeat and also includes elm,
maple and white beech. The industry accounts
for two-thirds of the country’s income. Major
industries include food-processing, chemical,
textile, artificial silk, flax-spinning, motor vehicle,
leather, machine-tool and agricultural machinery
industries. Exports : machinery and equipment,
chemicals, metals, textiles, foodstuffs. Imports :
mineral products, Major Trading Partner :
Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Lithuania.
BELGIUM
Kingdom of Belgium
Location : Located in Western Europe, Belgium
has a coastline on the North Sea. Netherlands is
to the north-east, Germany to the east, Luxembourg
to the south-east and France to the south.
Area : 30,528 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 11,847,338.
Capital : Brussels.
Largest cities : Brussels, Antwerp, Leuven,
Ghent, Hasselt, Bruges, Malines, Courtrai, Namur,
Mons, Ostend.
Principal rivers : Scheldt, Meuse, Sambre
Highest Point : Botrange, 694 m (2,272 ft)
Flag : Three vertical stripes of black, yellow
and red
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Flemish (Dutch), 60%; French,
40%; bilingual (Brussels), 11%; German 1%
Religion : Christians 62.7% (Catholic 59.8%);
agnostic 25.7%; Muslim 8.4%.
Literacy : NA.
National name : Royaume de Belgique—
Koninkrijk van Belgie.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
democracy under a constitutional monarch.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $682.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $58,931. Arable land : 27.06%, Labour
force in industry : 25%. Principal agricultural
products : livestock, poultry, grain, sugar beets,
flax, tobacco, potatoes, vegetables, fruits. Major
industrial products; fabricated metal, iron
and steel, machinery, textiles, chemicals.
Exports : chemicals, iron and steel products,
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 67
pharmaceuticals, diamonds, textile products.
Imports : fuels, grains, chemicals, foodstuffs.
Major trading partners : European Community,
U.S., Eastern Europe.
BELIZE
Location : Central America. Belize has a
coastline with the Caribbean Sea. Mexico is located
to its north and Guatemala to its west.
Area : 22,966 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 412,387.
Capital : Belmopan.
Largest cities : Belmopan, Belize City, Orange
Walk, Corozal, San Ignacio.
Principal rivers : Hondo, Belize, New River.
Highest point : Victoria Peak, 1,122 m
(3,681 ft).
Flag : Blue with red band along the top and
bottom edges. In the centre a white disc containing
the coat of arms surrounded by a green garland.
Monetary unit : Belize dollar.
Languages : English (official) and Spanish,
Mayan dialects, Carib.
Literacy rate : NA.
Religion : Roman Catholic 40.1%; Protestant
31.5% (of which Pentecostal 8.4%, Anglican 4.5%,
Seventh-day Adventist 5.4%, Mennonite 3.7%);
other Christian 1.9%; nonreligious 15.5%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
democracy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $2.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $6,921. Arable land : 3.27%; Principal
products : sugarcane, citrus fruits, corn, molasses,
rice, bananas, livestock. Labour force in industry :
18.1%; Major products: timber, processed foods,
furniture, rum, soap. Natural resources: timber.
Exports : sugar, molasses, clothing, lumber, citrus
fruits, fish. Imports : fuels, transportation
equipment, foodstuffs, textiles, machinery. Major
trading partners : U.S., U.K., Jamaica, Mexico.
BENIN
Republic of Benin
Location : West Africa. The hinterland of
Benin runs north from a coastal strip on the
Atlantic Ocean. Togo is located to the west of
Benin, Nigeria to the east and Burkina Faso and
Niger to the north.
Area : 112,622 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 13,754,688.
Capital : Porto-Novo.
Largest cities : Porto-Novo, Cotonou,
Parakau.
Principal rivers : Queme, Niger.
Highest point : Atacora Massif, 635 m
(2,083 ft).
Flag : Horizontally yellow over red with a
green vertical stripe in the hoist.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Languages : French, African languages.
Religions : Christian 46.5% (Catholic 24.2%,
Independent 12%, Protestant 10.2%); Muslim 28%
(Sunni); ethnic religionist 25.1.
Literacy rate : 42.4%.
Type of Government : Republic
National name : Republique du Benin.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $47.2 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $3,789. Arable land : 22.4%; Labour force :
13% in industry; 60% in agriculture. Principal
products: oil palms, peanuts, cotton, coffee,
tobacco, corn, rice, livestock, fish. Major industrial
products: processed palm oil, palm kernel oil.
Natural resources: low grade iron ore, limestone,
some off-shore oil. Exports : palm and agricultural
products. Imports : clothing, consumer goods,
lumber, fuels, foodstuffs, machinery,
transportation equipment. Major trading
partners : France and other Western European
countries, U.S., Japan, Thailand, China, Brazil.
BHUTAN
Kingdom of Bhutan
Location : A landlocked country, Bhutan
is located in Central Asia, in the eastern Himalayas,
with India to the south and Tibet to the north.
Area : 38,394 sq. km
Population (2022) : 867,775.
Capital and largest city : Thimphu.
Principal rivers : Amo-chu, Wang-chu, Machu.
Highest point : Khula Kangri, 7,554 m
(24,784 ft).
Flag : Diagonally yellow over orange, overall
in the centre a white dragon.
Monetary unit : Ngultrum.
Language : Dzongkha (official).
Religions : Buddhist (official) 82.7%; Hindu
11.4%; ethnic religionist 3.4%.
Literacy rate : 66.6%.
Type of Government : Monarchy.
National name : Druk-yul.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2020) : $8.6 billion. Per Capita GDP : $11,129.
Arable land : 22.4%; Labour force : 13% in industry;
60% in agriculture. Principal products: oil palms,
peanuts, cotton, coffee, tobacco, corn, rice, livestock,
fish. Major industrial products: processed palm oil,
palm kernel oil. Natural resources: low grade iron
ore, limestone, some off-shore oil. Exports : palm
and agricultural products. Imports : clothing,
consumer goods, lumber, fuels, foodstuffs,
machinery, transportation equipment. Major
trading partners : France and other Western
European countries, U.S., Japan, Thailand, China,
Brazil.
BOLIVIA
Plurinational State of Bolivia
Location : West-Central South America. Brazil
is to the north and east, Paraguay and Argentina
68 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
to the south, and Chile and Peru to the west.
Bolivia is a landlocked country, but has some
access to the sea via the Paraguay and Parana
rivers which lead to the River Plate.
Area : 1,098,581 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 12,054,379.
Constitutional Capital : Sucre.
Administrative Capital : La Paz.
Largest cities : Sucre, La Paz, Santa Cruz,
Beni, Potosi, Cochabamba, Oruro.
Principal rivers : Beni, Mamore, Pilcomayo,
Paraguay.
Highest point : Sajama, 6,542 m (21,463 ft.)
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, yellow
and green.
Monetary unit : Boliviano.
Languages : Spanish, Quechua, Aymara (all
official).
Religions : Roman Catholic 76.8%; Protestant
7.9%, Evangelical and Pentecostal 8.1%, none
5.5%.
Literacy rate : 93.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de Bolivia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $106.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $9,030. Principal products : potatoes, corn,
rice, sugarcane, bananas. Labour force in industry :
20%. Major products : refined petroleum,
processed foods, tin, textiles, clothing. Natural
resources: petroleum, natural gas, tin, lead, zinc,
copper, tungsten, bismuth, antimony, gold,
sulphur, silver, iron ore. Exports : tin, petroleum,
lead, zinc, silver, antimony, gold, coffee, sugar,
cotton, natural gas. Imports : foodstuffs,
chemicals, capital goods, pharmaceuticals,
transport equipment. Major trading partners :
U.S., Argentina, U.K., Belgium, Japan.
BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA
The Federation of Bosnia and
Herzegovina
Location : The republic is bounded in the
north and west by Croatia, in the east and southeast by Serbia and Montenegro. It is virtually
landlocked, having a coastline of only 20 km with
no harbours.
Area : 51,197 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 3,816,459.
Capital : Sarajevo (Bosnia).
Largest cities : Sarajevo, Banja Luka in Bosnia,
Tuzla, Mostar. Mostar is the capital of
Herzegovina.
Principal rivers : Sava, Drina, Bosna.
Highest point : Maglic, 2,387 m (9,118 ft.)
Flag : A white field on which is a blue shield
with a white bend and gold fleur de lys.
Monetary unit : Convertible Marka
Languages : Bosnian, Croatian and Serbian.
Religion : Muslim 50.7%; Orthodox 30.6%;
Roman Catholic 15.2%
Literacy rate : 98.5%.
Type of Government : Federal republic.
National name : Republika Bosna i
Herzegovina.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $55.0 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$16,846. Labour force : agriculture 18.9%; industry
29.8%. The country’s past dependence on
agriculture has decreased due to recent efforts to
modernise and develop industry. Mining and
manufacturing now predominate in the nation’s
economy. Agricultural crops include wheat, maize,
tobacco, potatoes and plums. Minerals include
coal, lignite, iron, bauxite, lead, zinc, mercury and
manganese. Manufacturing items are cement,
cotton fabrics, cars, sugar and TV sets.
BOTSWANA
Republic of Botswana
Location : South Central Africa. Botswana is
a landlocked country. Zimbabwe and Zambia are
to its northeast, South Africa to the south and
South-West Africa to the west and north. A large
part of Botswana forms the Kalahari Desert.
Area : 581,730 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,384,246.
Capital : Gaborone
Largest cities : Gaborone, Francistown, SelebiPikwe, Lobatse.
Principal rivers : Chobe, Shashi
Highest point : Tsodilo Hill, 1,375 m
(4,511 ft).
Flag : Light blue with a horizontal black stripe,
edged white, across the centre.
Monetary unit : Pula.
Languages : English, Setswana, Kalanga.
Religion : Christian 79.1%, Badimo 4.1%,
none 15.2%.
Literacy rate : 88.5%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $42.2 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $17,604. Arable land : 0.4%; Principal
products : livestock, sorghum, corn, millet,
cowpeas, beans. Major industrial products :
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash,
coal, frozen beef, tourism. Natural resources :
diamonds, copper, nickel, salt, soda ash, potash,
coal. Exports : meat products, diamonds, hides,
copper, nickel. Imports : machinery, transport
equipment, manufactured goods, food, chemicals,
mineral fuels, textiles, petroleum products. Major
trading partners : South African Customs Union,
U.K., U.S., Switzerland.
BRAZIL
Federative Republic of Brazil
Location : Central and East South America.
Uruguay, Argentina and Paraguay are located to
the south-west, Bolivia and Peru to the west. To
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 69
the north of Brazil are Colombia, Venezuela,
Guyana, Suriname and French Guyana. It is the
fifth largest country in the world, ranking after
Russia, Canada, China and the U.S.
Area : 8,514,870 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 217,240,060.
Capital : Brasilia.
Main cities : Brasilia, Sao Paulo, Rio de
Janeiro, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, Recife, Porto
Alegre, Fortaleza, Nova Iguacu, Belem, Goiania,
Manaus.
Principal rivers : Amazon, Parana, Sao
Francisco, Madeira, Jurua, Purus.
Highest point : Pico da Neblina, 3,014 m
(9,888 ft).
Flag : Green, with yellow lozenge on which is
placed a blue sphere, containing 27 white stars
and crossed with a band bearing the motto Ordem
a Progresso.
Monetary unit : Real (BRL).
Language : Portuguese (official), Spanish,
minor Amerindian languages.
Religion : Catholic 74% (including syncretic
Afro-Catholic cults having Spiritist beliefs and
rituals), of which Roman Catholic 64.6%; Protestant
22.2%, of which Pentecostal 19.1%; other Christian
0.7%; New-Religionist 0.3%; Buddhist 0.3%; Jewish
0.2%; Muslim 0.1%; none 8%.
Literacy rate : 93.2%.
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
National name : Republica Federative do
Brasil.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $3.4 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $16,056. Arable land : 8.45%; Labour
force : agriculture 15.7%, industry 13.3%. Principal
products : coffee, rice, cattle, tobacco, sugarcane,
soyabeans, cocoa. Major products : steel,
chemicals, petrochemicals, machinery, motor
vehicles, cement, lumber. Natural resources : iron
ore, manganese, bauxite, nickel, other industrial
metals. Exports : coffee, iron ore, sugar, beef,
soyabeans, transport equipment, machinery, cocoa
beans, footwear. Imports : wheat, aluminium,
petroleum, machinery, chemicals, pharmaceuticals.
Major trading partners : U.S., Japan, Argentina,
Netherlands, Germany, Italy, U.K., Chile.
BRUNEI
Brunei Darussalam
Location : Located in South-East Asia. It is in
the north coast of the island of Borneo
surrounded by Sarawak (Malaysia).
Area : 5,765 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 478,054.
Capital : Bandar Seri Begawan.
Principal river: Brunei River.
Highest point : Bukit Pagon (on the border
with Malaysia), 1,850 m (6,070 ft).
Flag : Yellow, with two diagonal stripes of
white over black with the national arms in red
placed over all in centre.
Monetary unit : Brunei dollar.
Languages : Malay (official), Chinese, English.
Religion : Muslim 78.8%; Buddhist 7.8%;
Christian 8.7%; other religions and other (including
indigenous beliefs) 4.7%.
Literacy rate : 97.2%.
Type of Government : Independent sultanate
National name : Negara Brunei Darussalam.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $29.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $66,620. Arable land : 0.52%; Principal
agricultural products: fruit, rice, pepper. Labour
force : production of oil, natural gas, services and
construction, 47.5%; agriculture, forestry, fishing,
41.9%. Major industrial products : crude
petroleum, liquefied natural gas. Natural resources:
petroleum, natural gas. Exports : crude petroleum,
liquefied natural gas. Imports : machinery,
transport, equipment, manufactured goods,
foodstuffs. Major trading partners : Japan,
Thailand, U.K., U.S., Singapore, South Korea.
BULGARIA
Republic of Bulgaria
Location : South-east Europe. Located in the
eastern Balkans, Bulgaria has a coastline to the
east on the Black Sea. Romania is to the north,
Yugoslavia to the west and Greece and Turkiye
are to the south.
Area : 110,879 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 6,873,253.
Capital : Sofia.
Largest cities : Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna, Ruse,
Burgas, Stara Zagora, Pleven, Dobrich, Sliven,
Shumen.
Principal rivers : Danube, Iskur, Maritsa,
Tundzha.
Highest point : Musala, 2,925 m (9,596 ft)
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of white green
and red.
Monetary unit : Lev.
Language : Bulgarian.
Religion : Bulgarian Orthodox 59.4%; Muslim
7.8%; Other 1.7%, none 3.7%, unspecified 27.4.
Literacy rate : 98.4%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republika Bulgaria.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $184.2 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $26,705. Arable land : 29.28%; Principal
products : grains, tobacco, fruits, vegetables.
Labour force in industry : 35.2%; in agriculture,
7.1%. Major products: processed agricultural
products, machinery, textiles, clothing. Natural
resources: metals, minerals, lumber. Exports :
machinery and transport equipment, fuels,
minerals, raw materials, agricultural products.
Imports : machinery and transportation
equipment, fuels, raw materials, metals, agricultural
raw materials. Major trading partners : C.I.S.
republics, Germany, Turkiye, Italy, Greece.
70 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
BURKINA FASO
(Upper Volta)
Location : West Africa. Burkina Faso is a
landlocked country but is the source of tributaries
of the Volta River. Mali is located to the north
and west, Niger to the east, and Benin, Togo,
Ghana and Cote d’ Ivoire to the south.
Area : 274,200 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 21,935,389.
Capital : Ouagadougou.
Largest cities : Ouagadougou, BoboDioulasso, Koudougou, Ouahigouya, Banfora.
Principal rivers : Mouhoun (Black Volta),
Nakambe (White Volta), Nazinou (Red Volta).
Highest point : Mt. Tema, 749 m (2,457 ft).
Flag : Horizontally red over green with a yellow
star over all in the centre.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Ethnic groups : Moses, Lobi, Fulanis,
Gourounsi, Gourmantche, Senoufo, Boussance,
Mande.
Languages : French, Tribal languages.
Religion : Muslim 61.5%; Catholic 23.3%,
animist 7.8%, Protestant 6.5%.
Literacy rate : 39.4%.
National name : Republique Democratique
du Bourkina Fasso.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $52.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,462. Arable land : 20.79%; Labour force
in agriculture 90%; principal products : millet,
sorghum, corn, rice, livestock, peanuts, sugarcane,
cotton. Major industrial products : processed
agricultural products, light industrial items, brick,
brewed products. Natural resources: manganese,
limestone, marble, gold, uranium, bauxite, copper.
Exports : livestock, peanuts, cotton. Imports :
textiles, food and consumer goods, transport
equipment, machinery, fuels. Major trading
partners : Cote d’ Ivoire, Taiwan, France,
Thailand, Italy, Nigeria, Japan.
BURUNDI
Republic of Burundi
Location : Central Africa. Burundi is a
landlocked country. Lake Tanganyika is the southwest border, with Zaire to its west, Rwanda to
the north and Tanzania to the east and south.
Area : 27,830 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 12,696,478.
Capital : Bujumbura
Largest city : Bujumbura, Kitega.
Principal rivers : Kagera, Ruzizi.
Highest point : Mt. Hela, 2,685 m (8,809 ft)
Flag : White diagonal cross dividing triangles
of red and green, in the centre a white disc bearing
three red green-bordered 6-pointed stars.
Monetary unit : Burundi franc.
Languages : Kirundi and French (both
official), Swahili.
Religions : Roman Catholic) 62.1%,
Protestants 23.9%, Muslim 2.5%, others 3.6%,
unspecified 7.9%.
Literacy rate : 68.4%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republikay Uburundi.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $9.7 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$793. Arable land : 33.06%; Labour force :
agriculture 93.6%. Principal agricultural products :
coffee, tea, cotton, bananas, sorghum. Major
industrial products: light consumer goods. Natural
resources: nickel, kaolin, gold, unexploited copper
and platinum deposits. Exports : coffee, tea,
cotton. Imports : Producer goods, consumer
goods, transport equipment, petroleum products.
Major trading partners : Belgium, Germany,
France, U.S.
CABO VERDE
Republic of Cabo Verde
Location : Eastern Atlantic Ocean. Cabo
Verde is a group of 10 islands and 5 isles located
about 600 km west of Dakar in Senegal.
Area : 4,033 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 596,707.
Capital : Praia.
Largest cities : Praia, Mindelo.
Principal rivers : There are no significant rivers.
Highest point : Monte Fogo, 2,829 m
(9,281 ft).
Flag : A blue field, in the lower half of which
are three horizontal stripes of white, red and white,
on which are superimposed 10 yellow stars
arranged in a circle.
Monetary unit : Cape Verde escudo
Languages : Portuguese, Crioulo
Religion : Roman Catholic 77.3%; Protestant
3.7% Muslim 1.8%; none 10.8%.
Literacy rate : 86.8%.
Type of Government : Republic
National name : Republica de Cabo Verde
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $3.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $7,028. Arable land : 11.6%; Labour
force in agriculture : 57%. Principal agricultural
products : bananas, corn, sugarcane, coconuts.
Major industry: fishing. Natural resources: salt,
siliceous rock. Exports : fish, textiles. Imports :
machinery, petroleum products. Major trading
partners : Portugal, Japan, Angola, Zaire, Algeria,
Belgium/Luxembourg, Netherlands, Spain,
France, Italy, U.S., Germany, Sweden.
CAMBODIA
Kingdom of Cambodia
Location : Located in South-east Asia, Cambodia
(Kampuchea) has a coastline on the Gulf of Siam.
Thailand is to its west and north, Laos to its north
and Vietnam to its east and south.
Area : 181,035 sq. km.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 71
Population (2022) : 16,713,015.
Capital : Phnom Penh.
Largest cities : Phnom Penh, Battambaug,
Kampong Chan.
Principal river : Mekong.
Highest point : Phnum Aoral, 1,813 m
(5,947 ft).
Flag : Divided red over blue with a depiction
of the temple of Angkor Vat in yellow overall in
the centre.
Monetary unit : Riel.
Languages : Khmer (official), French.
Religions : Buddhist (official) 96.9%, Muslim
1.9%, other 3.7%.
Literacy rate : 80.5%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $79.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $4,683. Arable land: 22.09%. Principal
agricultural products : rice, rubber, corn. Major
industrial products : fish, wood and wood
products, milled rice. Natural resources: timber,
gemstones, iron ore, manganese, phosphate.
Exports : natural rubber, rice, pepper, wood.
Imports : foodstuffs, fuel, machinery. Major
trading partners : Eastern Europe, Vietnam,
Republics of C.I.S., Japan, India.
CAMEROON
Republic of Cameroon
Location : West Central Africa. Cameroon is
located on the west coast of Africa, with Nigeria
to the north-west, Chad to the north-east, Central
African Republic to the east, and Congo, Gabon
and Equatorial Guinea to the south.
Area : 475,440 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 29,321,637.
Capital : Yaounde.
Largest cities : Yaounde, Douala,
Nkongsamba, Maroua, Bafoussam.
Principal rivers : Samaga, Nyong.
Highest point : Mont Cameroun, 4,069 m
(13,353 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of green, red and
yellow, with a gold star in the centre.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Languages : French and English (both
official); 24 major African language groups.
Religion : Catholic 38.4%, Protestant 26.3%,
Muslim 20.9%, animist 5.6%.
Literacy rate : 77.1%.
Type of Government : Republic
National name : Republique du Cameroun
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $110.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $4,064. Arable land: 13.04%; labour force
in agriculture : 70%; Principal products: coffee,
cocoa, corn, peanuts. Labour force in industry :
13%. Major products: crude oil products, small
manufacturing consumer goods, aluminium.
Natural resources: timber, some oil, bauxite.
Exports : cocoa, coffee, timber, aluminium,
petroleum. Imports : consumer goods, machinery,
food, beverages, tobacco, fuel. Major trading
partners : France, U.S., Western European
nations, particularly the Netherlands.
CANADA
Location : Northern half of North America.
United States forms the southern border and the
land border to the north-west. The territory
stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific.
Area : 9,984,670 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 38,232,593.
Capital : Ottawa.
Largest cities : Ottawa, Toronto, Montreal,
Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg,
Quebec, Hamilton, St. Catharines Niagara.
Principal rivers : Mackenzie, Slave, Peace,
St. Lawrence, Yukon, Nisutlin, Nelson,
Saskatchewan.
Highest point : Mount Logan, 5,951 m
(19,524 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of red, white and
red, with the white of double width and bearing
a stylised red maple leaf.
Monetary unit : Canadian dollar.
Languages : English, French.
Religion : Roman Catholic 39%, Protestant
20.3%, unspecified Christian 2.6%, Orthodox
1.6%, other Christian 6.3%; Muslim 3.2%; Sikh
1.4%; none 23.9%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Confederation with
parliamentary democracy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $2.0 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $52,085. Arable land : 4.3%; Principal
products : wheat, barley, oats, livestock. Labour
force : agri. 2%, mfg 13%, constr. 6%, services
76%, other 3%. Major products : transportation
equipment, petroleum, chemicals, wood products.
Exports : wheat, petroleum, lumber and wood
products, motor vehicles. Imports : electronic
equipment, chemicals. Major trading partners :
U.S., Japan, U.K., C.I.S. nations, Germany,
Mexico, South Korea, Taiwan.
CENTRAL AFRICAN
REPUBLIC
Location : Central Africa. Chad is located to
the north of the Central African Republic, Sudan
to east, Zaire and Congo to its south, and
Cameroon to its west.
Area : 622,984 sq. km
Population (2022) : 5,454,533.
Capital : Bangui.
Largest cities : Bangui, Bambari, Bouar.
Principal rivers : Ubangui, Zaire, Shari
Highest point : Mt. Gaou, 1,420 m (4,659 ft)
Flag : Four horizontal stripes of blue, white,
green and yellow; overall in the centre a vertical
red stripe and in the canton a yellow star.
72 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Monetary unit : Franc CFA
Ethnic groups : Mandija, Baya, Banda,
Mboum, M’baka, Azanda, Yakoma, Sara
Languages : French (official) and Sangho,
Arabic, Hansa, Swahili
Religion : Indigenous beliefs 35%, Protestant
25%, Roman Catholic 25%, Muslim 15%.
Literacy rate : 37.4%.
Type of Government : Republic (under
military rule)
National name : Republique Centrafricaine
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $5.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $1,021. Labour force in agriculture : 85%;
Principal products : cotton, coffee, peanuts, food
crops, livestock. Major industrial products: timber,
textiles, soap, cigarettes, diamonds, processed
food. Natural resources : diamonds, timber.
Exports : diamonds, cotton, timber, coffee.
Imports : machinery and electrical equipment,
petroleum products, textiles. Major trading
partners : France, Belgium, Italy, Yugoslavia,
Western Europe, Japan, U.S., Algeria.
CHAD
Republic of Chad
Location : Chad is a landlocked country. Libya
is located to its north, Sudan to east, Central
African Republic to its south and Cameroon,
Nigeria and Niger to its west. Chad includes part
of the Sahara desert.
Area : 1,284,000 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 17,963,211.
Capital : N’Djamena.
Largest cities : N’Djamena, Sarh, Moundou.
Principal river : Chari.
Highest point : Emi Koussi, 3,415 m
(11,204 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of blue, yellow
and red.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Ethnic groups : Baguirmiens, Kanemobus,
Saras, Massas, Arabs, Toubous, others.
Languages : French and Arabic (official),
many tribal languages.
Religion : Muslim 52.1%; Roman Catholic
20%, Protestant 23.9%; traditional beliefs 7.4%;
other 4%.
Literacy rate : 22.3%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique du Tchad.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $26.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $1,591. Arable land : 3.8%; Labour force
in agriculture 80%. Principal products: cotton,
cattle, sugar, subsistence crops. Labour force in
industry and services 20%. Major products:
livestock and livestock products, textiles, cigarettes.
Natural resources : petroleum, unexploited
uranium, kaolin. Exports : cotton, livestock and
animal products. Imports : food, motor vehicles
and parts, petroleum products, machinery, cement,
textiles. Major trading partners : France, Nigeria,
U.S., Cameroon.
CHILE
Republic of Chile
Location : South-west of South America, Chile
has a coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Argentina
and Bolivia are located to its east and Peru to its
north. The Andes mountains run the length of
the country, forming the border with Argentina.
Many islands are included in the Republic, of
which Easter Island is about 3,000 km to the west
in the Pacific Ocean.
Area : 756,102 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 18,430,408.
Capital : Santiago.
Largest cities : Santiago, Valparaiso,
Concepcion, Vina del Mar, Puente Alto,
Talcahuano, Antofagasta.
Principal rivers : Loa, Maule, Bio-Bio.
Highest point : Ojos del Salado, 6,895 m.
Flag : Two horizontal bands, white and red,
with a white star on blue square in top left next
to staff.
Monetary unit : Chilean Peso.
Language : Spanish, Mapudungun, English.
Religion : Roman Catholic 66.7%, Evangelical
16.4%, Jehova’s Witnesses 1%, others 3.4%, none
11.5%.
Literacy rate : 96.4%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de Chile.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $559.2 billion. Per Capita GDP : $29,104.
Arable land: 1.74%; Principal products: grains,
wheat, corn, sugar beets, vegetables, wine, livestock.
Labour force in industry: 23%. Major products:
processed fish, transportation equipment, iron and
steel, pulp, paper. Natural resources: copper, timber,
iron ore, nitrates. Exports : copper, iron ore, paper
and wood products, fruits. Imports : vehicles,
petroleum, capital goods. Major trading partners :
U.S., Japan, European Community, Brazil,
Argentina.
CHINA
People’s Republic of China
(excluding Hong Kong & Macao)
Location : China comprises the main centre of
the continent of Asia, with a coastline on the Yellow
Sea, East China Sea and South China Sea. North
Korea has a border in the north-east, Russia and
Mongolia are to the north, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan
and Kazakhstan to the west, and to the south are
Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan,
Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.
Area : 9,596,960 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,410,539,758.
Capital : Beijing.
Main cities : Beijing (Peking), Shanghai, Tianjin
(Tientsin), Canton, Wuhan, Shenyang (Mukden),
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Nanjing (Nanking), Chongqing (Chungking),
Harbin, Chengdu, Xian, Dalian (Darian), Jinan,
Changchun, Qingdao (Tsingtao), Shenzen, Taiyan,
Zengzhou, Kunming.
Principal rivers : Yangtze (Chang Jiang),
Huang He (Yellow River), Xijiang (Sinkiang or
Pearl River), Heilongjiang (Amur).
Flag : Red with a large star and four smaller
stars, all in yellow in the canton.
Monetary unit : Yuan Renminbi.
Languages : Standard Chinese or Mandarin;
Yue or Cantonese; also local dialects.
Religions : Officially atheist; Buddhist (18.2%),
Christian (5.1%), Muslim (1.8%), unaffiliated
(52.2%).
Literacy rate : 96.8%.
Type of Government : Communist party-led
State.
National name : Zhonghua Renmin
Gongheguo.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $27.3 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $19,338. Arable land : 11.6%. Labour
force : agriculture 34.8%, industry 29.5%, services
35.7%. Principal products: rice, wheat, grains,
cotton. Major industrial products: iron and steel,
textiles, armaments, petroleum. Natural resources:
coal, natural gas, limestone, marble, metals,
hydropower potential. Exports : agricultural
products, petroleum, minerals, metals, textiles,
garments, telecommunications and recording
equipment, illicit drugs. China is illicit producer
of opium (bulk production in Yunnan Province).
Imports : grains, chemical fertiliser, steel, industrial
raw material, machinery and equipment. Major
trading partners : Japan, U.S., Germany, India,
Taiwan, Singapore, Canada, C.I.S. countries, Italy.
COLOMBIA
Republic of Colombia
Location : North-west of South America.
Colombia has coastlines on the Pacific Ocean and
Caribbean Sea. Venezuela is located to its northeast, Brazil to its south-east, Peru and Ecuador to
the south-west and Panama to its north-west,
forming the link with Central America.
Area : 1,138,910 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 49,059,221.
Capital : Bogota.
Largest cities : Bogota, Medellin, Cali,
Baranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cartagena.
Principal rivers : Magdalena, Cauca, Amazon
(Amazonas).
Highest point : Pico Cristobal Colon, 5,775 m
(18,947 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of yellow, blue
and red, with the yellow of double width.
Monetary unit : Colombian Peso.
Language : Spanish.
Religion : Roman Catholic 79%; Protestant
14%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Literacy rate : 95.6%.
National name : Republica de Colombia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $866.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $16,894. Arable land : 1.84%; Principal
agricultural products: coffee, bananas, rice, corn,
sugarcane, cotton, tobacco, flowers. Labour force
in industry 21%. Major industrial products: textiles,
processed food, beverages, chemicals, metal
products, cement. Natural resources: petroleum,
natural gas, coal, iron ore, nickel, gold, copper,
silver, emeralds. Exports : coffee, fuel oil, cotton,
bananas. Imports : machinery, electrical
equipment, chemical products, metals and metal
products, transportation equipment. Major
trading partners : U.S., E.U., Japan, Venezuela,
the Netherlands, Brazil, Sweden. Major supplier
of cocaine to U.S. and international dry markets,
also producer of cannabis and opium.
COMOROS
Union of the Comoros
Location : Western Indian Ocean. Comoros
is an archipelago of four islands off the east
African coast of Mozambique.
Area : 2,235 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 876,437.
Capital : Moroni.
Largest city : Moroni, Fomboni, Mutsamudu.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : Mont Kartala (active volcano),
2,361 m (7,746 ft).
Flag : Green with a crescent and four stars all
in white in the centre and tilted towards the lower
fly.
Monetary unit : Comorian Franc.
Languages : French, Arabic (both official);
Shikomoro (blend of Swahili & Arabic).
Religion : Sunni Muslim 98%; other (incl. Shia
Muslim,Roman Catholic) 2%.
Literacy rate : 58.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique Federal Islamique
des Comores.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $2.9 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$3,284. Arable land : 44.06%. Labour force : 80%
in agriculture. Principal agricultural products:
perfume essences, copra, coconuts, cloves, vanilla,
cinnamon, yams. Major industrial products :
perfume distillations. Exports : perfume essences,
vanilla, copra, cloves. Imports : foodstuffs, fuel,
cotton textiles, cement. Major trading partners :
France, U.K., U.S.
CONGO,
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Location : Central Africa. Democratic Republic
of Congo forms the centre of Africa reaching
from an eastern border with Uganda, Rwanda,
74 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Burundi and Tanzania, to the Atlantic Ocean,
where there is a short coastline at the outlet of
the Zaire (Congo) river which provides a corridor
through Angolan territory. The main border to
the west is with Republic of Congo, to the north
with Central African Republic and Sudan, and to
the south with Angola and Zambia.
Area : 2,344,858 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 108,407,721.
Capital : Kinshasa.
Largest cities : Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, MbujiMaaji, Kananga.
Principal rivers : Zaire, Lualaba, Lomami,
Oubangui, Uganbi, Kasai.
Highest Point : Mont-Ngaliema, 5,109 m
(16,763 ft).
Flag : Blue with a yellow disc bearing an arm
holding a flaming torch.
Monetary unit : Franc (CDF).
Languages : French (official), English, Bantu
dialects, mainly Swahili, Lingala, Ishiluba and
Kikongo.
Religions : Roman Catholic 50%; Protestant
20%; Kimbanguist 10%, Muslim 10%, other
(including syncretic sects, indigenous beliefs) 10%.
Literacy rate : 77%.
Type of Government : Republic with strong
presidential authority
National name : Republique du Congo.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $112.6 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $1,219. Arable land : 2.9%. Principal
agricultural products: coffee, palm oil, rubber,
quinine, casava, sugar, cotton, cocoa, bananas,
plantains, vegetables, fruits. Labour force in
industry : 13%. Major industrial products :
processed and unprocessed minerals, consumer
goods. Natural resources: copper, cobalt, zinc,
industrial diamonds, manganese, tin, gold, silver,
bauxite, iron, coal, hydroelectric potential.
Exports : cobalt, diamonds, petroleum, coffee.
Imports : consumer goods, foodstuffs, mining
and other machinery, transport equipment, fuels.
Major trading partners : Belgium, France, U.S.,
Germany, South Africa, Italy, Japan, U.K.
CONGO REPUBLIC
Republic of the CONGO
Location : West Central Africa. Congo has a
short coastline on the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest, with Gabon to the west, Angola to the
south, Democratic Republic of Congo to the south
and east and Cameroon and Central African
Republic to the north.
Area : 342,000 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,546,307.
Capital : Brazzaville.
Largest cities : Brazzaville, Pointe-Noire,
Loubomo.
Principal rivers : Zaire (Congo), Oubangui
Highest point : Monte de la Leketi, 1,040 m
(3,412 ft).
Flag : Diagonal stripes of green, yellow and
red.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Ethnic groups : Kongo, Sangha, Teke
M’Bochi.
Languages : French, Lingala, Kokongo,
others.
Religion : Roman Catholic 33.1%, Awakening
Churches 22.3%, Protestant 19.9%, Muslim 1.6%,
none 11.3%.
Literacy rate : 80.3%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name: Republique Popularie du
Congo (Formely known as Zaire).
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $20.5 billion. Per Capita GDP : $3,617.
Arable land : 1.46%. Principal agricultural products:
sugarcane, banana, coffee, cocoa, peanuts. Labour
force in agriculture : 75%. Major industrial products:
refined oil, cigarettes, cement beverages, milled
sugar. Natural resources: wood, potash, petroleum,
natural gas. Exports : oil, lumber, veneer and
plywood. Imports : machinery, transportation
equipment, manufactured consumer goods, iron
and steel, foodstuffs. Major trading partners :
France, U.S., Italy, Spain, Brazil, Germany, Japan,
other E.U. countries.
COSTA RICA
Republic of Costa Rica
Location : Central America. The Caribbean
Sea is to the east and Pacific Ocean to the west,
with Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the
south-east.
Area : 51,100 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,204,411.
Capital : San Jose.
Largest cities : San Jose, Alajuela, Cartago,
Puntarenas, Limon.
Principal river : Rio Grande.
Highest point : Chirripo Grande, 3,820 m
(12,533 ft).
Flag : Five unequal stripes of blue, white, red,
white and blue, with the national arms on a white
disc near the hoist.
Monetary unit : Costa Rican Colon.
Religions : Roman Catholic 76.3%; Evangelical
13.7%, Protestant 0.7%, other 4.8%, none 3.2%.
Literacy rate : 97.9%.
Type of Government : Democratic Republic.
National name : Republica de Costa Rica.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $120.2 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $23,387. Arable land : 4.89%. Principal
products: banana, coffee, sugarcane, rice, corn,
cocoa, livestock. Labour force in industry : 22%.
Major products : processed foods, textiles and
clothing, construction materials, fertiliser. Natural
resources: timber. Exports : coffee, bananas, beef,
sugar, cocoa. Imports : manufactured products,
machinery, transportation equipment, chemicals,
foodstuffs, fuels, fertiliser. Major trading
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partners : U.S., Central American countries,
Germany, Japan, United Kingdom.
COTE D’IVOIRE
Republic of Cote d’Ivoire
Location : West Africa. Also known as Ivory
Coast (French version of the country is Cote
d’Ivoire) has a south-facing coastline on the Gulf
of Guinea. Liberia and Guinea are located to the
west, Mali and Burkina Faso (Upper Volta) to the
north and Ghana to the east.
Area : 322,463 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 28,713,423.
Official capital : Yamoussoukro.
Administrative capital : Abidjan.
Largest cities : Yamoussoukro, Abidjan,
Bouake.
Principal rivers : Sassandra, Bandama, Komoe.
Highest point : Mont Nimba, 1,752 m
(5,748 ft)
Flag : Three vertical stripes of orange, white
and green.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Ethnic groups : Akan, Voltaiques, N Mandes,
Krous, S Mandes.
Languages : French and African languages
(Diaula esp.).
Religions : Muslim 42.9%; Catholic 17.2%;
Evangelical 11.8%; animist 3.6%; none 19.1%.
Literacy rate : 89.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique de la Cote
d’Ivoire.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $160.7 billion. Per Capita GDP : $5,940.
Arable land: 8.99%; Labour force in agriculture:
68%; Principal agricultural products: coffee, cocoa,
timber, cotton, corn, sugar, bananas. Major industrial
products: food, wood, refined oil, textiles, fertiliser.
Natural resources: diamonds, iron ore, crude oil,
manganese, cobalt, bauxite, copper. Exports :
coffee, cocoa, tropical woods. Imports : raw
materials, consumer goods, fuel. Major trading
partners : France, U.S., other E.U. countries,
Nigeria, Japan.
CROATIA
Republic of Croatia
Location : Bounded in the north by Slovenia
and Hungary and in the east by Serbia,
Montenegro and Bosnia-Herzegovina, it has an
extensive Adriatic coastline well provided with
ports includes the historical areas of Dalmatia,
Istria and Slavonia which no longer have
administrative status.
Area : 56,594 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 4,188,853.
Capital : Zagreb.
Largest cities : Zagreb, Split, Rijeka (Fiume),
Osijek.
Principal rivers : Sava, Danube, Drava.
Highest point : Troglav, 1,913 (6,275 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and blue with the arms overall in the centre.
Monetary unit : Kuna.
Languages : Croatian written with Roman
characters.
Religions : Christian 95.2%, of which Roman
Catholic 86.3%, Eastern Orthodox 4.4%,
Protestant 0.6%; Sunni Muslim 1.5%;
nonreligious/atheist 3.8%.
Literacy rate : 99.3%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy
National name : Republika Hrvatska.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $131.8 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$33,801. Croatia is highly industrialised. Natural
resources include minerals include coal, copper,
bauxite, iron ore and salt. The industrial products
include crude steel, cement, cellulose, cotton
fabric, cotton cloth, woollen yarn, wine and bear.
Major agricultural products are wheat, corn, oats,
maize, potatoes and plums.
CUBA
Republic of Cuba
Location : Cuba is the most westerly and
largest island of the Caribbean Sea. It is located
about 150 km south of Florida in the United
States and 160 km east of Mexico. Bahamas is to
its north-east, Haiti to its east, and Cayman Islands
and Jamaica to its south.
Area : 110,860 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 11,008,112.
Capital : Havana.
Largest cities : Havana, Santiago de Cuba,
Camaguey, Holguin, Santa Clara.
Principal river : Cauto.
Highest point : Pico Turquino, 1,971 m
(6,467 ft)
Flag : Three blue and two white horizontal
stripes, with a five-pointed star in a red triangle
at the hoist.
Monetary unit : Cuban Peso.
Language : Spanish.
Religion : Roman Catholic (nominally, prior
to Castro assuming power) 85%.
Literacy rate : 99.8%.
Type of Government : Communist state.
National name : Republica de Cuba.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2018) : $137 billion. Per Capita
GDP (2016) : $12,300. Arable land: 32.31%.
Labour force in agriculture, 19.7%; industry,
17.1%; services, 63.2%. Principal agricultural
products: sugar, tobacco, coffee, rice, meat,
vegetables, fruits. Major industrial products :
processed sugar and tobacco, refined oil products,
textiles, chemicals, processed food, metals, light
consumer products. Natural resources: metals,
primarily nickel, timber. Exports : sugar, coffee,
nickel, shellfish, tobacco. Imports : capital
76 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
equipment, industrial raw materials, petroleum,
consumer products. Major trading partners :
China, Canada, Japan, Italy, Argentina, Spain,
Mexico, Russia.
CYPRUS
Republic of Cyprus
Location : The island of Cyprus is located in
Eastern Mediterranean Sea and is about 70 km
south of Turkiye and 100 km west of Syria.
Area : 9,251 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,295,102.
Capital : Nicosia (in government-controlled
area).
Largest cities : Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca,
Famagusta Gazi Magusta.
Principal rivers : Seranhis, Pedieas.
Highest Point : Mount Olympus, 1,951 m
(6,399 ft).
Flag : White with a copper-coloured outline
of the island with two green olive branches
beneath.
Monetary unit : Euro
Languages : Greek, Turkish (official), English.
Religion : Greek Orthodox 89.1%, Catholic
2.9%, Protestant 2%.
Literacy rate : 99.1%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Kypriaki Dimokratia—Kibris
Cumhuriyeti.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $38.3 billion. Per Capita GDP: $42,556.
Arable land 9.06%; Principal agricultural products:
vine products, citrus fruits, potatoes, other
vegetables. Labour force in industry : 29%; Major
industrial products: beverages, footwear, clothing,
cement, asbestos, mining. Natural resources: copper,
asbestos, gypsum, building stone, marble clay, salt.
Exports : citrus fruits, potatoes, grapes, wine,
cement, illicit drugs clothing, machinery. Imports :
manufactured goods, machinery and transportation
equipment, petroleum products, foodstuffs. Major
trading partners : U.K., Greece, Lebanon,
Germany, Italy, Japan.
CZECHIA
Czech Republic
Location : The republic is bounded in the
west by Germany, north by Poland, east by
Slovakia and south by Austria.
Area : 78,867 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 10,705,384.
Capital : Prague.
Largest cities : Prague, Brno, Ostrava, Plzen
Principal rivers : Elbe (Labe), Vltava (Moldau),
Morava.
Highest point : Snezka, 1,603 m (5,259 ft).
Flag : White and red (horizontal), with a blue
triangle of full depth at the hoist, point to the fly
(the same flag as the former Czechoslovakia).
Monetary unit : Koruna.
Languages : Czech, Slovak.
Religion : Roman Catholic 10.4%, Protestant
1.1%, unaffiliated 54%, none 34.5%.
Literacy rate : 99.0%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Ceska Republika.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $473.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $44,261. Arable land 40.12%. Labour force
in industry 37.4%. Livestock is in the state and
cooperative sectors. Major agricultural products :
Sugar beets, fodder roots, corn, potatoes, wheat,
barley, dairy farming, beef cattle and poultry.
Natural resources : hard coal, kaolin, clay, graphite.
Industries : fuels, ferrous metallurgy, machinery
and equipment, motor vehicles, armaments. Major
trading partners : C.I.S., Bulgaria, Serbia,
Montenegro, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Australia
and Switzerland.
DENMARK
Kingdom of Denmark
Location : Located in Northern Europe,
Denmark occupies the Jutland peninsula and some
500 islands, including the main islands of Zealand,
Funen and Lolland, between the North Sea to
the west and the Baltic Sea to the east. Greenland
is also a Dependent Territory of it. Germany is
located to the south and Sweden to the east across
the Sea.
Area : 43,094 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,920,767.
Capital : Copenhagen.
Largest cities : Copenhagen, Arhus, Odense,
Alborg, Esbjerg, Randers, Kolding, Helsingor,
Horsens.
Principal river : Gudena.
Highest point : Yding Skovhoj, 173 m (568 ft).
Flag : Red and white Scandinavian cross
(Dannebrog)
Monetary unit : Danish Krone.
Languages : Danish, Faroese, Greenlandic (an
Inuit dialect), English (predominant second
language).
Religion : Evangelical Lutheran (official) 76%,
Muslim 4%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
National name : Kongeriget Danmark.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $378.6 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $64,651. Arable land : 57.9%; Principal
agricultural products : meat, dairy products, fish,
grains. Major industrial products : industrial and
construction equipment, electronics, chemicals,
textiles. Natural resources: crude oil, natural gas,
zinc, lead, coal, molybdenum, cryolite, uranium.
Exports : meat and dairy products, industrial
machinery, textiles and clothing, chemical
products, transportation equipment. Imports :
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 77
industrial raw materials, fuel, machinery and
equipment, transport equipment, chemicals,
petroleum. Major trading partners : Germany,
Sweden, France, U.K., U.S., Norway, Japan.
DJIBOUTI
Republic of Djibouti
Location : North-east Africa. Located on the
Gulf of Aden, Djibouti has Somalia to the southeast and Ethiopia to the south and west.
Area : 23,200 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 957,273.
Capital : Djibouti.
Principal river : There are no significant rivers.
Highest point : Musa Ali Terara, 2,062 m
(6,768 ft).
Flag : Horizontally blue over green, with a
white triangle based on the hoist charged with a
red star.
Monetary unit : Djibouti franc.
Languages : Arabic, French, Afar, Somali.
Religion : Muslim 94%, Christian 6%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Jumhouriyya Djibouti.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $5.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $5,926. Principal agricultural products :
goats, sheep, camels. Industries: port and maritime
support, construction. Exports : hides, cattle,
coffee (in transit from Ethiopia). Imports :
machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs.
Major trading partners : Middle East, Asia,
Africa, Europe, Bahrain.
DOMINICA
Commonwealth of Dominica
Location : Most northernly windward island,
Dominica is located in the Caribbean Sea.
Guadeloupe is located to its north and Martinique
to its south.
Area : 751 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 74,629.
Capital : Roseau.
Largest cities : Roseau, Portsmouth.
Principal river : Layou.
Highest point : Morne Diablotin, 1,447 m
(4,747 ft).
Flag : Green with a cross overall of yellow,
black and white pieces, and in the centre a red
disc charged with a Sisserou parrot in natural
colours within a ring of ten yellow-bordered stars.
Monetary unit : East Caribbean dollar
Languages : English (official), French patois.
Religion : Roman Catholic 61.4%; six largest
Protestant groups 28.6%, (of which Seventh-day
Adventist 6.1%, Pentecostal 6.7%, Methodist
3.7%); other 8.9%; nonreligious 6.1%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
National name : Republica Dominicana.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $864.2 million. Per Capita
GDP : $11,974. Arable land : 8%; principal
products: bananas, citrus fruits, coconuts, cocoa.
Labour force in industry : 32%. Major industries :
agricultural processing, tourism. Exports :
bananas, lime juice, coconut oil, cocoa,
soap. Imports : machinery and equipment
manufactured goods, foodstuffs, chemicals. Major
trading partners : U.K., Caribbean countries, U.S,
Italy, Canada.
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Location : Caribbean Sea. Dominican Republic
occupies the eastern two-thirds of the Hispaniola
island. Haiti is located to its west, occupying the
rest of the island, Puerto Rico is to the east of
Hispaniola island and Cuba and Jamaica to the
west.
Area : 48,670 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 10,694,700.
Capital : Santo Domingo.
Largest cities : Santo Domingo, Santiago de
los Caballeros, La Vega, San Pedro.
Principal river : Yaque del Notre.
Highest point : Pico Duarte, 3,175 m
(10,417 ft).
Flag : Blue and red, quartered by a white cross.
Monetary unit : Peso Oro.
Language : Spanish, English widely spoken
Religion : Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%.
Literacy rate : 93.8%.
Type of Government : Republic
National name : Republica Dominicana.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $227.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $20,769. Arable land: 16.4%; Principal
agricultural products: sugarcane, coffee, cocoa,
tobacco, banana. Labour force in industry : 22.3%;
Major industrial products: processed sugar, textiles,
cement, nickel, bauxite and gold mining. Natural
resources: nickel, gold, silver. Exports : sugar,
nickel, coffee, tobacco, gold, cocoa, bauxite.
Imports : foodstuffs, petroleum, industrial raw
materials, chemicals and pharmaceuticals. Major
trading partners : U.S., including Puerto Rico,
EC.
ECUADOR
Republic of Ecuador
Location : North-west of South America.
Ecuador has a coastline on the Pacific Ocean.
Colombia is to its north and Peru to its east and
south. The Galapagos Islands (Colon Archipelago),
1,000 km off the coast, are part of Ecuador.
Area : 283,561 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 17,289,554.
Capital : Quito.
Largest cities : Quito, Guayaquil, Cuenca,
Ambato, Portoviejo, Esmeraldas, Riobamba.
78 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Principal rivers : Napo, Pastaza, Curaray,
Daule.
Highest point : Chimbo razo, 6,267 m (20,561
ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of yellow, blue
and red, with the yellow of double width, and in
the centre overall the national arms.
Monetary unit : US dollar.
Languages : Spanish (by 90% of population),
Quechua, Jibaro.
Religion : Roman Catholic 74%; Evangelical
10.4% others 7.9%.
Literacy rate : 93.6%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica del Ecuador.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $208.6 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$11,661. Arable land : 4.5%. Principal agricultural
products : bananas, coffee, cocoa, sugarcane, fruits,
corn, potatoes, rice. Labour force in industry:
17.8%; Major industrial products: processed foods,
textiles, fish, chemicals, petroleum. Natural
resources : petroleum, fish, silver, gold. Exports :
petroleum, shrimp, bananas, coffee, cocoa, fish
products. Imports : agricultural and industrial
machinery, industrial raw materials, foodstuffs,
chemical products, transportation and
communication equipment. Major trading
partners : U.S., Latin America, E.U., Caribbean,
Japan.
EGYPT
Arab Republic of Egypt
Location : North-east Africa. Egypt forms the
north-east corner of Africa, with an extension
into Sinai. Libya is located to its west, Sudan to
its south, with the Mediterranean Sea forming the
northern border, and the Red Sea and Israel and
Palestine the eastern border.
Area : 1,001,450 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 107,770,524.
Capital : Cairo.
Largest cities : City of Cairo, Greater Cairo,
Alexandria, Giza, Shubra el Khema, El Mahalla el
Kubra.
Principal river : Nile.
Highest point : Mount Catherine (Jabal
Katrina), 2,642 m (8,668 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and black, with the national emblem in the centre
in gold.
Monetary unit : Egyptian pound.
Language : Arabic.
Religion : Sunni Muslim 90%; Christian 10%.
Literacy rate : 71.2%.
Type of Government : In transition.
National name : Jumhuriyah Misr al-Arabiya
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.4 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $13,316. Arable land : 2.87%. Labour force
in industry : 24%. Principal products: cotton,
wheat, rice, corn. Major industrial products:
textiles, processed foods, tobacco manufactures,
chemicals, fertilisers, petroleum and petroleum
products. Natural resources : crude oil, natural
gas, manganese, iron ore, phosphates, gypsum,
tungsten. Exports : cotton, rice, petroleum,
cement, manufactured goods. Imports :
foodstuffs, machinery, fertilisers, wood. Major
trading partners : Western Europe, Eastern
Europe, Japan, U.S.
EL SALVADOR
Republic of El Salvador
Location : Central America. El Salvador has a
coastline on the Pacific Ocean. Guatemala is
located to its north-west and Honduras to its
north and east.
Area : 21,041 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 6,568,745.
Capital : San Salvador.
Largest cities : San Salvador, Santa Ana,
Mejicanos, San Maguel.
Principal rivers : Lempa, San Miguel.
Highest point : Volcan de Santa Ana, 2,381 m
(7,812 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of blue, white
and blue, the white stripe charge with the arms of
the Republic.
Monetary unit : Colon.
Languages : Spanish, Nahua.
Religion : Roman Catholic 50%, Protestant
36%, none 12%.
Literacy rate : 90%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de El Salvador
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $63 billion. Per Capita GDP : $9,699. Arable
land: 31.61%; Labour force in industry : 20%;
Principal agricultural products : coffee, cotton, corn,
sugar, rice, sorghum. Labour force in agriculture
21%. Major industrial products: processed foods,
clothing and textiles, petroleum products. Natural
resources: hydro and geothermal power, crude oil.
Exports : coffee, cotton, sugar. Imports :
machinery, automotive vehicles, petroleum,
foodstuffs, fertiliser. Major trading partners : U.S.,
Guatemala, Japan, Germany, Mexico, Venezuela,
Costa Rica.
EQUATORIAL GUINEA
Republic of Equatorial Guinea
Location : West Central Africa. Equatorial
Guinea comprises Rio Mbini on the west coast of
Africa, with Gabon to the south and east and
Cameroon to the north, the island of Bioko
(formerly Macias Nguema Biyogo or Fernando
Poo) in the Bight of Biafra; the island of Pagalu
(formerly Annobon) in the Atlantic Ocean off
the coast of Gabon.
Area : 28,051 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,679,172.
Capital : Malabo.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 79
Largest cities : Malabo, Bata.
Principal rivers : Campo, Benito, Muni.
Highest point : Pico de Moca (Moka), 2,850 m
(9,350 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of green, white
and red; a blue triangle based on the hoist; in the
centre the national arms.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Languages : Spanish, French (both official),
English, Fang, Bubi, Creole.
Religions : Nominally Christian and
predominantly Roman Catholic; pagan practices.
Literacy rate : 95.3%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de Guinea
Ecuatorial.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $26.3 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$18,127. Arable land : 4.63%. Labour force : NA;
Principal agricultural products: cocoa, wood,
coffee Natural resources : wood, crude oil.
Exports : cocoa, wood, coffee. Imports :
foodstuffs, textiles, machinery. Major trading
partners : Spain, Italy, France, the Netherlands,
Germany.
ERITREA
Location : Horn of Africa (Central Eastern
Africa). Sudan is to the north and west, Red Sea
to the east, Djibouti and Ethiopia to the south.
Area : 117,600 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 6,209,262.
Capital : Asmara.
Largest cities : Asmara, The ports of Massawa
and Assab.
Principal river : Barka (Seasonal).
Highest point : Ramlo, 2,130 m (6,986 ft).
Flag : The flag is divided into segments by a
red triangle based on the hoist on which is a
green olive wreath and branch. The upper segment
is green and the lower light blue.
Monetary unit : Nakfa.
Languages : Afar, Bilen, Kunama, Nara,
Arabic, Tobedawi, Saho, Tigre, Tigrinya.
Religion : Christian 50.5%, of which Eritrean
Orthodox 46.1%; Muslim 44.7%; other 4.8%.
Literacy rate : 76.6%.
Type of Government : In transition.
National name : Eritrea.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2018) : $9.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $1,600. Major manufacturing industries
are : textile, leather and food products. Important
crops: Cotton, wheat and coffee. Major mineral
resources : Salt and copper. Major trading
partners : Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Italy,
Germany, U.S., U.K.
ESTONIA
Republic of Estonia
Location : The republic is bounded in the
west and north by the Baltic Sea, the gulfs of
Riga and Finland in south-west and north, east
by Russia and south by Latvia. It is a mainly
lowland country with numerous lakes.
Area : 45,228 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,211,524 million.
Capital : Tallinn.
Largest cities : Tallinn, Tartu, Kohtla-Jarve,
Narva and Parnu.
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of blue, black
and white.
Monetary unit : Euro
Languages : Estonian (official), Latvian,
Lithuanian, Russian and others.
Religion : Evangelical Lutheran 9.9%;
Orthodox 16.2%; unaffiliated 16.7%; none 54%.
Literacy rate : 99.8%
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Eesti Vabariik.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $56.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $42,192. Major manufacturing industries
are : textile, leather and food products. Important
crops: Cotton, wheat and coffee. Major mineral
resources : Salt and copper. Major trading
partners : Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Italy,
Germany, U.S., U.K.
ESWATINI
Kingdom of eSwatini
King Mswati III announced on April 19, 2018
that he was changing the country’s name from
Swaziland to “Eswatini” to celebrate the 50th
anniversary of its independence.
Location : South-east Africa. Eswatini is a
landlocked country. Mozambique is to the east
and South Africa is on the other borders.
Area : 17,364 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,121,761.
Capital : Mbabane (administrative); Lobamba
(legislative).
Largest cities : Mbabane, Lobamba, Manzini.
Principal rivers : Usutu, Komati, Umbuluzi,
Ingwavuma.
Highest point : Emlembe, 1,863 m (6,113 ft).
Flag : Horizontally five unequal stripes of blue,
yellow, crimson, yellow and blue. In the centre of
the crimson stripe is an African shield of black
and white, behind which are two assegais and a
staff, all laid horizontally.
Monetary unit : Lilangeni.
Languages : English and siSwati (both official;
English used in government).
Religion : Zionist 40%, Roman Catholic 20%,
Muslim 2%, other (including Anglican, Mormon,
Bahai, Methodist, Jewish etc.) 30%.
Literacy rate : 88.4%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $11.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $9,816. Arable land : 10.08%. Principal
80 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
agricultural products : corn, livestock, sugarcane,
citrus fruits, cotton, sorghum, pea nuts. Labour
force in agriculture 70%. Major products : milled
sugar, ginned cotton, processed meat and wood.
Natural resources : iron ore, asbestos, diamonds.
Exports : sugar, wood pulp, iron ore, asbestos,
cotton, citrus fruits. Imports : motor vehicles,
fuels and lubricants, transport equipment,
petroleum products, foodstuffs, chemicals. Major
trading partners : South Africa, U.K., U.S.
ETHIOPIA
Federal Democratic Republic of
Ethiopia
Location : North-east Africa. Sudan is located
to the west of Ethiopia, Kenya to its south,
Somalia to the south and east and Djibouti to its
north-east. The northern province of Eritrea is
on the Red Sea coast.
Area : 1,104,300 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 113,656,596.
Capital : Addis Ababa.
Largest cities : Addis Ababa, Asmara, Dire
Dawa, Gondar, Dese.
Principal rivers : Blue Nile (Abay Wenz),
Tekeze, Awash, Omo, Sagan
Highest point : Ras Dashen, 4,620 m
(15,158 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of green, yellow
and red.
Monetary unit : Birr.
Languages : Amarigna, Oromigna, Tigrigna,
Somaligna, English.
Religion : Ethiopian Orthodox 43.5%; Muslim
33.9%; Protestant 18.5%; various traditional beliefs
2.7%; Roman Catholic 0.7%; other 0.7%.
Literacy rate : 51.8%
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $306.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,600. Arable land : 13.19%; Principal
agricultural products : coffee, barley, wheat, corn,
sugarcane, cotton, oilseeds, livestock. Major
industrial products : cement, cotton textiles,
refined sugar, processed foods, refined oil. Natural
resources : potash, copper, gold, platinum.
Exports : coffee, leather products, gold,
petroleum. Imports : machinery and equipment,
pharmaceuticals, chemicals. Major trading
partners : Germany, U.S., Japan, Italy, Djibouti,
Yemen, France, Saudi Arabia.
FIJI
Republic of the Fiji Islands
Location : Located in South Central Pacific
Ocean, Fiji includes main islands Viti Levu and
Vanua Levu and 840 islands and islets, of which
about 100 are permanently inhabited. New
Zealand is about 2,000 km to the south. The
island of Rotuma is part of the territory.
Area : 18,274 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 943,737.
Capital : Suva (on Viti Levu).
Largest cities : Suva, Lautoka.
Principal rivers : Rewa, Sigatoka, Navva, Nodi,
Ba.
Highest point : Tomaniivi (Mount Victoria),
1,323 m (4,341 ft).
Flag : Light blue with the Union Flag in the
canton and the shield of Fiji in the fly.
Monetary unit : Fijian dollar.
Languages : Fijian, English (both official)
Hindustani.
Religion : Protestant 45%, Methodist 34.6%,
Hindu 27.9%, Roman Catholic 9.1% Muslim 6.3%,
Sikhs 0.3%
Literacy rate : 99.1%.
Type of Government : In transition.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $10.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $12,060. Arable land: 9.17%. Labour force
in agriculture: 70%; Principal agricultural products:
sugar, copra, rice, ginger. Major industrial products:
refined sugar, gold, lumber. Natural resources:
timber, fish, gold, silver. Exports : sugar, copra,
processed fish, lumber, gold, clothing. Imports :
foodstuffs, machinery, manufactured goods, fuels,
chemicals. Major trading partners : E.U.,
Australia, New Zealand, Japan, U.S.
FINLAND
Republic of Finland
Location : Located in Northern Europe,
Finland has a coastline on the Baltic Sea. The
Gulf of Bothnia is to the west and Gulf of Finland
to the south. To the east is the Russia and Sweden
to the west. There is also a border with Norway
to the north.
Area : 338,145 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,601547.
Capital : Helsinki.
Largest cities : Helsinki, Tampere, Espoo,
Turku, Vanta.
Principal rivers : Paatsjoki, Torniojoki,
Kemijoki, Kokemaenjoki.
Highest point : Haltiatunturi, 1,342 m
(4,344 ft).
Flag : White with a blue Scandinavian cross.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Finnish, Swedish.
Religions : Evangelical Lutheran 73.8%;
Finnish (Greek) Orthodox 1.1%; nonreligious
19.2%; other 1.1%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Constitutional Republic
National name : Suomen Tasavalta—
Republiken Finland.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $304.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $55,007. Arable land: 6.65%; Principal
agricultural products : dairy products, meat
products, cereals, sugar beets, potatoes. Labour
force in industry : 15.5%; Major products : metal
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 81
manufactures, forestry and wood products, refined
copper, ships, electronics. Natural resources:
timber. Exports : timber, paper and pulp, ships,
machinery, iron and steel, clothing, footwear.
Imports : petroleum and petroleum products,
chemicals, transportation equipment, machinery,
textile yarns. Major trading partners : Sweden,
Germany, U.K., U.S., France, Russia, Denmark,
Norway, the Netherlands.
FRANCE
French Republic
Location : Located in Western Europe, France
has coastlines on the North Sea, Atlantic Ocean
and Mediterranean Sea. Belgium and Luxembourg
are to the north, Germany, Switzerland and Italy
to the east and Spain to the south-west. Corsica
is off the coast to the south-east in the
Mediterranean Sea.
Area : 643,801 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 68,305,48.
Capital : Paris.
Largest cities : Paris, Marseilles, Lyons,
Toulouse, Nice, Nantes, Strasbourg, Bordeaux.
Principal rivers : Rhine, Loire, Rhone, Seine,
Garonne, Saone
Highest point : Mont Blanc, 4,807 m
(15,771 ft)
Flag : The Tricolour of three vertical stripes
of blue, white and red.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Language : French, declining regional dialects
including Provencal, Basque, Flemish, etc.
Religions : Roman Catholic 63%–66%,
Muslim 7%–9%, none 23-28%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique Francaise.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $3,4 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $50,729. Arable land : 33.45%; principal
agricultural products: cereals, foodgrains, livestock
and dairy products, wine, fruits, vegetables. Labour
force in industry : 24.3%. Major industrial
products: chemicals, automobiles, processed foods,
iron and steel, aircraft, textiles, clothing. Natural
resources: coal, iron ore, bauxite, fish, forests.
Exports : textiles and clothing, chemicals,
machinery and transport equipment, agricultural
products. Imports : machinery, crude petroleum,
chemicals, agricultural products. Major trading
partners : Germany, Italy, U.S., Belgium,
Luxembourg, U.K., the Netherlands, Spain, Japan.
GABON
Gabonese Republic
Location : West Central Africa. Located on
the Atlantic coast, Gabon has Republic of Congo
to the east and south and Equatorial Guinea and
Cameroon to the north.
Area : 267,667 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,340,613.
Capital : Libreville.
Largest cities : Libreville, Port-Gentil, Masuku
(formerly Franceville).
Principal river : Ogooue.
Highest point : Mont Iboundji, 1,580 m
(5,185 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of green, yellow
and blue.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Ethnic groups : Bantu tribes (including four
major groupings of Fang, Bapounou, Nzebi,
Obamba), other Africans and Europeans.
Languages : French (official), Bantu dialects.
Religion : Catholic 42.3%, Protestant 12.3%,
Other Christians 27.4%, Muslim 9.8%.
Literacy rate : 84.7%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique Gabonaise.
Member of French Community
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $35.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $15,598. Arable land : 1.21%; Principal
agricultural products: sugarcane, peanuts, wood,
cocoa, coffee, palm oil, rice, bananas. Labour force
in industry : 15%; Major industrial products:
petroleum, natural gas, processed wood,
manganese, uranium. Natural resources: wood,
petroleum, iron ore, manganese, uranium.
Exports : crude petroleum, wood and wood
products, manganese, uranium. Imports : mining
and road-building machinery, electrical equipment,
foodstuffs, textiles, transport vehicles, illicit drugs.
Major trading partners : France, U.S., Germany,
Japan, U.K., African countries.
GAMBIA, THE
Republic of the Gambia
Location : West Africa. With a coastal strip
on the Atlantic Ocean, Gambia runs east on each
side of the Gambia river. It is surrounded on all
land boundaries by Senegal.
Area : 11,295 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,413,403.
Capital : Banjul.
Largest cities : Banjul, Serrekunda, Brikama
Bakau, Farafenni.
Principal river : Gambia.
Highest point : An unmanned point on the
Senegalese border, 43 m (141 ft).
Flag : Three wide horizontal stripes of red,
blue and green, with narrower stripes of white
between them.
Monetary unit : Dalasi.
Languages : Native tongues, English (official).
Religions : Muslim 95.7%; Christian 4.2%.
Literacy rate : 50.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $6.1 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$2,434. Arable land: 39.82%; Principal agricultural
82 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
products: peanuts, rice, palm kernels. Labour force
in industry: 19%. Major industrial products:
processed peanuts. Natural resources: fish.
Exports : peanuts and peanut products, fish.
Imports : textiles, foodstuffs, tobacco, machinery,
petroleum products. Major trading partners :
U.S., E.U. nations, Asian countries.
GEORGIA
Republic of Georgia
Location : Georgia is a land of snow-capped
mountains, turbulent rivers, dense forests and
fertile valleys. It is bounded west by Black Sea
and south by Turkiye, Armenia and Azerbaijan. It
occupies the whole western part of Transcaucasia.
Area : 69,700 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 4,935,518.
Capital : Tbilisi.
Largest cities : Tbilisi, Kutaisi, Batumi,
Sukhumi.
Principal rivers : Kura, Rioni.
Highest point : Mount Elbrus (on the Russian
border, 5,642 m (18,510 ft).
Flag : Dark red, with a canton divided black
over white.
Monetary unit : Lari.
Languages : Georgian (official), Russian,
Armenian, Azerbaijani.
Religions : Orthodox Christian 83.4%, Muslim
10.7%, Armenian-Apostolic 2.9%.
Literacy rate : 99.6%.
Type of Government : Presidential Republic
with Federal elements.
National name : Sakartvelos Respublika.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $63.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $16,997. Labour force in industry 8.9%; in
agriculture and forestry, 55.6%. Major industrial
products; raw steel, rolled steel, cement, lumber,
machine tools, electronic locomotives. Agricultural
products : citrus fruits, grapes, sugar, vegetables,
grains, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and poultry.
Exports :citrus fruits, tea and other agricultural
products, Imports : machinery and parts, fuel,
transport equipment, textiles. Major trading
partners :Russia, Turkiye, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Ukraine.
GERMANY
Federal Republic of Germany
The two nations—the Federal Republic of
Germany (West Germany) and the German
Democratic Republic (East Germany) were united
on October 3, 1990 ending more than 45 years of
divided existence. There is no more East or West
Germany—once again it is just the ‘Deutschland’.
Germany, prior to World War II, was a central
European nation composed of numerous states
which had a common language and traditions and
which had been united in one country since 1871;
since World War II it was split in two parts.
The two nations agreed to monetary unification
under the West German deutsche mark beginning
in July 1990; this arrangement remained in place
till the introduction of the Euro following the
setting up of the E.U.. Germany is currently Europe’s
most powerful economy, accounting for almost a
third of the European Community’s total output.
Location : Located in Northern Central
Europe, Germany has coastlines on the North
and Baltic Seas. Poland is to the east, Belgium,
Luxembourg and the Netherlands are to its west,
Denmark to the north, Czech Republic to the
east, Austria to the south-east, Switzerland to the
south and France to the south-west.
Area : 357,022 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 84,316,622.
Capital : Berlin, seat of Parliament and
Government : Bonn.
Largest cities : Berlin, Hamburg, Munich,
Cologne, Hessen, Frankfurt, Dortmund,
Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Bremen, Hannover,
Dresden, Leipzig.
Principal rivers : Rhine (Rhein), Elbe, Danube
(Danou), Oder, Moselle (Mosel), Neckar, Havel,
Leine, Weser.
Highest point : Zugspitze, 2,963 m (9,721 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of black, red
and gold.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Language : German.
Religions : Roman Catholic 29%, Protestant
27%, Muslim 4.4%
Literacy Rate : N.A
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
National name: Bundesrepublik Deutschland.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $4.8 trillion. Per Capita GDP :
$57,928. Principal products : grains, potatoes, sugar
beets; major products : iron, steel, coal, cement,
chemicals, machinery, ships, vehicles. Labour force
in industry : 24.6%. Natural resources: timber,
coal. Exports : machines and machine tools,
chemicals, motor vehicles, iron and steel products.
Imports : manufactured and agricultural products,
raw materials, fuels. Major trading partners :
Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, U.S., U.K.
GHANA
Republic of Ghana
Location : West Africa. Ghana has a southfacing coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Cote
d’Ivoire (formerly Ivory Coast) is located to its
west, Burkina Faso to its north & Togo to its east.
Area : 238,533 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 33,107,275 million.
Capital : Accra.
Largest cities : Accra, Kumasi, Tamale,
Timale, Tema, Takoradi.
Principal river : Volta.
Highest point : Afadjato, 872 (2,860 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, gold
and green, with a black star in the centre.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 83
Monetary unit : Cedi.
Languages : English (official); native tongues
(such as Asante, Ewe, Fante).
Religions : Christian 71.2%, of which
Protestant 18.4%, African Christian 14.4%, Roman
Catholic 13.1%; traditional beliefs 5.2%; Muslim
17.6%; other 0.8%.
Literacy rate : 79%.
Type of Government : Republic
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $196.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $6,178. Arable land : 20.12%; Principal
agricultural products : cocoa, coconuts, cassava,
yam, rice, rubber. Labour force in industry : 15%;
Major industrial products : mining products, cocoa
products, aluminium. Natural resources : gold,
diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish. Exports :
cocoa beans and products, gold, timber,
aluminium, bauxite, manganese ore. Imports :
Petroleum, textiles and manufactured goods, food,
fuels, industrial raw materials, machinery, transport
equipment. Major trading partners : U.K., U.S.,
Germany, France, Japan, South Korea.
GREECE
Hellenic Republic
Location : Located in South-east Europe, the
mainland has a long coastline on the
Mediterranean Sea with the Ionian Sea to the
west and Aegean Sea to the east. There are many
islands, including Crete, around the coast,
especially to the south. Albania, Macedonia and
Bulgaria are to the north and Turkiye to the east.
Area : 131,957 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 10,533,871.
Capital : Athens.
Largest cities : Athens, Salonika, Patras,
Haraklion, Volos, Larissa.
Principal rivers : Aliakmon, Pinios, Akheloos.
Highest point : Mount Olympus, 2,911 m
(9,550 ft).
Flag : Nine horizontal stripes of blue and
white, with a canton of blue with a white cross.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Language : Greek.
Religion : Greek Orthodox (official) 81-90%,
Muslim 2%, none 4-10%
Literacy rate : 97.9%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Republic.
National name : Elliniki Dimokratia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $333.7 billion. Per Capita GDP : $31,295.
Arable land : 18.95%; Principal agricultural
products : grains, vegetables, olives, olive oil,
tobacco, cotton, livestock, dairy products. Labour
force in services, 65.1%; in agriculture, 12.4%; in
industry, 22.4%. Major industrial products: textiles,
chemicals, food processing. Natural resources :
bauxite, lignite, magnesite, crude oil, marble.
Exports : fruits, textiles, tobacco. Imports :
machinery and automotive equipment, petroleum,
consumer goods, chemicals, foodstuffs. Major
trading partners : Germany, Italy, France, U.S.,
U.K., the Netherlands, Japan.
GRENADA
State of Grenada
Location : Grenada is the most southerly of
the Windward Islands located in the Eastern
Caribbean Sea. Trinidad is 150 km to the
south and St. Vincent 110 km to the north. Some
of the Grenadines, islets lying between Grenada
and St. Vincent, are included in the territory of
Grenada.
Area : 344 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 113,949.
Capital : St. George’s.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : Mount St. Catherine, 840 m
(2,706 ft).
Flag : Divided into four triangles of yellow,
top and bottom, and green, hoist and fly. In the
centre is a red disc bearing a gold star. Along the
top and bottom are edged red stripes each bearing
three gold stars. On the green triangle near the
hoist is a pod of nutmeg.
Monetary unit : East Caribbean dollar.
Ethnic groups : Blacks; mixed Black &
European.
Language : English (official), French patois.
Religion : Roman Catholic 36%; Protestant
49.2% (incl. Pentecostal 17.2%, Seventh-day
Adventist 13.2%), none 5.7%.
Literacy rate : 98.6%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $16,680. Arable land: 8.82%. Principal
agricultural products : spices, cocoa, bananas.
Labour force in industry 20%. Exports : nutmeg,
cocoa, beans, bananas, mace. Imports : foodstuffs,
machinery, building materials. Major trading
partners : U.K., Trinidad and Tobago, U.S., Japan,
Canada, Germany.
GUATEMALA
Republic of Guatemala
Location : Central America. Guatemala has
Caribbean Sea to the east and Pacific Ocean to
the west. Mexico is located to its north, Belize to
its east and Honduras and El Salvador to the
south-east.
Area : 108,889 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 17,703,190.
Capital : Guatemala City.
Largest cities : Guatemala City,
Quezaltenango, Escuintla, Mazatenango, Puerto
Barrios.
84 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Principal rivers : Usumacinta, Montagua.
Highest point : Tajumulco, 4,220 m
(13,881 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of blue, white and
blue, with the national arms in the centre.
Monetary unit : Quetzal.
Languages : Spanish, Amerindian languages.
Religion : Roman Catholic 75.9%, of which
Catholic/traditional syncretist 25.0%; Protestant
21.8%; other 2.3%.
Literacy rate : 80.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de Guatemala.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $167.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $9,769. Arable land : 13.78%; Principal
agricultural products: corn, beans, coffee, cotton,
cattle, sugar, bananas, essential oils, timber. Labour
force in industry 14%. Principal industrial
products: sugar, textiles, construction materials,
tyres, chemicals, petroleum, pharmaceuticals.
Natural resources : nickel, timber, crude oil,
shrimp. Exports : coffee, cotton, sugar, bananas.
Imports : fuels and lubricants, industrial
machinery, transportation equipment, chemicals.
Major trading partners : U.S., Central American
nations, Caribbean, Mexico, Germany.
GUINEA
Republic of Guinea
Location : West Africa. Guinea has a coastline
on the Atlantic Ocean. Guinea-Bissau, Senegal
and Mali are located to its north, Cote d’Ivoire
(formerly Ivory Coast) to its east, and Sierra Leone
and Liberia to its south.
Area : 245,857 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 13,237,832.
Capital : Conakry.
Largest cities : Conakry, Kankan, Kindia.
Principal rivers : Niger, Bafing, Konkoure,
Kogon.
Highest point : Mount Nimba, 1,752 m
(5,748 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of red, gold and
green.
Monetary unit : Guinean franc.
Languages : French (official), native tongues
(Malinke, Susu, Fulani).
Religion : Muslim 86.2%; Christian 9.7%;
indigenous beliefs 4%.
Literacy rate : 39.6%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique de Guinee.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $38.9 billion. Per Capita GDP : $2,879.
Arable land: 11.59%. Principal agricultural products :
rice, cassava, millet, corn, coffee, bananas, palm
products, pineapples. Labour force in industry and
services : 24%. Major industrial products: bauxite,
alumina, light manufactured and processed goods.
Natural resources : bauxite, iron ore, diamonds,
gold, water power. Exports : bauxite, alumina,
pineapples, bananas, coffee. Imports : petroleum,
machinery, transport equipment, foodstuffs, textiles.
Major trading partners : U.S., France, Germany,
Canada, Eastern Europe, Brazil.
GUINEA-BISSAU
Republic of Guinea-Bissau
Location : West Africa. Guinea-Bissau has a
coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Senegal is located
to its north and Guinea to its east and south.
Area : 36,125 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,026,778.
Capital : Bissau.
Largest cities : Bafata.
Principal rivers : Bafata, Cacheu, Mansoa,
Geba, Cornbel.
Highest point : An unmanned point in the
Fouta Djallon plateau, 180 m (591 ft).
Flag : Horizontally yellow over green with red
vertical stripe in the hoist bearing a black star.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Languages : Portuguese (Official), Crioulo.
African languages.
Religion : Muslim 45.1%; Christian 22.1%,
Animist 14.9%
Literacy rate : 45.6%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica da Guine-Bissau.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $4.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,057. Arable land: 8.3%; Principal
agricultural products : palm oil, root crops, rice,
coconuts, peanuts. Major industries: food
processing, beer, soft drinks. Natural resources:
potential bauxite deposits. Exports: cashewnuts,
coconuts, shrimp, fish, wood. Imports:
foodstuffs, manufactured goods, fuels,
transportation equipment, petroleum. Major
trading partners: Portugal, Spain and other
European countries, Senegal, U.S.
GUYANA
Cooperative Republic of Guyana
Location : North-east of South America.
Guyana has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.
Brazil is located to its south, Venezuela to its
west and Suriname to its east.
Area : 214,969 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 789,683.
Capital : Georgetown.
Largest cities : Georgetown, Linden.
Principal rivers : Essequibo, Courantyne,
Mazaruni, Demarara.
Highest point : Mt. Roraima, 2,772 m (9,094 ft).
Flag : Green with a yellow triangle based on
the hoist, edged in white, charged with a red
triangle edged in black.
Monetary unit : Guyana dollar.
Languages : English (official), Amerindian
dialects, Hindustani.
Religion : Protestant 34.8% (incl. Pentecostal
22.8%, Anglican 6.9%, Seventh-Day Adventist
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 85
5%), Roman Catholic 7.1%, Hindu 24.8%, Muslim
6.8%, none 3.1%.
Literacy rate : 85.6%
Type of Government : Republic; member of
the Commonwealth of Nations.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $19.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $24,494. Arable land: 1.95%; Principal
agricultural products: sugar, rice. Labour in
industry: 44.5%. Major industrial products :
bauxite, alumina. Natural resources: bauxite, gold,
diamonds, hardwood timber, shrimp. Exports :
sugar, gold, bauxite, alumina, rice, timber.
Imports : petroleum, food, machinery. Major
trading partners : U.K., U.S., Canada, Japan,
Trinidad and Tobago, Germany.
HAITI
Republic of Haiti
Location : Caribbean Sea. Haiti occupies the
western part of the Island of Hispaniola, with
Dominican Republic to the east, occupying the
rest of the island. The islands of Cuba and Jamaica
are to the west.
Area : 27,750 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 11,334,637.
Capital : Port-au-Prince.
Principal river : Artibonite.
Highest point : Pic La Selle, 268 m (8,793 ft).
Flag : Horizontally blue over red with the
national arms on a white panel in the centre.
Monetary unit : Gourde.
Languages : French, Creole.
Religion : Roman Catholic 54.7% ; Protestant
28.5% (Baptist 15.4%); voodoo 2.1%; none 10.2%.
Literacy rate : 61.7%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique d’Haiti.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022): $36.1 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$3,127. Arable land: 36.04%; Principal agricultural
products: coffee, sugarcane, rice, corn, sorghum.
Labour force: in agriculture: 38.1%. Major
industrial products: refined sugar, textiles, flour,
cement, light assembly products. Natural resource:
bauxite. Exports: coffee, light industrial products,
bauxite, sugar, cocoa. Imports : consumer goods,
foodstuffs, industrial equipment, petroleum
products. Major trading partners: U.S., Italy,
France, Japan.
HONDURAS
Republic of Honduras
Location : Central America. Honduras has
coastline on the Pacific Ocean and the
Caribbean Sea. Guatemala is located to its west,
El Salvador to its south-west and Nicaragua to its
south-east.
Area : 112,090 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 9,459,440.
Capital : Tegucigalpa.
Principal rivers : Patuca, Ulua.
Highest point : Cerio las Minas, 2,849 m
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of blue, white
and blue, with five blue stars in the centre.
Monetary unit : Lempira.
Languages : Spanish, some Indian dialects.
English in Bay Islands Department.
Religion: Roman Catholic 46%; Protestant
41%, none 9%
Literacy rate : 88.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de Honduras.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022): $62.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $6,253. Arable land: 9.07%; Principal
agricultural products: bananas, coffee, sea food,
citrus, sugarcane, tobacco. Labour force in
industry : 20.9%. Major products : industrial
products, textiles and clothing, wood products.
Natural resources: timber, gold, silver, lead, zinc,
antimony. Exports: bananas, coffee, lumber, meat,
petroleum products, tobacco, sugar, shrimp and
lobster. Imports: manufactured goods, machinery,
transportation equipment, chemicals, petroleum.
Major trading partners: U.S., Caribbean
countries, Western Europe, Japan, Latin America.
HUNGARY
Republic of Hungary
Location : In east central Europe. Slovakia
and Ukraine to the north, Austria to the west,
Slovenia, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Romania
to east.
Area : 93,028 sq. km
Population (2022) : 9,699,577.
Capital : Budapest
Largest cities : Budapest, Miskolc, Debrecen,
Szeged, Pecs.
Principal rivers: Danube (Duna), Tisza, Drava.
Highest point : Kekes, 1,015 m (3,330 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and green.
Monetary unit : Forint.
Language : Magyar or Hungarian.
Religions : Roman Catholic 37.2%, Calvinist
11.6%, Lutheran 2.2%, Greek Catholic 1.8%, other
Christian 1%, unaffiliated 18.2%.
Literacy rate : 99.1%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
National name : Magyar Koztar-sasag.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $356.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $36,753. Arable land: 47.24%; Principal
agricultural products: corn, wheat, potatoes, sugar
beet, vegetables, wine grapes, fruits. Labour force
in industry 29.7%. Major products: steel, chemicals,
pharmaceuticals, textiles, transport equipment.
Natural resources: some bauxite and iron.
Exports : machinery and tools, industrial and
consumer goods, raw materials. Imports :
86 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
machinery, raw materials. Major trading
partners : C.I.S. countries, Eastern Europe.
ICELAND
Republic of Iceland
Location : Located in North Atlantic Ocean,
the island of Iceland is just south of the Arctic
Circle with Greenland to the west across the
Denmark Strait. Faroes and Scotland are located
to the south-east.
Area : 103,000 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 357,603.
Capital : Reykjavik.
Principal rivers : Thjorsa, Skjalfanda, Fljot.
Highest point : Hvannadalshnukur, 2,119 m
(6,952 ft).
Flag : Blue with a red white-bordered
Scandinavian cross.
Monetary unit : Krona.
Language : Icelandic, English, Nordic
languages, German widely spoken.
Religion : Evangelical Lutheran Church of
Iceland 69.9%, Roman Catholic 3.8%; Free
Church 2.9%; none 6.1%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government: Constitutional Republic.
National name : Lydveldid Island.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $21.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $57,646. Principal agricultural products:
livestock, hay, fodder, cheese. Labour force in
industry : 22.2%. Major products: processed
aluminium, fish. Natural resources: fish, diatomite,
hydroelectric and geo-thermal power. Exports :
fish, animal products, aluminium. Imports :
petroleum products, machinery, transportation
equipment, food, textiles. Major trading
partners : European Community (EC) countries,
European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
countries, U.S., Japan and Denmark.
INDIA
Republic of India
Location : Located in South Asia, the Indian
peninsula has the Bay of Bengal to the east and
Arabian Sea to the west (parts of the Indian
Ocean). Pakistan is to its west, China, Nepal and
Bhutan to the north, and Myanmar to the east.
Bangladesh in the east is mainly surrounded by
Indian territory.
Area : 3,287,263 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,389,637,446.
Capital : New Delhi.
Largest cities : Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata,
Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad,
Kanpur, Pune, Nagpur, Lucknow, Jaipur.
Principal rivers: Ganges (Ganga),
Brahmaputra, Sutlej, Yamuna, Tapti, Godavari,
Krishna, Kaveri.
Highest point : Kanchenjunga, 8,598 m
(28,208 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of saffron, white
and green, with the wheel of Asoka in the centre
of the white band in navy blue, which represents
the Charkha.
Monetary unit: Rupee.
Principal Languages : Hindi (official),
Assamese, Bengali, Bodo, Dogri, Gujarati,
Kannada, Kashmiri, Konkani, Maithili, Malayalam,
Manipuri, Marathi, Nepali, Odia, Punjabi, Sanskrit,
Santhali, Sindhi, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu (all
recognised by the Constitution). English is an
associate language.
Religions : Hindu 79.8%, Muslim 14.2%,
Christian 2.3%, Other (including Buddhist, Jain,
Sikh, etc.) 4%.
Literacy rate : 74.4%
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
National name : Bharat.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $10.2 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $7,334. Arable land : 47.87%; Principal
agricultural products : rice, wheat, oilseeds, cotton,
tea. Major industrial products : jute, processed
food, steel, machinery, transport machinery,
cement. Labour force : agriculture 49%, industry
20%. Natural resources : iron ore, coal, manganese,
mica, bauxite, limestone. Exports : gems and
jewellery, engineering goods, leather manufactures,
tea, textiles and clothing. Imports : machinery
and transport equipment, petroleum products,
crude oil, edible oils. Major trading partners :
U.S., U.K., C.I.S. nations, Japan, China, E.U., West
Asia.
INDONESIA
Republic of Indonesia
Location : Located in South-east Asia,
Indonesia is a group of 17,508 islands off the
coast of mainland. Only about 6,000 islands are
inhabited. Main islands or parts of islands are
Java, Sumatra, Sulawesi (Celebes), Maluku
(Moluccas), Kalimantan (Borneo), Bali, Madura
and Irian Jaya (West Irian). In Borneo there is a
border to the north with Malaysia (Sabah and
Sarawak), in New Guinea a border to the east
with Papua New Guinea and in Timor a border
to the east with East Timor.
Area : 1,904,569 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 277,329,163.
Capital : Jakarta.
Largest cities : Jakarta, Surabaya, Bandung,
Medan, Semarang.
Principal rivers : Kapuas Digual, Barito.
Highest point : Ngga Pulu (Carsteuza
Pyramid), 5,030 m (16,503 ft) (on Irian Java).
Flag : Horizontally red over white.
Monetary unit : Rupiah.
Languages : Bahasa Indonesia (official),
Dutch, English and more than 580 regional
languages.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 87
Religion : Muslim 87.2%; Protestant 7%;
Roman Catholic 2.9%; Hindu 1.7%.
Literacy rate : 96.0%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republik Indonesia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $3.6 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $12,904. Arable land: 12.34%; Principal
agricultural products: rice, cassava, rubber, coffee,
palm oil, tea. Labour force in industry: 22.2%.
Major industrial products: petroleum, timber,
rubber, textiles, food and beverages, light
manufactures, cement, fertiliser. Natural resources:
oil, timber, nickel, natural gas, tin, bauxite, copper.
Exports : petroleum and liquid natural gas, timber,
rubber, coffee, tin. Imports : rice, wheat, iron
and steel, chemicals, textiles. Major trading
partners : Japan, U.S., Singapore, E.U.
IRAN
Islamic Republic of Iran
Location : Western Asia. There are coastlines
to the south on the Gulf and the Oman Sea and
to the north on the Caspian Sea. Armenia,
Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan are located to the
north of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan to the
east, and Turkiye and Iraq to the west.
Area : 1,648,195 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 86,758,304.
Capital : Tehran.
Largest cities : Tehran, Esfahan, Mashad,
Tabriz and Shirza.
Principal rivers : Karun, Safid, Atrak,
Karkheh.
Highest point : Demavend, 5,604 (18,386 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of green, white
and red; on the borders of the green and red
stripes is the legend Allah Akbar in white Kufi
script repeated 22 times in all; in the centre of the
white stripe is the national emblem in red.
Monetary unit : Rial.
Languages : Farsi (Persian), Kurdish, Arabic
Religions : Muslim 99.4% (official; Shia 90-
95%, Sunni 5-10%); other (including Zoroastrian,
Jewish, Christian, etc.) 0.3%.
Literacy rate : 85.5%.
Type of Government : Islamic Republic.
National name : Jomhuri-e-Eslami-e-Iran.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $1.3 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $15,791. Arable land: 10.05%; Principal
agricultural products: wheat, barley, rice, sugar
beets, cotton, dates, raisins, sheep, goats. Labour
force in industry: 35.1%. Major industrial products:
crude and refined oil, textiles, cement,
petrochemicals, processed foods, steel and copper
fabrication. Natural resources: oil, gas, iron,
copper. Exports : petroleum, carpets, fruits, nuts,
hides. Imports : machinery, military supplies,
foodstuffs, chemicals, pharmaceuticals. Major
trading partners : Japan, Germany, the
Netherlands, U.K., Italy, Spain, Turkiye, France.
IRAQ
Republic of Iraq
Location : Located in Middle East, Iraq has a
short coastline on the Gulf between Iran and
Kuwait. Iran is located to its east, Kuwait and
Saudi Arabia to its south, Jordan and Syria to its
west and Turkiye to its north.
Area : 438,317 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 40,462,701.
Capital : Baghdad.
Largest cities : Baghdad, Basra, Mosul.
Principal rivers : Tigris (Dijlah), Euphrates
(at Furat).
Highest point : Rawanduz, 3,658 m
(12,001 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and black, with three green stars on the white
stripe.
Monetary unit : Dinar.
Languages : Arabic (official) and Kurdish.
Religion : Muslim 95-98%(Shia 64-69%; Sunni
29-34%).
Literacy rate : 85.6%.
Type of Government : In transition
National name : Jumhouriya Al Iraqia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $428.6 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $10,409. Arable land: 9.19%; Principal
agricultural products: livestock, wheat, barley,
sugarcane, rice. Labour force in services 59.8%,
in agriculture 21.6%; in industry 18.7%. Major
industrial products: petroleum, cement, textiles.
Natural resources: oil, natural gas, gypsum,
phosphates, sulphur. Exports : foodstuffs,
petroleum. Imports : manufactured goods,
machinery, chemicals, livestock. Major trading
partners : France, Italy, Japan, Germany, Brazil,
U.K., U.S., Turkiye, C.I.S. Countries.
IRELAND
Location : Located in Northeast Atlantic
Ocean, the republic of Ireland comprises the main
part of the island of Ireland, which lies off the
west coast of Europe, the rest being Northern
Ireland, included in the United Kingdom. The
island of Great Britain (rest of United Kingdom)
is to the east.
Area : 70,273 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,275,004.
Capital : Dublin.
Largest cities : Dublin, Cork, Limerick.
Principal rivers : Shannon, Suir, Boyne,
Barrow, Erne.
Highest point : Carrauntuo hill, 1,041 m (3,414
ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of green, white
and orange.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Irish, English.
Religion : Roman Catholic 78.3%; Church of
Ireland (Anglican) 2.7%; none 9.8%
Literacy rate : NA.
88 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Republic.
National name : Poblachtna Eireann.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $535.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $106,456. Arable land: 15.11%. Principal
agricultural products: cattle and dairy products,
pigs, poultry and eggs, sheep and wool, horses,
barley, sugar beets. Labour force in industry: 19%;
Major industrial products: processed foods,
beverages, metals and engineering, electronics,
tobacco, chemicals. Natural resources: zinc, lead,
natural gas, crude oil, barite, copper, gypsum,
limestone, dolomite, peat, silver. Exports :
livestock, meat, dairy products, machinery,
chemicals, processed foods, manufactured goods,
raw materials and minerals. Imports : grains,
petroleum products, machinery, phosphates,
cereals, chemicals, textile yarn. Major trading
partners : U.K., Western European countries, U.S.
ISRAEL
State of Israel
Location : Located in Middle East, Israel has
a coastline to the west on the Mediterranean Sea
and an outlet to the Red Sea via Elat. Lebanon
is to the north, Syria to the north-east, Jordan to
the east and Egypt to the west.
Area : 20,770 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 8,914,885.
Capital : Jerusalem.
Largest cities : Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Haifa.
Principal rivers : Jordan (Yarden), Qishon.
Highest point : Har Meron (Mt. Atzmon),
1,208 m (3,963 ft).
Flag : White with two horizontal blue stripes,
the blue Shield of David in the centre.
Monetary unit : Shekel.
Languages : Hebrew, Arabic, English.
Religion : Jewish 74.8%; Muslim (mostly
Sunni) 17.6%; Christian 2%; Druze 1.6%; other
3.9%.
Literacy rate : 97.8%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy
National name : Medinat Yisra’el.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $409.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $43,722. Arable land : 13.68%; Principal
agricultural products; citrus and other fruits,
vegetables, beef, dairy and poultry products.
Labour force in industry: 16%; major industrial
products: processed foods, cut diamonds, clothing
and textiles, chemicals, metal products, transport
and electrical equipment, plastics. Natural
resources: sulphur, copper, rock salt, phosphates,
potash, bromine. Exports : polished diamonds,
citrus and other fruits, clothing and textiles,
processed foods, high technology products,
computerised medical equipment, military
hardware, fertiliser and chemical products.
Imports : rough diamonds, chemicals, machinery,
iron and steel, cereals, textiles, vehicles, ships
aircraft. Major trading partners : U.S., E.U.,
Switzerland, Japan, Hong Kong, Canada, South
Africa.
ITALY
Italian Republic
Location : Southern Europe. The Italian
peninsula projects into the Mediterranean Sea with
the Adriatic Sea to the east, Ionian Sea to the
south-east and Tyrrhenian Sea to the south-west.
In the northern part, France is to the west.
Switzerland and Austria to the north, Slovenia to
the east. The territory includes a number of islands
the main ones being Sicily and Sardinia.
Area : 301,340 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 61,095,551.
Capital : Rome.
Largest cities : Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin,
Genoa, Palermo, Bologna, Florence, Catania, Bari.
Principal rivers : Po, Tiber (Tevere), Arno,
Volturno, Garigliano.
Highest point : A point just below the summit
of Monte Bianco (Mont Blanc), 4,760 m.
Flag : Three vertical stripes of green, white
and red.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Language : Italian.
Religion : Roman Catholic 80%; other
(including Protestant, Jewish) 20%.
Literacy rate : 99.4%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica Italiana.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $2.7 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $45,936. Arable land : 22.57%; principal
agricultural products: wheat, rice, corn, vegetables,
grapes, olives, citrus fruits. Labour force: in
industry 28.3%. Major industrial products:
automobiles, machinery, chemicals, textiles, shoes.
Natural resources : mercury, potash, fish, gas,
marble. Exports : metals, engineering, textiles,
foodstuffs, transport equipment, chemicals,
footwear. Imports : chemicals, petroleum,
industrial machinery, foodstuffs, ferrous and nonferrous metals, wool, cotton. Major trading
partners : E.U., OPEC, U.S.
JAMAICA
Location : Located in the Caribbean Sea, the
island of Jamaica has Cuba about 150 km to the
north and Haiti about 160 km to the east.
Area : 10,991 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,818,596.
Capital : Kingston.
Principal river : Black River.
Highest point : Blue Mountain Peak, 2,256 m
(7,402 ft).
Flag : A yellow diagonal cross dividing triangles
of green, top and bottom, and black, hoist and
fly.
Monetary unit : Jamaican dollar.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 89
Language : English, Jamaican, Creole.
Religion : Protestant 64.8%, of which
Pentecostal 11%, Seventh-day Adventist 12%,
Baptist 6.7%, Anglican 3.7%; Roman Catholic
2.2%; none 21.3%
Literacy rate : 88.1%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
democracy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic Summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022): $29.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $10,026. Arable land: 10.9%. Principal
agricultural products: sugarcane, citrus fruits,
bananas, spices, coconuts, coffee, cocoa. Labour
force in service 64%; in agriculture 17%, in
industry 19%. Major industrial products : bauxite,
textiles, processed foods, light manufactures.
Natural resources : bauxite, gypsum. Exports :
alumina, bauxite, clothing, sugar, citrus fruits, rum,
cocoa. Imports : fuels, machinery, transport and
electrical equipment, food, fertiliser. Major
trading partners : U.S., U.K., Canada, Venezuela,
Norway, Trinidad and Tobago, Japan.
JAPAN
Nippon
Location : North-east Asia. Japan is a chain of
islands which lies off the north-east coast of Asia.
The Sea of Japan separates the islands
from Russia, China and South and North
Korea. The Pacific Ocean is to the east. The main
island is Honshu, with Hokkaido island to the
north, Shikoku and Kyushu islands to the
south. Sakhalin island (Russia) is to the north of
Hokkaido.
Area : 377,915 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 124,214,766.
Capital : Tokyo.
Largest cities : Tokyo, Yokohama, Osaka,
Nagoya, Sapporo, Kyoto, Kobe, Fukuoka,
Kawasaki, Hiroshima, Kitakyusho.
Principal rivers : Tone, Ishikarai, Shinano,
Kitakami.
Highest point : Fujiyam (Mount Fuji), 3,776 m
(12,388 ft).
Flag : White with a red disc.
Monetary unit : Yen.
Language : Japanese.
Religion : Shintoism 79.2%, Buddhism 66.8%
(many Japanese practise both Shintoism and
Buddhism); Christian 2%, Other 0.6%
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy with parliamentary democracy.
National name : Nippon.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $5.4 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $42,940. Arable land: 11.26%; Principal
agricultural products: rice, vegetables, fruits, sugar.
Labour force in industry 26.2%. Major industrial
products: machinery and equipment, metals and
metal products, textiles, autos, chemicals, electrical
and electronic equipment. Natural resource: fish.
Exports : machinery and equipment, automobiles,
metals and metal products, textiles, consumer
electronics. Imports : fossil fuels, metal ore, raw
materials, foodstuffs, machinery and equipment.
Major trading partners : U.S., West Asia,
Western Europe, South-East Asia.
JORDAN
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Location : Middle East. Israel is to the west,
between Jordan and the Mediterranean Sea, with
Syria to the north, Iraq to the east and Saudi
Arabia to the south. There is a short coastline
with access to the sea at Aqaba.
Area : 89,342 sq. km (excludes West Bank).
Population (2022) : 10,998,531.
Capital : Amman.
Largest cities : Amman, Zarka, Irbid, Salt.
Principal river : Jordan (Urdun).
Highest point : Jabal Ramm, 1,754 m
(5,755 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of black, white
and green, with a red triangle based on the hoist,
bearing a white 7-pointed star.
Monetary unit : Jordanian dinar.
Languages : Arabic (official), English.
Religion : Sunni Muslim (official) 97.2%;
Christian 2.2%.
Literacy rate : 98.2%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
National name : Al Mamlaka al Urduniya al
Hashemiyah.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $112.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $10,952. Arable land: 1.97%. Principal
agricultural products: barley, fruits, vegetables,
olive oil. Labour force in industry 20%. Major
industrial products: phosphate, refined petroleum
products, cement. Natural resources: phosphate,
potash. Exports : phosphates, fruits and
vegetables, shale oil, fertiliser, livestock. Imports :
textiles, capital goods, foodstuffs, motor vehicles,
petroleum products. Major trading partners :
U.S., Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, E.U., China.
KAZAKHSTAN
Republic of Kazakhstan
Location : Kazakhstan is bounded in the west
by the Caspian Sea and Russia, in the north by
Russia, in the east by China and in the south by
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Area : 2,724,900 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 19,398,331.
Capital : Astana
Largest cities : Astana, Almaty, Karaganda,
Chimkent, Semipalatinsk, Ust-Kamenogorsk,
Aktyubinsk, Temiratau, and Petropavlovsk.
Principal river : Syrdarya.
Highest point : Khan Tengri, 6,398 m
(20,991 ft).
90 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Flag : Light blue, in the centre a sun and a
soaring eagle, in the hoist a vertical ornamentation,
all in yellow.
Monetary unit : Tenge.
Language : Kazakh (Qazaq; state language),
Russian (official).
Religion : Muslim (mostly Sunni) 70.2%;
Christian 26.2%; Atheist 2.8%.
Literacy rate : 99.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Kazak Respublikasy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $543.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $28,600. Labour force in industry 11.9%.
Major agricultural products : grains, spring wheat,
meat, cotton, wool. Major industries: extractive
industries (oil, coal, iron ore, manganese, bauxite,
gold, silver, phosphates). Exports :oil, ferrous and
non-ferrous metals, chemicals, wool, grain wheat.
Imports : machinery and parts, industrial
materials. Major Trading Partners : Russia,
Ukraine, Uzbekistan, the Netherlands, China,
Turkiye and Germany.
KENYA
Republic of Kenya
Location : East Central Africa. With a coastline
on Indian Ocean, Somalia is located to the northeast of Kenya, Ethiopia and Sudan to its north,
Uganda to its west and Tanzania to its south.
Area : 580,367 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 55,864,655.
Capital : Nairobi.
Largest cities : Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu,
Nakuru.
Principal rivers : Tana, Umba, Athi, Mathioya.
Highest point : Mount Kenya, 5,199 m
(17,058 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of black, red
and green with the red edged in white; bearing in
the centre an African shield in black and white
with two crossed spears behind.
Monetary unit : Kenyan shilling.
Languages : English, Kiswahili (national) and
several other languages spoken by 40 ethnic
groups.
Religion : Protestant 47.7%, Roman Catholic
23.4%, Muslim 11.2%, Indigenous beliefs 1.6%.
Literacy rate : 81.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Jamhuriya Kenya.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $276.2 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $5,024. Arable land: 9.48%. Principal
agricultural products: coffee, sisal, tea, pineapples,
cotton, pyrethrum, livestock. Labour force in
services and industry, 25%, and in agriculture,
75%. Major industrial products: textiles, processed
foods, consumer goods, refined oil. Natural
resources: wildlife. Exports : coffee, tea,
foodstuffs, refined petroleum. Imports :
machinery, transport equipment, crude oil, iron
and steel products. Major trading partners:
Western European countries, East Asia, U.S.,
African countries, West Asia.
KIRIBATI
Republic of Kiribati
Location : Located in South-west Pacific
Ocean, Kiribati comprises 33 main islands in three
sections: the main Kiribati (Gilbert Island) group
of 16 main islands, including Banaba or Ocean
Island), Phoenix Islands of 8 main islands and
Line Islands of 8 main islands, including Kiritimati,
formerly Curisturas Island). The International Date
Line divides the Kiribati islands to the west from
the Phoenix and Line Islands to the east.
Area : 811 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 114,189.
Capital : Bairiki.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : 81 m (265 ft) on Bawaba.
Flag : Red with blue and white wavy lines in
base. In the centre is a gold rising sun and a
flying frigate bird.
Monetary unit : Australian dollar.
Language : English, I-Kiribati.
Religion : Roman Catholic 57.3%; Kiribati
Protestant (Congregational) 31.3%; Mormon 5.3%
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $259.4 million. Per Capita
GDP : $2,172. Principal agricultural products:
copra, vegetables. Exports : fish, copra. Imports :
foodstuffs, fuel, transportation equipment. Major
trading partners : New Zealand, Australia, Japan,
American Samoa, U.K., U.S., Fiji.
KOREA, NORTH
Democratic People’s Republic of Korea
Location : Eastern Asia. North Korea is
located in the northern part of the Korean
peninsula, with the Sea of Japan to the east and
the Yellow Sea to the west. South Korea is to the
south roughly below the 38th Parallel and China
to the north-west. There is a short border with
Russia to the north-east.
Area : 120,538 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 25,955,138.
Capital : Pyongyang.
Largest cities : Pyongyang, Hamhung,
Chongjin, Chinnampo, Sinuiju.
Principal rivers : Imjin, Ch’ongh’on, Yalu
Highest point : Pack-tu, 2,744 m (9,003 ft)
Flag : Blue, red and blue horizontal stripes
separated by narrow white bands. The red stripe
bears a white circle within which is red fivepointed star.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 91
Monetary unit : Won.
Language : Korean.
Religion : Traditionally Buddhist and
Confucianist, some Christian; autonomous
religious activities almost non-existent.
Literacy rate : 100%.
Type of Government : Communist state.
National name : Choson Minchu-chui Inmin
Konghwaguk.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2015) : $40 billion. Per Capita GDP
(2015) : $1,700. Arable land: 19.08%. Principal
agricultural products: corn, rice, vegetables. Labour
force : agriculture 35%; industry & services 65%.
Major industrial products: machines, electric
power, chemicals, textiles, fertilisers, metallurgical
products. Natural resources: coal, iron ore,
hydroelectric power. Exports: minerals, chemical
and metallurgical products. Imports:
machinery and equipment, petroleum, foodstuffs,
coking coal. Major trading partners: Russia,
China, Japan, Hong Kong, Germany, Singapore.
KOREA, SOUTH
Republic of Korea
Location : Eastern Asia. South Korea is located
in the southern part of the Korean peninsula,
with the Sea of Japan to the east and the Yellow
Sea to the west. North Korea is to the north,
Japan is about 160 km to the south-east across
the Sea of Japan.
Area : 99,720 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 51,844,834.
Capital : Seoul.
Largest cities : Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Incheon,
Kwangju, Taejon, Ulsan, Suwon.
Principal rivers : Han, Kum, Naktoug, Somjin,
Yongsan.
Highest point : Halla-san, 1,950 m (6,398 ft)
on Cheju Island.
Flag : White charged in the centre with the
yang-um in red and blue and with four black p’algwae
trigrams.
Monetary unit : Won.
Language : Korean.
Religion : Protestant 19.7%, Roman Catholic
7.9%, Buddhist 15.5%, none 56.9%.
Type of Government : Republic with power
centralised in a strong executive.
National name : Daehan Min’kuk.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $2.4 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $46,918. Arable land: 14.93%. Principal
agricultural products: rice, barley. Labour force in
industry 23.6%; Major products: clothing and
textiles, processed foods, chemical fertilisers,
chemicals, plywood, steel, electronics
equipment. Natural resources: molybdenum,
lead, tungsten, graphite, coal, hydro power.
Exports: textiles, electric and electronics, steel,
ships. Imports: transport equipment, textiles,
oil, grains, chemicals, electronics, machinery.
Major trading partners: U.S., European Union,
Japan.
KOSOVO
Republic of Kosovo
Location : Located in South East Europe,
between Serbia and Macedonia. Its neighbours
are : Serbia on the north, Montenegro on northwest, Albania on south-west and Macedonia on
south-east.
Area : 10,887 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,952,701.
Capital : Pristina
Largest Cities : Pristina, Prizren, Ferizaj.
Flag : Six white stars in an arc above a golden
map of Kosovo on a blue field.
Monetary Unit : Euro
Languages : Albanian, Serbian (both official),
Bosnian, Turkish.
Religions : Muslim, Roman Catholic, Serbian
Orthodox.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of government : Republic
National name : Republika Kosovo.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $23.0 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$12,721. Labour force : agriculture 23.6%. Major
products : Construction materials, base metals,
leather, machinery, appliances. Natural resources :
nickel, lead, zinc, magnesium, lignite, kaolin,
chrome, bauxite. Exports : iron & steel, food
products, mineral fuels. Imports : food products
& live animals, chemical products, transportation
equipment. Major trading partners : Macedonia,
Serbia, Germany, Turkiye, China, Italy, India,
Belgium.
KUWAIT
State of Kuwait
Location : Located in the Middle East, Kuwait
has a coastline to the east on the Gulf. Iraq is to
its north and west, and Saudi Arabia to the south,
the Neutral Zone, partitioned and shared with
Saudi Arabia, is to the south.
Area : 17,818 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 3,068,155.
Capital : Kuwait.
Largest cities : Kuwait, Hawalli, as-Salimiya.
Principal rivers : There are no permanent
rivers.
Highest point : 289 m (951 ft) at Ash Shaqaya.
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of green, white
and red, with a black trapezium based on the hoist.
Monetary unit : Kuwaiti dinar.
Languages : Arabic (official) and English.
Religion : Muslim 76.7%; Christian 17.3%;
other 5.9%.
Literacy rate : 96.5%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
National name : Dowlat al Kuwait.
92 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $202.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $47,303. Arable land : 0.62%. Labour force
in services: 45%; Major products: crude and
refined oil, fertiliser, petro-chemicals, building
materials, salt. Natural resources: petroleum, fish,
shrimp. Exports : crude and refined petroleum,
shrimp. Imports : foodstuffs, automobiles,
building materials, machinery, textiles. Major
trading partners : U.S., Japan, Italy, Germany,
U.K, Canada.
KYRGYZSTAN
The Kyrgyz Republic
Location : Situated on the Tien-Shan
mountains, the republic is bordered on the east
by China, on the west by Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan, on the north by Kazakhstan and on
the south by Tajikistan.
Area : 199,951 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 6,071,750.
Capital : Bishkek.
Largest cities : Bishkek, Osh, Przhevalsk,
Kyzyl-Kiya and Tokmak.
Principal rivers : Sarydzhaz, Naryn, Kyzylsu.
Highest point : Pik Pobedy, 7,439 m.
Flag : A red field in the proportions 3 : 5
charged with a gold sun of 40 wavy rays, in the
centre of which is a yurt crossed by two sets of
curved lines.
Monetary unit : Som.
Languages : Kyrgyz (of Turkic origin), Russian
(both official).
Religion : Muslim (mostly Sunni) 75%; Russian
Orthodox 20%, other 5%.
Literacy rate : 99.6%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Republic.
National name : Kyrgyz Respublikasy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $35.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $5,288. Labour force in industry 12.5%.
Arable land : 6.3%. Major agricultural products:
wheat, cotton, grapes, sugar beats, tobacco,
livestock rising. Major industrial products; electrical
engineering, hydroelectric power, agricultural
machinery, washing machines. Natural resources:
earth metals and gold. Major trading partners :
Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan.
LAOS
Lao People’s Democratic Republic
Location : Laos is a landlocked country in
South-east Asia. China is to its north, Vietnam to
its east, Cambodia (Kampuchea) to its south,
Thailand to the west and Myanmar (formerly
Burma) to the north-west.
Area : 236,800 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 7,749,595.
Capital : Vientiane.
Largest cities : Vientiane, Savannakhet, Luang
Prabang, Pakse.
Principal river : Mekong.
Highest point : Phou Bia, 2,820 m (9,252 ft)
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, blue
and red, with blue of double width. In the centre
is a large white disc.
Monetary unit : Kip.
Languages : Lao (official); French, English.
Religion : Buddhist 64.7%; Christian 1.5%;
none 31.4%.
Literacy rate : 84.7%.
Type of Government : Communist.
National name : Sathalanalat Paxathipatai
Paxaxon Lao.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $64.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $8,674. Arable land: 5.9%. Principal
products: rice, corn, vegetables. Labour force :
75.1% in agriculture, 20% in industry. Major
agricultural products : rice, corn, vegetables. Major
industrial products: tin, timber, tobacco, textiles,
electric power. Natural resources : tin, timber,
hydroelectric power. Exports : electric power,
forest products, tin concentrate, coffee, gypsum,
cardamom, clothing and textiles. Imports : rice,
foodstuffs, petroleum products, machinery,
transport equipment. Major trading partners :
Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia, China, Japan,
France, U.S., Hong Kong, Singapore.
LATVIA
The Republic of Latvia
Location : Latvia is bounded in the north by
Estonia and the Baltic Sea, west by the Baltic,
south by Lithuania and Belarus (Belorussia) and
east by Russia.
Area : 64,589 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,842,226.
Capital : Riga.
Largest cities : Riga, Daugavpils, Liepaja,
Jelgava, Jurmala, Ventspils.
Principal river : Daugava.
Highest point : Osveyskoye, 311 m (1,020 ft).
Flag : Dark red, with a narrow horizontal white
stripe across the centre.
Monetary unit : Lat.
Language : Latvian.
Religion : Christian 39.6%, of which Protestant
16.7% (of which Lutheran 19.6%), Roman
Catholic 14.9%, Orthodox 15.3%; Jewish 0.6%;
other (mostly nonreligious) 63.7%.
Literacy rate : 99.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Latvijas Republika.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $64.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $34,469. Labour force in industry 24%; in
agriculture 8.8%. Natural resources: Peat, Sapropel,
timber, limestone, dolomite and clay. Major
industries: Machinery and metal working, electrical
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 93
equipment, agricultural engineering, light industry,
timber and paper, building materials and
chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. There are peat
deposits, gypsum deposits and amber which is
frequently found in the coastal districts. Arable
land : 18.8%. Cattle and dairy farming are the
chief agricultural occupations. Imports :Petroleum
products, chemicals, machinery. Major trading
partners : Russia, Ukraine, Finland, Estonia,
Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Czech
Republic.
LEBANON
Lebanese Republic
Location: West Asia. Lebanon has a coastline
on the Mediterranean Sea. Syria is located to its
north and east and Israel to its south.
Area : 10,400 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,296,814.
Capital : Beirut.
Largest cities : Beirut, Tripoli, Sidon, Tyre,
Zahleh.
Principal river : Nahr al-Litani.
Highest point : Qurnat as-Sawda, 3,088 m.
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red,
white and red, with the white of double width
and bearing in the centre a green cedar of
Lebanon.
Monetary unit : Lebanese pound.
Languages : Arabic (official), French, English,
Armenian.
Religion : Muslim 54%, of which Shia 27%,
Sunni 27%; Christian 40.5%; Druze 5.6%.
Literacy rate : 95.1%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Jumhouriya al-Lubnaniya.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $72.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $10,691. Arable land: 10.72%. Principal
products: fruits, wheat, corn, barley, potatoes,
tobacco, olives, onions. Labour force : NA; Major
products: processed foods, textiles, cement,
chemicals, refined oil; tourism. Exports : fruits,
vegetables, textiles, chemicals, refined oil.
Imports : metals, machinery, foodstuffs, transport
equipment. Major trading partners : U.S.,
Western European and Arab countries.
LESOTHO
Kingdom of Lesotho
Location : South Africa. Lesotho is a
landlocked country and is completely surrounded
by South Africa, with Cape Province and Natal
between Lesotho and the Indian Ocean, and
Orange Free State island to its northwest.
Area : 30,355 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,193,970.
Capital : Maseru.
Principal rivers : Orange, Caledon.
Highest point : Thabana Ntlenyana, 3,482m
(11,425 ft).
Flag : Diagonally white over blue over green
with the white of double width charged with a
brown Basotho shield in the upper hoist.
Monetary unit : Loti.
Languages : English and Sesotho (official);
also Zulu and Xhosa.
Religion : Christian 80%, of which Roman
Catholic 37.5%, Protestant (mostly Presbyterian)
13.0%, African Christian 11.8%; indigenous beliefs
20%.
Literacy rate : 76.6%.
Type of Government : Modified constitutional
monarchy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $5.8 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$2,682. Arable land: 10.14%. Principal products;
corn, wheat, sorghum, barley, livestock. Labour
force in subsistence agriculture : 86%. Natural
resources: diamonds. Exports : wool, mohair,
wheat, cattle, diamonds, hides and skins. Imports :
foodstuffs, building materials, clothing, vehicles,
machinery. Major trading partners : South
Africa, E.U., North and South America.
LIBERIA
Republic of Liberia
Location : West Africa. Liberia has a coastline
on the Atlantic Ocean at the western end of the
Gulf of Guinea. Sierra Leone is located to its
north-west, Guinea to its north and Cote d’Ivoire
(Ivory Coast) to its east.
Area : 111,369 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,358,483.
Capital : Monrovia.
Largest cities : Monorovia, Buchanan.
Principal rivers : St. Paul, St. John, Cess.
Highest point : Mt. Nimba, 1,380 m (4,540 ft).
Flag : Six red and five white horizontal stripes
alternating. In the upper corner, nearest the staff,
is a square of blue covering a depth of five stripes.
In the centre of this blue field is five-pointed
white star.
Monetary unit : Liberian dollar.
Languages : English (official) and tribal
dialects.
Religion : Christian 85.6%, Muslim 12.2%.
Literacy rate : 48.3%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $8.0 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$1,553. Arable land : 4.04%. Principal products :
rubber, rice, palm oil, cassava, coffee, cocoa.
Labour force in agriculture: 70%; in industry: 8%;
Major products: iron ore, diamonds, processed
rubber, processed food, construction materials.
Natural resources: iron ore, rubber, timber,
diamonds. Exports : iron ore, rubber, timber,
diamonds. Imports : machinery, petroleum
products, transport equipment, foodstuffs. Major
trading partners : U.S., E.U., the Netherlands,
Belgium, Japan, China.
94 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
LIBYA
Great Socialist People’s
Libyan Arab Republic
Location : North Africa. Mainly desert inland,
Libya has a long coastline on the Mediterranean
Sea. Egypt and Sudan are located to its east, Chad
and Niger to its south, and Algeria and Tunisia to
west.
Area : 1,759,540 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 7,137,931.
Capital : Tripoli.
Largest cities : Tripoli, Benghazi, Misurata,
Sirte, Aljofrah.
Principal river : Wadi al-Farigh.
Highest point : Pico Bette, 2,286 m (7,500 ft).
Flag : Plain green.
Monetary unit : Libyan dinar.
Language : Arabic, Italian and English widely
understood in major cities.
Religion : Sunni Muslim (official) 96.6%;
Christian 2.7%.
Literacy rate : 91%.
Type of Government : In transition.
National name : Socialist People’s Libyan
Arab Jamahiriya.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $162.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $23,357. Arable land: 0.99%. Principal
products: wheat, barley, olives, dates, citrus fruits,
peanuts. Labour force in industry : 23%. Major
industrial products: petroleum, processed foods,
textiles, handicrafts. Natural resources: petroleum,
natural gas. Exports : petroleum. Imports :
machinery, foodstuffs, manufactured goods.
Major trading partners : Italy, Germany, U.K.,
France, Spain, Japan, Turkiye, South Korea.
LIECHTENSTEIN
Principality of Liechtenstein
Location : Central Europe. Liechtenstein
is a landlocked country and is located on the
Upper Rhine, between Austria (Vorarlberg
province) to the east and Switzerland to the west
and south.
Area : 160 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 39,711.
Capital : Vaduz.
Largest cities : Vaduz, Sachaan.
Principal rivers : Rhine (Rhein), Samina.
Highest point : Grauspitze, 2,599 m (8,326 ft)
Flag : Horizontally blue over red, with a gold
coronet in the first quarter.
Monetary unit : Swiss franc.
Language : German, Alemannic dialect.
Religion : Roman Catholic 75.9%; Protestant
6.5%; Muslim 5.4%; none 5.4%.
Type of Government : Hereditary
Constitutional Monarchy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2014) : $5 billion. Per Capita GDP
(2009) : $139,100. Arable land : 21.8%; Labour
force in industry 39.4%. Principal products:
livestock, vegetables, corn, wheat, potatoes, grapes.
Major industrial products: electronics, metal
products, textiles, ceramics, pharmaceuticals,
industrial goods. Natural resources : timber,
hydroelectric power. Exports : small speciality
machinery, dental products, hardware, chemical
products. Imports : raw materials, machinery,
processed foods and metal goods. Major trading
partners : Switzerland and other Western
European countries.
LITHUANIA
Republic of Lithuania
Location : The republic is bounded in the
north by Latvia, east and south by Belarus, and
west by Poland, the Kaliningrad area of Russia
and the Baltic Sea.
Area : 65,300 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,683,546.
Capital : Vilnius.
Largest cities : Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda,
Siauliai.
Principal rivers : Nemunas (Neman), Vihnya.
Highest point : Juozapine, 294 m (964 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of yellow, green
and red.
Monetary unit : Litas.
Language : Lithuanian (official), Russian.
Religion : Roman Catholic 77.2%; nonreligious
9.5%; Orthodox 4.1%, of which Old Believers
0.8%; Protestant 1.0%; unknown 5.4%; other
0.3%.
Literacy rate : 99.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Lietuvos Respublica.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $119.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $42,665. Labour force: Industry and
construction, 40%; agriculture and forestry, 36%.
Mainly agricultural country before 1940, it has
since been considerably industrialised. Farming is
focussed on milk and meat production. There
are heavy engineering, ship-building and building
material industries. The industrial output includes
steel, timber, cement, paper, fabrics, knitwear,
hosiery, footwear, granulated sugar, butter, etc.
Exports : Lithuania is a net exporter of meat,
milk and eggs. Other products are electronics,
petroleum products, food, chemicals. Imports :
oil machinery, chemicals, grains. Major trading
partners : About 75% of trade is with C.I.S.
nations.
LUXEMBOURG
Grand Duchy of Luxembourg
Location : Luxembourg is located in Western
Europe. Belgium is to its north and west, France
to its south and Germany to its east. It is a
landlocked country but has access to the sea via
the Moselle and Rhine.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 95
Area : 2,586 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 650,364.
Capital : Luxembourg.
Largest cities : Luxembourg, Esch-sur-Alzette,
Differdange, Dudelange, Petange, Sanem.
Principal rivers : Moselle, Sure, Our, Alzette.
Highest point : Huldange, 550 m (1,833 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and light blue.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Luxembourgish, French, German
Religion : Christian 70.4%; Muslim 2.3%; none
26.8%
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
National name : Grand Duche de
Luxembourg.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $86.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $134,754. Arable land: 23.9%. Principal
products: livestock, dairy products, wine. Labour
force (one-third are foreign workers) in service,
80.6%; in industry, 17.2%; in agriculture,
2.2%; Major products: steel, plastics, rubber,
synthetic fibres. Natural resource: iron ore.
Exports : steel, chemicals, rubber products,
glass, aluminium, plastics. Imports : minerals,
metals, foodstuff, consumer goods. Major trading
partners : European Common Market countries.
MADAGASCAR
Republic of Madagascar
Location : Madagascar is located in the
Western Indian Ocean. The island is located off
the east African coast of Mozambique and is
separated from Africa by the Mozambique
channel.
Area : 587,041 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 28,172,462.
Capital : Antananarivo.
Largest cities : Antananarivo, Toamasina,
Fianarantsoa, Mahajanga.
Principal rivers : Ikopa, Mania, Mangoky.
Highest point : Maromokotro Tsaratanana
Massif, 2,885 m (9,465 ft).
Flag : Horizontally red over green. In the hoist
is a vertical white stripe.
Monetary unit : Ariary.
Languages : Malagasy, French, English.
Ethnic groups : Merina (or Hova),
Betsimisaraka, Betsileo, Tsimihety, Antaisaka,
Sakalava, Antandroy.
Religion : Christian 41%, traditional beliefs
52%; Muslim 7%.
Literacy rate : 76.7%.
Type of Government : In transition.
National name : Repoblika Demokratika
Malagasy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $46.5 billion. Per Capita GDP : $1,635.
Arable land : 5.96%; Principal agricultural products:
rice, livestock, coffee, vanilla, sugar, cloves, cotton,
sisal, peanuts, tobacco. Labour force in subsistence
agriculture: 80-85%. Major industrial products :
processed food, textiles, assembled automobiles,
soap, mining products. Natural resources : graphite,
chromium, coal, bauxite, ilmenite, semi-precious
stones. Exports : coffee, cloves, vanilla, graphite,
cotton products. Imports : crude petroleum,
consumer goods, foodstuff. Major trading
partners : U.S., France, Japan, Italy, Germany,
U.K. and other European Union countries.
MALAWI
Republic of Malawi
Location : Central Africa. Malawi is a landlocked country. Lake Malawi forms the main part
of the eastern border, the large part of the Lake
being territory of Malawi, with a smaller area under
Mozambique. Mozambique surrounds the borders
of the southern half of Malawi, with Zambia to
the west and Tanzania to the north and east.
Area : 118,484 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 20,794,353.
Capital : Lilongwe.
Largest cities : Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu.
Principal river : Shire.
Highest point : Mount Sapitawa, 3,002 m
(9,849 ft).
Flag : Three equal horizontal stripes of black,
red and green, with a red rising sun on the centre
of black stripe.
Monetary unit : Kwacha.
Languages : English, Chichewa (official); also
Tombuka.
Religion : Protestant 27.2% (incl. Church of
Central Africa Presbyterian 17.7%), Catholic
18.4%; Muslim 12.1%.
Literacy rate : 62.1%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $32.6 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $1,658. Arable land : 30.38%. Principal
agricultural products: tobacco, tea, sugar, corn,
cotton. Labour force in agriculture: 90%; in
industry and services: 10%. Major industrial
products: food, beverages, tobacco, cement, footwear processed, consumer goods. Natural
resource: limestone, uranium, coal, bauxite
Exports : tobacco, tea, sugar, coffee, peanuts.
Imports : machinery, transport equipment,
building and construction materials, fuels. Major
trading partners : U.K., U.S., Japan, Germany,
South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
MALAYSIA
Location : Located in South-east Asia,
peninsular Malaysia occupies the southern parts
of the Kra peninsula, with Indonesia to the west
across the Strait of Malacca and the South China
Sea to the east. Thailand is to the north and
Singapore island to the south, Sabah and Sarawak
are adjoining territories on the north coast of
96 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Borneo. Indonesia occupies the larger southern
part of Borneo and Brunei forms an enclave within
Sarawak.
Area : 329,847 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 33,871,431.
Capital : Kuala Lumpur.
Largest cities : Kuala Lumpur, George
Town (Pinang), Ipoh, Johor Baharu, Petaling Jaya,
Kelang (Klang), Kota Baharu, Taiping, Seramban,
Kuantan, Kota Kinabalu, Malacca (Melaka).
Principal rivers : Pahang, Kelantan.
Highest point : Kinabalu (in Sabah), 4,101 m
(13,455 ft).
Flag : Fourteen horizontal stripes of red and
white, with a blue quarter bearing a crescent and
a star of 14 points, all in gold.
Monetary unit : Ringgit.
Languages : Malay (official), Chinese, Tamil,
English.
Religion : Muslim 61.3%; Buddhist 19.8%;
Christian 9.2%; Hindu 6.3%; Chinese folk
religionist 1.3%; others 2.4%.
Literacy rate : 95.0%.
Type of Government : Federal Parliamentary
Democracy under a constitutional monarch.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $970.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $29,617. Arable land: 5.44%. Principal
agricultural products : natural rubber, palm
products, rice. Labour force in industry 36%.
Major industrial products: processed rubber,
timber, palm oil, tin, petroleum, light
manufactures, electronics equipment. Natural
resources: tin, oil, copper, timber. Exports :
national rubber, palm oil, tin, timber, petroleum.
Imports : machinery, crude oil, capital equipment,
chemicals, consumer goods. Major trading
partners : Japan, Singapore, U.S., Western
European countries, Taiwan.
MALDIVES
Republic of Maldives
Location : Maldives is a group of about 2,000
islands grouped into 12 clusters, situated about
700 km south-west of Sri Lanka in northern Indian
Ocean.
Area : 298 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 390,164.
Capital : Male.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : 3 m (10 ft).
Flag : Red with a green panel bearing a white
crescent.
Monetary unit : Maldivian Rufiyaa.
Language : Divehi.
Religion : virtually 100% Sunni Muslim.
Literacy rate : 97.7%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $9.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $18,232. Arable land : 10%. Principal
agricultural products: coconuts, millet. Labour
force in industry 15%. Major products : fish,
processed coconuts. Natural resources : fish,
coconuts. Tourism is also an important sector of
the economy. Export: fish, clothing, ambergris.
Imports: rice, wheat, flour, sugar, drugs, textile,
petroleum products. Major trading partners :
U.S., U.K., Singapore, Thailand, Germany, India.
MALI
Republic of Mali
Location : North-west Africa. Algeria is located
to the north of Mali, Niger to its east, Burkina
Faso (Upper Volta), Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
and Guinea to its south, and Senegal and
Mauritania to its west. The northern area of the
country is part of the Sahara desert. There is an
outlet to the sea via the Senegal and Niger rivers.
Area : 1,240,192 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 20,741,769.
Capital : Bamako.
Largest cities : Bamako, Segou, Mopti.
Principal rivers : Niger, Senegal, Faleme.
Highest point : Hombori Tondo, 1,155 m
(3,789 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of green, yellow
and red.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Ethnic groups : Bambara, Peul, Soninke,
Malinke, Songhai, Dogon, Senoufo, Minianka,
Berbers and Moors.
Languages : French (official), Bambara, other
African languages.
Religion : Muslim 94.8%; Christian 2.4%;
Animist 2%: None 0.5%
Literacy rate : 30.8%.
National name : Republique de Mali.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $51.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,447. Arable land : 5.53%. Principal
agricultural products : millet, sorghum, corn, rice,
sugar, cotton, peanuts, livestock. Labour force in
agriculture : 80%. Major industrial products :
processed foods, textiles, cigarettes, fish. Natural
resources : bauxite, iron ore, manganese,
phosphate, goats, salt, limestone, gold.
Exports : meat, livestock, cotton, dried fish,
peanuts, cotton, skins. Imports : textiles,
machinery, vehicles, petroleum products, chemicals
and pharmaceuticals, sugar. Major trading
partners : Western European nations, China,
France.
MALTA
Republic of Malta
Location : Located in Mediterranean Sea, Malta
is about halfway between Gibraltar and Port Said,
with Sicily 93 km to the north and Tunisia 300
km to the west. The islands include Malta, Gozo
and Comino.
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Area : 316 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 464,186.
Capital : Valletta.
Largest cities : Valletta, Birkirkara, Harum
and Sliema (part of Valletta conglomeration).
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : An unnamed point, 249 m
(816 ft).
Flag : Two equal vertical stripes, white in the
hoist and red in the fly, with a representation of
the George Cross medal edged with red in the
canton.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Maltese and English.
Religion : Roman Catholic 90%.
Literacy rate : 94.5%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
democracy.
National name : Republikata Malta.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $24.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $47,714. Arable land : 28.12%. Principal
products : fodder crops, potatoes, wheat, barley,
citrus fruits and vegetables. Labour force in
industry : 23%; Major manufacturing products :
high-tech semiconductors, electrical switchgear,
gold and silver items products, textiles. Natural
resources : limestone, salt. Exports : textiles,
yarns, manufactured goods, ships. Imports :
manufactured goods, machinery, transport
equipment. Major trading partners : E.U.
countries, U.S.
MARSHALL ISLANDS
Republic of the Marshall Islands
Location : The Marshall Islands lie in the
Pacific Ocean north of Kiribati and east of
Micronesia, and consist of an archipelago of 31
coral atolls, five single islands and 1,152 islets
strung out in two chains, eastern and western.
Area : 181 sq. km (includes the atolls of Bikini,
Eniwetok and Kwajalein).
Population (2022) : 79,906.
Capital : Dalap-Uliga-Darrit.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : Unnamed, 6 m (20 ft).
Flag : Blue with a diagonal stripe divided
orange over white, and a white sun of 25 rays in
the canton.
Monetary unit : U.S. dollar.
Ethnic groups : Almost entirely Micronesian.
Languages : Both Marshallese and English
are official. Marshallese is a dialect of the MalayoPolynesian family.
Religion : Protestant 54.8%; Roman Catholic
8.4%; Assembly of God 25.8%; Bukot nan Jesus
2.8%
Literacy rate : 98.3%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republic of the Marshall
Islands.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $249.3 million. Per Capita
GDP : $4,181. Arable land : 11.11%. Labour force
in industry : 16.3%. High grade phosphate deposits
are mined on Ailinglaplap Atoll. The agricultural
products include coconuts, tomatoes, melons and
breadfruit which are exported. Major trading
partners : U.S. and Japan.
MAURITANIA
Islamic Republic of Mauritania
Location : North-west Africa. Mauritania has
a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Western Sahara
and Algeria are located to the north, Mali to the
east and south and Senegal to the south. The
north is the part of the Sahara desert.
Area : 1,030,700 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 4,161,925.
Capital : Nouakchott.
Largest cities : Nouakchott, Nouadhibou
(Port Etienne), Kaedi.
Principal river : Senegal.
Highest point : Kediet Ijill, 915 m (3,050 ft)
Flag : Green, with a crescent beneath a star in
yellow in the centre.
Monetary unit : Ouguiya.
Ethnic groups : Moors, Black/Moor mix,
70%; Blacks, 30%.
Languages : Arabic (official) and French.
Religion : Sunni Muslim 100%
Literacy rate : 53.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique Islamique Arabe
et Africaine.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $26.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $5,592. Arable land : 0.4%. Principal
agricultural products : livestock, millet, maize,
wheat, dates, rice. Labour force in industry and
commerce : 10%. Major industrial products : iron
ore, processed fish. Natural resources : copper,
iron ore, gypsum, fish. Exports : iron ore, fish,
gum arabic, gypsum. Imports : foodstuffs,
petroleum, capital goods. Major trading
partners: E.U., Japan, Cote D’ivoire, Algeria,
China, U.S.
MAURITIUS
Republic of Mauritius
Location : Mauritius is a group of islands
located in the Western Indian Ocean. The main
one is the island of Mauritius which lies 900 km
east of the island of Madagascar. The other main
islands are Rodrigues, Agalega and St. Brandon.
Area : 2,040 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,308,222.
Capital : Port Louis.
Largest cities : Port Louis, Beau Bassin-Rose
Hill, Curepipe, Quatre Bornes.
98 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Principal rivers : Grand River South East,
Grand River North West.
Highest point : Piton de la Riviere Noire,
826 m (2,711 ft).
Flag : Horizontally four stripes of red, blue,
yellow and green.
Monetary unit : Mauritius rupee.
Languages : English (official), French, Creole,
Hindi, Urdu, Hakka, Bhojpuri.
Religion : Hindu 48.5%; Christian 32.2%, of
which Roman Catholic 26.3%; Muslim 17.3%;
Buddhist 0.4%; other 1.2%.
Literacy rate : 93.2%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $28.2 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $22,240. Arable land : 38.24%. Principal
agricultural products : sugarcane, rice. Labour force
in industry : 30%; in government services, 25%;
in agriculture and fishing, 9%. Major products :
processed sugar and tea, molasses, rum, textiles,
electronic equipment. Natural resources: iron ore,
gypsum, fish. Exports : sugar, tea, molasses.
Imports : foodstuffs, manufactured goods. Major
trading partners : E.U., U.S., South Africa.
MEXICO
United Mexican States
Location : North America. Mexico has a coastline
on the Pacific Ocean and to the east on the Gulf
of Mexico, United States is located to the north
and Guatemala to the south; Cuba is located 160
km to the east in the Caribbean Sea.
Area : 1,964,375 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 129,150,971.
Capital : Mexico City.
Largest cities : Mexico City, Guadalajara,
Monterrey, Ciudad Juarez, Puebla, Leon.
Principal rivers : Rio Bravo de Norte (Rio
Grande), Balsas, Grijalva, Panuco.
Highest point : Volcan Citlaltepetl (Pico de
Orizaba), 5,610 m (18,405 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of green, white
and red, with the national arms in the centre.
Monetary unit : Mexican Peso.
Languages : Spanish, indigenous languages.
Religion : Roman Catholic 82.7%; Protestant
(including Evangelical) 5%, none 4.7%.
Literacy rate : 95.3%.
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
National name : Estados Unidos Mexicanos
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $2.6 trillion. Per Capita GDP : $20,036.
Arable land : 12.98%. Principal agricultural products
: rice, wheat, corn, cotton, coffee, sugarcane, fruits.
Labour force in agriculture : 13.4%; in services :
61.9%. Major products : processed foods, chemicals,
basic metals and metal products, petroleum. Natural
resources : petroleum, silver, copper, gold, lead, zinc,
natural gas, timber. Exports : coffee, cotton, sugar,
shrimp, cattle and meat, petroleum, sulphur.
Imports : machinery, equipment, industrial vehicles,
intermediate goods. Major trading partners : U.S.,
Japan, Western European countries.
MICRONESIA
Federated States of Micronesia
Location : The country lies in the North
Pacific between 137° and 163° E, comprising 607
islands.
Area : 702 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 101,009.
Capital : Palikir.
Largest cities : Palikir, Weno, Tofol, Kolonia.
Principal rivers : There are no rivers.
Highest point : Mount Totolom, 791 m
(2,595 ft).
Flag : Blue, with a ring of four white stars in
the centre.
Monetary unit : U.S. dollar.
Languages : English is the official and
common language. Major indigenous languages
are Turkese, Pohnpeian, Yapase and Kosrean.
Religion : Roman Catholic 54.7%; Protestant
41.1%, of which Congregational 38.5%; Mormon
1.5%; other/unknown 2.7%.
Type of Government : A constitutional
government in free association with the U.S. since
November 1986.
National name : Federated States of
Micronesia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $412.0 million. Per Capita
GDP : $3,544. Financial assistance from the U.S.
is the primary source of revenue. Grants and aid
from US averages $100 million per annum.
MOLDOVA
Republic of Moldova
Location : Moldova (formerly Moldavia) is
bounded in the east and south by the Ukraine
and on the west by Romania.
Area : 33,851 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 3,287,326.
Capital : Chisinau.
Largest cities : Chisinau (Kishinyov), Tiraspol,
Beltsy, Bender.
Principal rivers : Dnestr, Prut.
Highest point : Balaneshty, 430 m (1,409 ft)
Flag : Three vertical stripes of blue, yellow
and red, with the national arms in the centre.
Monetary unit : Leu.
Language : Moldovan (official; virtually same
as the Romanian language).
Religion : Eastern Orthodox 90.1%.
Literacy rate : 99.4%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica Moldaveneasca
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $40.2 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$15,637. Agriculture and food processing are the
main industries. Others include power engineering,
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 99
textiles, metal working, building materials, machine
building, TV sets, washing machines and other
consumer goods, and manufacturing of electrical
appliances. Agriculture products are wheat, corn,
barley, sugar beets, fruits and wine grapes,
soyabeans, tobacco and animal husbandry. Eightyfive per of the land is cultivated.Lignite,
phosphorous, gypsum and valuable building
materials and mined. All ploughing and sowing is
mechanised. The agricultural products comprise
grain, sugar-beet, vegetables, fruit, grapes, meat,
milk and eggs.
MONACO
Principality of Monaco
Location : Located in Southern Europe,
Monaco forms an enclave on the Mediterranean
Sea coast of France.
Area : 2 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 31,400.
Capital : Monaco.
Largest cities : Monaco, Monte-Carlo.
Principal river : Vesubie.
Highest point : On Chemin de Revoires,
162 m (533 ft).
Flag : Horizontally red over white.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : French, Monegasque, Italian.
Religion : Christian 93.2%, of which Roman
Catholic 90%; Jewish 1.7%; nonreligious and other
5.1%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
National name : Principaute de Monaco.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2015) : $7.7 billion; Per Capita GDP
(2015) : $115,700.
MONGOLIA
Mongolian People’s Republic
Location : Central Asia. Mongolia is a
landlocked country. Russian Federation is to the
north and China to the east, south and west.
Area : 1,564,116 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 3,227,863.
Capital : Ulaan Baatar.
Largest cities : Ulaan Baatar, Darhan, Erdenet.
Principal rivers : Selenge, Orhon, Hereleng.
Highest point : Mont Hayrhan Uul, 4,362 m
(14,311 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of red, sky blue
and red, with a golden soyombo emblem in the
hoist.
Monetary unit : Tughrik.
Language : Khalkha Mongol 90%; also Turkic,
Russian and Chinese.
Religion : Tantric Buddhist (Lamaism) 53%;
Muslim 3%; Christian 2.2%; none 38.6%.
Literacy rate : 99.2%.
National name : Bugd Nairamdakh Mongol
Ard Uls.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $42.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $12,863. Arable land : 0.39%. Principal
agricultural products : livestock, wheat, oats, barley.
Major industrial products : animal products,
building materials, minerals. Natural resources :
coal, copper, molybdenum, iron, oil, lead, gold,
tungsten. Exports : copper, cashmere, livestock,
animal products, wool, non-ferrous metals.
Imports : machinery and equipment, clothing,
petroleum, chemicals, sugar, tea. Major trading
partners : C.I.S. nations, China, Japan, Austria.
MONTENEGRO
Republic of Montenegro
Location : Located in southeastern Europe,
between Serbia and the Adriatic Sea. Its
neighbours are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina,
Croatia and Serbia.
Area : 13,812 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 604,966.
Capital : Podgorica
Largest cities : Podgorica, Niksic, Pljevlja,
Berane
Flag : Orange-coloured with yellowish borders
and an animal motif in the centre.
Monetary Unit : Euro.
Languages : Montenegrin (official), Serbian,
Bosnian, Albanian, Croatian.
Religions : Orthodox 72.1%, Muslim 19.1%,
Roman Catholic 3.4%.
Literacy rate : 98.9%.
Type of Government : Republic
Economic Summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $14.1 billion, Per Capita
GDP : $22,795. Arable land : 12.4%; Labour force
in industry 21%. Major industries : steelmaking,
aluminium, agro-processing, consumer goods,
tourism. Major trading partners : Greece, Italy,
Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
MOROCCO
Kingdom of Morocco
Location : North-west Africa. Morocco is
located on the north-west corner of Africa and
has a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean and the
Mediterranean Sea. Algeria is to the east of country
and Western Sahara to its south.
Area : 446,550 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 36,738,229.
Capital : Rabat.
Largest cities : Rabat, Casablanca, Rabat-Sale,
Fez, Marrakech, Laayoune, Oujda, Kenitra,
Tetouan.
Principal rivers : Oued Dra, Oued Moulouya,
Sebov.
Highest point : Jebel Toubkal, 4,165 m.
Flag : Red, with a green pentacle star in the
centre.
Monetary unit: Dirham.
100 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Languages : Arabic (official), French, Berber
dialects, Spanish.
Religion : Muslim (mostly Sunni) 99%;
Christian 0.6%.
Literacy rate : 73.8%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
National name : al-Mamlaka al-Maghrebia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $309.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $8,144. Arable land : 17.79%. Principal
agricultural products : barley, wheat, citrus fruits,
vegetables. Labour force in agriculture 39.1%; in
industry 20.3%. Major products : textiles, fish,
chemicals. Natural resources : phosphates,
manganese, lead, fisheries. Exports : phosphates,
citrus fruits, canned fruits and vegetables; canned
fish, carpets. Imports : industrial capital goods,
fuels, foodstuffs, iron and steel. Major trading
partners : E.U., C.I.S. countries, Japan, U.S., India,
Iraq.
MOZAMBIQUE
Republic of Mozambique
Location : South-east Africa. Mozambique has
a coastline on the Indian Ocean. Tanzania, Malawi
and Zambia are located to its north, Zimbabwe,
Swaziland and South Africa to its south-west.
Area : 799,380 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 31,693,239.
Capital : Maputo.
Largest cities : Maputo, Beira, Nampula.
Principal rivers : Limpopo, Zambezi,
Shire
Highest point : Mount Bingo, 2,436 m (7,992 ft).
Flag : Horizontally green, black and yellow
with the black fimbriated in white; a red triangle
based on the hoist, charged with a yellow star
surmounted by an open white book and a crossed
rifle and hoe in black.
Monetary unit : Metical.
Languages : Portuguese (official); Bantu
languages.
Religion : Catholic 28.4%; Muslim 17.9%;
Zionist Christian 15.5%; Protestants 12.2%; none
18.7%.
Literacy rate : 60.7%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de Mocambique.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $43.2 billion Per Capita GDP : $1,342.
Arable land : 6.5%. Principal agricultural products :
cotton, cashew nuts, sugar, tea, copra, wheat,
peanuts. Labour force in agriculture : 81%. Major
products : processed foods, petroleum products,
beverages, textiles, tobacco. Natural resources :
bauxite, coal, iron ore, fluorite, tantalite, timber.
Exports : cashew nuts, cotton, sugar, tea, shrimp,
copra, prawns, citrus, textiles. Imports : machinery
and electrical equipment, foodstuffs, cotton textiles,
vehicles, petroleum products, iron and steel. Major
trading partners : U.S., Western Europe, Japan,
C.I.S. countries.
MYANMAR (BURMA)
Republic of the Union of Myanmar
Location : Located in East Asia, Myanmar
has a coastline on the Bay of Bengal. Bangladesh
and India are to its west, China to its north and
Laos and Thailand to its east.
Area : 676,578 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 57,526,449.
Capital : Nay Pyi Taw.
Largest cities : Nay Pyi Taw, Mandalay,
Moulmein, Bassein, Pegu, Yangon (Rangoon)
Principal rivers : Irrawaddy, Sittang, Mekong.
Highest point : Hkakado Razi, 5,881 m
(19,296 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of yellow, green
and red with a five-pointed white star in the
middle.
Monetary unit : Kyat.
Language : Burmese; minority languages.
Religion : Buddhist 87.9%; Christian 6.2%;
Muslim 4.3%; Hindu 2%.
Literacy rate : 89.1%.
Type of Government : Presidential republic
dominated by the military.
National name : Pyidaunzu Thanmada Myama
Nainngandaw.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $238.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $4,345. Arable land : 16.9%. Principal
products : sugarcane, corn, rice, peanuts. Labour
force in industry : 7%. Major products : textiles,
footwear, processed agricultural products, wood
and wood products, refined petroleum. Natural
resources : timber, tin, antimony, zinc, copper,
precious stones, crude oil, natural gas.
Exports : rice, teak, oil seeds, metals, rubber,
gems. Imports : machinery, construction and
transportation equipment, manufactured goods.
Major trading partners : Japan, E.U., China,
South-east Asia. Before Afghanistan overtook it
in recent years, Myanmar was the world’s largest
illicit producer of opium poppy.
NAMIBIA
Republic of Namibia
Location : The country is located in SouthWest Africa. With a coastline on the Atlantic
Ocean, Angola is to the north, Botswana to the
east and South Africa to the south. The Caprivi
Strip, at the north-east corner, runs east between
Botswana and Angola and forms a small border
with Zambia. Walvis Bay, part of South Africa,
forms an enclave, about 650 km north of Cape
Province.
Area : 824,292 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,727,409.
Capital : Windhoek.
Principal river : Orange.
Highest point : Brandberg, 2,579 m (8,461 ft)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 101
Flag : Divided diagonally blue over green by
a red white-edged stripe, in the canton centre a
yellow sun of 12 rays.
Monetary unit : Namibian dollar.
Languages : Afrikaans, German, English
(official), several indigenous languages.
Religion : Christian 80%-90% (Lutheran at
least 50%); indigenous beliefs 10%-20%.
Literacy rate : 91.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republic of Namibia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $25.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $9,805. Arable land : 0.97%. Principal
agricultural products : corn, millet, sorghum,
livestock. Labour force in agriculture : 16.3%, in
industry : 22.4%. Major products : canned meat,
dairy products, tanned leather, textiles, clothing.
Natural resources : diamonds, copper, lead, zinc,
uranium, fish. Exports : diamonds, copper, lead,
zinc, beef, cattle, karakul pelts, marble, semi
precious stones, gold. Imports : construction
materials, fertiliser, grain, foodstuffs, petroleum
products, fuel. Major trading partners : South
Africa, France, Germany, Switzerland, U.S., Japan.
NAURU
Republic of Nauru
Location : West Pacific Ocean. Australia is
2,000 km to the south-west, with Banaba (Kiribati)
300 km to the east.
Area : 21 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 9,811.
Capital : Nauru.
Principal rivers : There are no rivers.
Highest point : On the central plateau
68 m.
Flag : Blue with a narrow horizontal gold stripe
across the centre. Beneath this near the hoist is a
white star of 12 points.
Monetary unit : Australian dollar.
Languages : Nauruan (official), English.
Religion : Protestant 60.4%, of which
Congregational 35.7%, Pentecostal 4.8%; Roman
Catholic 33%; none 5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Special relationship within the
Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $164.2 million. Per Capita
GDP : $15,103. Major industrial products;
phosphates. Natural resources : phosphates.
Exports : phosphates. Imports : foodstuffs, fuel,
machinery Major trading partners : Australia,
New Zealand, U.K., Japan.
NEPAL
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal
Location : Nepal is a landlocked country in
Central Asia. Located in the central Himalayas,
Tibet (Chinese autonomous region) is to the north
and India to the east and south.
Area : 147,181 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 30,666,598.
Capital : Kathmandu.
Largest cities : Kathmandu, Biratnagar,
Lalitpur.
Principal rivers : Karnali, Narayani, Kosi.
Highest point : Mt. Everest, 8,848 m
(29,028 ft).
Flag : Two triangular parts of red, with a blue
border all round, bearing symbols of the moon
and the sun in white.
Monetary unit : Nepalese rupee.
Languages : Nepali (official), Newari, Bhutia,
Maithili.
Religion : Hindu 81.3%; Buddhist 9%; Muslim
4.4%; Kirat (local traditional belief) 3%; Christian
1.4%; other 0.5%.
Literacy rate : 67.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $126.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $4,261. Arable land : 16%. Labour force
in agriculture : 75%. Principal agricultural
products : rice, maize, wheat, millet, jute,
sugarcane, oilseed, potatoes. Labour force in
industry : 7%. Major products : cigarettes, sugar,
lumber, jute, hydroelectric power, cement. Natural
resources : water, timber, hydroelectric potential.
Exports : clothing, carpets, leather goods.
Imports : petroleum products, fertiliser,
machinery. Major trading partners : India, Japan,
U.S., Europe.
NETHERLANDS, THE
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Location : Located in Western Europe, the
Netherlands has a coastline on the North Sea.
Germany is to its east and Belgium to its south.
Area : 41,543 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 17,400,824.
Capital : Amsterdam; seat of government : The
Hague.
Largest cities : Amsterdam, The Hague,
Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven.
Principal rivers : Rhine, Waal and Oude Rijn,
Maas.
Highest point : Vaalserberg, 321 m (1,053 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and blue.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Language : Dutch, Frisian (both official).
Religion : Roman Catholic 23.7%; Protestant
15.5% (Dutch Reformed 6.5%, Protestant Church
of The Netherlands 7%); Muslim 4.9%; none
40.1%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
democracy under a constitutional monarch.
National name : Koninkrijk der Nederlanden.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.1 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $63,767. Arable land : 25.08%. Principal
102 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
agricultural products : wheat, barley, sugar beets,
potatoes, meat and dairy products. Labour force
in industry : 18%. Major products : metal
fabrication, textiles, chemicals, petroleum,
electronic equipment. Exports : foodstuffs,
machinery, natural gas, chemicals, petroleum
products, textiles. Imports : machinery, crude
petroleum, chemicals, textiles, mineral ores. Major
trading partners : Germany, Belgium,
Luxembourg, France, U.K., U.S.
NEW ZEALAND
Location : Located in South-west Pacific Ocean,
New Zealand comprises two main islands, North
and South, with other small islands, including
especially Stewart Island off the south coast of
South Island. Australia is about 1,800 km to the
west.
Area : 267,710 sq. km (excluding dependencies).
Population (2022) : 5,053,004.
Capital : Wellington.
Largest cities : Wellington, Auckland,
Christchurch, Manakau, North Shore, Hamilton,
Napier, Dunedin.
Principal rivers : Waikato, Clutha, Waihou,
Raugitaiki, Mokau, Wanganui, Manawatu.
Highest point : Mount Cook, 3,754 m
(12,315 ft).
Flag : British Blue Ensign with four stars of the
Southern Cross in red, edged in white, in the fly.
Monetary unit : New Zealand dollar.
Languages : English, Maori.
Religion : Christian 44.3% (incl. Roman
Catholic 11.6%; Anglican 10.8%); none 38.5%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
democracy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $237.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $46,420. Arable land : 1.76%. Principal
products : wool, meat, dairy products, livestock.
Labour force in services 74%; in industry 19%.
Major products : processed foods, textiles,
machinery, transport equipment, wood and paper
products. Natural resources : forests, coal, gold,
tungsten, iron ore, asbestos. Exports : meat, dairy
products, wool. Imports : machinery, minerals,
chemicals, consumer goods. Major trading
partners: Australia, Japan, U.S., E.U., China, South
Korea, Taiwan.
NICARAGUA
Republic of Nicaragua
Location : Central America. The Caribbean
Sea is to the east and Pacific Ocean to the west,
with Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to
the south.
Area : 130,370 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 6,301,880.
Capital : Managua.
Largest cities : Managua, Leon, Granada.
Principal rivers : Coco, Rio Grande, San Juan,
Escondido.
Highest point : Pico Mogoton, 2,107 m (9,913
ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of blue, white
and blue, with the national arms in the centre.
Monetary unit : Cordoba.
Language : Spanish, indigenous languages.
Religion : Roman Catholic 50%; Evangelical
33.2%.
Literacy rate : 82.6%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de Nicaragua.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $42.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $6,332. Arable land : 14.57%. Principal
agricultural products : cotton, coffee, sugarcane,
rice, corn, beans, cattle. Labour force in industry :
19%. Major products : processed foods, chemicals,
metal products, clothing and textiles. Natural
resources: timber, fisheries, gold, silver, copper,
tungsten, lead, zinc. Exports : coffee, cotton,
chemical products, meat, sugar. Imports :
machinery, chemicals and pharmaceuticals,
transport equipment, clothing, petroleum. Major
trading partners : Latin America, U.S., C.I.S.
countries, Eastern European countries.
NIGER
Republic of Niger
Location : North Central Africa. Algeria and
Libya are located to the north of Niger, Chad to
its east, Nigeria and Benin to its south, and
Burkina Faso and Mali to its west. There is an
outlet to the sea via the Niger river.
Area : 1,267,000 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 24,484,587.
Capital : Niamey.
Largest cities : Niamey, Zinder, Maradi.
Principal rivers : Niger, Dillia.
Highest point : Mont Greboun, 2,022 m
(6,634 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of orange, white
and green, with an orange disc in the middle of
the white stripe.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Ethnic groups : Hausa 54%; Djerma and
Sonrai 23%; Fulani 10%.
Languages : French (official), Hausa, Sonrai,
Arabic.
Religion : Sunni Muslim 80%; other (including
indigenous beliefs, Christian) 20%.
Literacy rate : 35.1%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique du Niger.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $32.9 billion. Per Capita GDP : $1,310.
Arable land : 11.79%. Labour force : in agriculture :
90%. Principal products : peanuts, cotton, livestock,
millet, sorghum, bananas, rice. Major industrial
products : uranium, cement, bricks, light industrial
products. Natural resources : uranium, coal, iron
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 103
ore, tin, phosphate. Exports : uranium, peanuts,
livestock, hides, skins. Imports : fuels, machinery,
transport equipment, foodstuffs, consumer goods.
Major trading partners : France, Nigeria, Algeria,
U.S, Italy, Germany, Cote d’Ivoire.
NIGERIA
Federal Republic of Nigeria
Location : West Africa. Nigeria has a southfacing coastline on the Atlantic Ocean in the Gulf
of Guinea; Benin is located to its west, Niger to
its north and Chad and Cameroon to its east.
Area : 923,768 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 225,082,083.
Capital : Abuja.
Largest cities : Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan,
Ogbomosho, Kano.
Principal rivers : Niger, Benue, Cross River,
Yobe, Osse.
Highest point : Vogel Peak (Dimlany),
2,042 m (6,700 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of green, white
and green.
Monetary unit : Naira.
Languages : English (official), Hausa, Yoruba,
Ibo.
Religions : Muslim 50%, Christian 40%,
indigenous beliefs 10%.
Literacy rate : 62.0%.
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
Membership of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.2 trillion. Per capita
GDP : $5,459. Arable land : 38.97%. Principal
agricultural products : peanuts, cotton, cocoa,
grains, fish, yams, cassava, livestock. Labour force
in agriculture 70%; in industry 10%. Major
products : crude oil, natural gas, coal, tin,
processed rubber, cotton, petroleum, wood, hides,
textiles, cement, footwear, chemicals. Natural
resources : petroleum, tin, columbite, iron ore,
coal, limestone. Exports : oil, cocoa, palm
products, rubber, tin. Imports : machinery and
transport equipment, manufactured goods,
chemicals. Major trading partners : Western
European countries, U.S., Japan.
NORTH MACEDONIA
Republic of Macedonia
Location : A landlocked country in south
eastern Europe. Bulgaria on east, Greece on south,
Albania on west, Serbia on north.
Area : 25,713 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,130,936.
Capital : Skopje.
Largest cities : Skopje, Bitola, Kumanovo,
Prilep, Tetovo, Titov Veles, Ohrid, Sitip.
Principal rivers : Vardar, Strumica.
Highest point : Korab, 2,753 m (9,032 ft).
Flag : A red field with a gold sun composed
of a disc and 16 rays in the centre.
Monetary unit : Denar.
Languages : Macedonian, Albanian (both
official), Turkish.
Religion : Serbian (Macedonian) Orthodox
64.8%; Sunni Muslim 33.3%; other 2%.
Literacy rate : 97.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republika Makedonija.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $37.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $17,918. Agriculture is the mainstay of the
economy. Major agricultural products : rice,
tobacco, wheat, corn, millet, cotton, citrus fruits,
vegetables. Major industrial products : low steel
technology, textiles, wood products, tobacco.
Major trading partners : Germany, Albania,
Bulgaria, Serbia, Russia, Slovenia and Croatia.
NORWAY
Kingdom of Norway
Location : Located in North-west Europe,
Norway has a long coastline on the North Sea,
Norwegian Sea and Arctic Ocean. Sweden is to its
east and there are borders with Finland and Russia
in the north-east. The Svalbard archipelago is to
the north in the Arctic Ocean and Jan Mayen Island
is between Svalbard and Iceland.
Area : 323,802 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,553,840.
Capital : Oslo.
Largest cities : Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim,
Stavanger, Kristiansand, Drammen, Tromso.
Principal rivers : Glomma (Glama), Lagen,
Tanaelv.
Highest point : Galdhopiggen, 2,469 m
(8,098 ft).
Flag : Red with blue white-bordered
Scandinavian cross edged with white.
Monetary unit : Norwegian Krone.
Language : Norwegian.
Religion : Church of Norway 71.5%, other
Christian 3.9%, Muslim 2.8%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Hereditary
Constitutional Monarchy.
National name : Kongeriket Norge.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $428.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $79,201. Arable land : 2.52%. Principal
agricultural products : dairy products, livestock,
grain, potatoes, furs, wool. Labour force : services
77.6%; industry 20.2%. Major products : oil and
gas, fish, pulp and paper, ships, aluminium, iron,
steel, nickel, fertilisers, transportation equipment,
hydroelectric power, petrochemicals, electronic
equipment. Natural resources : fish, timber,
hydroelectric power, ores, oil, gas. Exports : oil,
natural gas, ships, fish products, chemicals, pulp
and paper, aluminium. Imports : machinery, fuels
and lubricants, transportation equipment,
chemicals, motor vehicles, foodstuffs, iron and
steel, textiles and clothing. Major trading
104 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
partners : U.K., Sweden, Germany, U.S.,
Denmark, the Netherlands, Japan.
OMAN
Sultanate of Oman
Location : Middle East. Oman is located at
the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula, with a
coastline to the south-east on the Arabian Sea
and to the north-east on the Gulf of Oman. Saudi
Arabia and United Arab Emirates are to its northwest and South Yemen to its south-west. The
territory includes the offshore Kuria, Muria and
Masirah islands.
Area : 309,500 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 3,764,348.
Capital : Muscat.
Principal rivers : There are no significant rivers.
Highest point : Jabal ash Sham, 3,170 m
(10,400 ft).
Flag : Red, with a white panel in the upper fly
and a green one in the lower fly. In the canton
is the national emblem in white.
Monetary unit : Omani rial.
Language : Arabic (official); also English and
Indian languages.
Religion : Muslim 85.9%, of which Ibadiyah
Muslim 75% (principal minorities are Sunni
Muslim and Shi’a Muslim); Hindu 5.5%; Christian
6.5%; Buddhist 0.8%; other 1.2%.
Literacy rate : 95.7%.
Type of Government : Absolute monarchy
National name : Saltanat’ Uman.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $158.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $31,118. Principal agricultural products :
dates, cereals, livestock, bananas. Labour force :
NA. Major industries : petroleum drilling, fishing,
construction. Natural resources : oil, marble,
copper, limestone, chromium, manganese, iron.
Exports : oil. Imports : machinery and transport
equipment, food, lubricants, mineral fuels. Major
trading partners : U.K., U.S., Germany, Japan,
UAE, South Korea, Singapore.
PAKISTAN
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Location : South-west Asia. Pakistan has a
coastline on the Arabian Sea to the south. Iran is
located to its west, Afghanistan to its north-west,
China to its north-east and India to the east.
Area : 796,095 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 242,923,845.
Capital : Islamabad.
Largest cities : Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore,
Faisalabad (Lyallpur), Rawalpindi, Hyderabad,
Multan, Gujranwala, Peshawar, Sialkot.
Principal rivers : Indus, Sutlej, Chenab, Ravi,
Jhelum.
Highest point : K2 (Mount Godwin Austin),
8,607 m (28,238 ft).
Flag : Green charged at the centre, with a
white crescent and white five-pointed star. A white
vertical stripe at the mast to one-quarter of the
flag.
Monetary unit : Pakistan rupee.
Principal languages : Urdu (official), English
(official), Punjabi, Sindhi, Pashtu and Baluchi.
Religions : Muslim 96.4% (Sunni 85-90%, Shia
10-15%), others (including Christian and Hindu)
3.6%.
Literacy rate : 58.0%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
democracy in a federal setting.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
National name : Islami Jamhuriya e Pakistan.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $1.3 trillion. Per Capita GDP : $5,878.
Arable land : 26.02%. Principal agricultural products:
wheat, rice, cotton. Labour force in agriculture,
45.1%; in industry 20.7%. Major products : cotton
textiles, processed foods, petroleum products,
construction material. Natural resources : natural
gas, limited petroleum, iron ore. Exports : cotton,
rice, carpets, textiles, clothings. Imports :
foodgrains, edible oil, crude oil, machinery,
chemicals, transport equipment. Major trading
partners : U.S., E.U., Japan, China.
PALAU
Republic of Palau
Location : The Palau islands chain consists of
about 200 islands located in the western Pacific
Ocean 650 km southeast of Philippines, only eight
of them are permanently inhabited.
Area : 459 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 21,695.
Capital : Melekeok.
Largest cities : Melekeok, Koror
Coast line : 1519 km.
Monetary Unity : US dollar.
Language : Palauan, English.
Religion : Roman Catholic 45.3%; Protestant
34.9% (incl Evangelical 26.4%); Modekngei
(marginal Christian sect) 5.7%; Muslim 3%.
Literacy rate : 96.6%.
Type of Government : Republic in free
association with the US.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $295.2 million. Per Capita
GDP : $16,319. Chief Crops : Coconuts, copra,
cassave, sweet potatoes; Minerals : Gold. Exports :
Trochus, tuna, copra and handicrafts. Imports :
Machinery and equipment fuels. Major trading
partners : USA and Japan.
PANAMA
Republic of Panama
Location : Central America. Panama is located
at the southern end of the Central American isthmus.
The land runs from west to east with the Caribbean
Sea to the north and Pacific Ocean to the south.
Costa Rica is located to the north-west and Colombia
to the east and south.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 105
Area : 75,420 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 4,337,768.
Capital : Panama City.
Largest cities : Panama City, San Miguelito,
Colon, David.
Principal rivers : Tuira (with Chucunaque)
Bayano, Santa Maria.
Highest point : Baru, 3,475 m (11,467 ft).
Flag : There are four quarters. The first is a
white panel with a blue star, second red, third
blue and fourth white with a red star.
Monetary unit : Balboa.
Languages : Spanish (official); many bilingual
in English.
Religions : Roman Catholic 85%; Protestant
15%.
Literacy rate : 95.7%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica de Panama.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $138.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $31,680. Arable land : 7.16%. Principal
agricultural products : bananas, corn, sugar, rice,
cattle. Labour force in industry : 18.6%; in services,
64.4%. Major industrial products : refined
petroleum, sugar, cement, paper products. Natural
resources : copper, mahogany, shrimp. Exports :
bananas, refined petroleum, sugar, clothing,
shrimp. Imports : petroleum, chemicals,
machinery and transport equipment, capital goods,
food. Major trading partners : U.S., Central
America and the Caribbean, Western European
countries, Mexico.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
Independent State of Papua
New Guinea
Location : Located in West Pacific Ocean,
Papua New Guinea, includes the eastern side of
the island of New Guinea, the Bismarck
archipelago (New Britain, New Ireland and
Admiralty Islands), Northern Solomon Islands
(including Bougainville and Buka), islands at the
eastern tip of New Guinea (D’entre Casteaux,
Trobriand, Woodlark islands and Louisiade
archipelago) and about 600 smaller islands. West
Irian (Indonesia) is to the west, comprising the
western part of the island of New Guinea,
Australia to the south and Solomon Islands to
the east.
Area : 462,840 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 9,593,498.
Capital : Port Moresby.
Largest cities : Port Moresby, Lae, Madang,
Wawek.
Principal rivers : Fly (with Strikland), Sepik.
Highest point : Mount Wilhelm, 4,509 m
(14,493 ft).
Flag : Diagonally ochre-red over black. On
the red portion is a bird of paradise in gold and
on the black five stars of the Southern Cross in
white.
Monetary unit : Kina.
Languages : English, Melanesian pidgin, Hiri
Motu, and 820 distinct native languages.
Religions : Protestant 69.4% (Evangelical
Lutheran 19.5%, United Church 11.5%, SeventhDay Adventist 10%); Roman Catholic 27%.
Literacy rate : 64.2%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $40.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $4,445. Principal agricultural products :
coffee, copra, palm oil, cocoa, tea, coconuts, cattle.
Labour force : agricultural activities, including
fishing 85%. Major industrial products : clothing,
light fabricated metal products, furniture. Natural
resources : copper, gold, silver, timber, natural gas.
Exports : gold, copper, coffee and cocoa, copra,
lobster, timber. Imports : machinery, transport
equipment, fuels, chemicals. Major trading
partners : Australia, U.K., Japan, Germany,
Singapore, Spain, New Zealand, U.S.
PARAGUAY
Republic of Paraguay
Location : Central South America. Brazil is to
the north and east, Argentina to the south and
Bolivia to the north and west. Paraguay is a
landlocked country but has a river access to the
Atlantic (River Plate).
Area : 406,752 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 7,356,409.
Capital : Asuncion.
Largest cities : Asuncion, San Horenzo
(part of Ascuncion agglomeration), Cindad del
Cste, Pedro Juan Caballero, Concepcion,
Encarnacion.
Principal rivers : Paraguay, Parana, Pilcomayo.
Highest point : Cerro Tatug, 700 m (2,297 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and blue. The white stripe is charged with the
arms of the Republic on the obverse and, on the
reverse, with a lion and the inscription Pazy Justicia.
This is the only flag in the world with different
obverse and reverse.
Monetary unit : Guarani.
Languages : Spanish, Guarani (both official).
Religion : Roman Catholic 89.6%; Protestant
6.2%; other 3%.
Literacy rate : 94.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica del Paraguay.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $100.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $13,976. Arable land : 9.59%. Principal
agricultural products : soyabeans, cotton, cassava,
sweet potatoes, tobacco, corn, rice, sugarcane.
Labour force in agriculture 26.5%, in industry :
18.5%. Major products : packed meats, crushed
oilseeds, beverages, textiles, light consumer goods,
cement. Natural resources : iron ore, timber,
106 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
manganese, limestone. Exports : soyabean,
oilseeds, meat products, tobacco timber, coffee,
tung oil, vegetable oils. Imports : fuels and
lubricants, machinery and motors, motor vehicles,
beverages, tobacco, foodstuffs. Major trading
partners : Argentina, Brazil, U.S., E.U., Japan.
PERU
Republic of Peru
Location : Peru is located west of South
America. It has a coastline on the Pacific Ocean.
Ecuador and Colombia are to its north, Brazil
and Bolivia to its east and Chile to its south.
Area : 1,285,216 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 32,275,736.
Capital : Lima.
Largest cities : Lima, Arequipa, Callao,
Trujillo, Chiclayo.
Principal rivers : Amazon, Ucayali, Napo,
Maronan.
Highest point : Huascaran, 6,768 m
(22,205 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of red, white and
red, with the national arms in the centre.
Monetary unit : Nuevo Sol.
Languages : Spanish, Quechua, Aymara and
other native languages.
Religion : Roman Catholic 81.3%, Evangelical
12.5%; other/unspecified 6.4%
Literacy rate : 94.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica del Peru.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $463.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $13,895. Arable land : 2.8%. Principal
agricultural products : wheat, rice, beans, corn,
cotton, coffee, wool. Labour force in industry :
17.4%. Major products : processed minerals, fish
meal, refined petroleum, textiles. Natural resources
: silver, gold, iron, copper, fish, petroleum, timber.
Exports : copper, fish products, cotton, sugar,
coffee, lead, silver, zinc. Imports : machinery,
foodstuffs, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, transport
equipment. Major trading partners : U.S., Japan,
Western European and Latin American countries.
PHILIPPINES
Republic of the Philippines
Location : Located in the Western Pacific
Ocean, Philippines is a chain of some 7,100 islands
to the north-east of Borneo and north of the
Celebes and Moluccas (Indonesia). The main
islands are Luzon and Mindanao.
Area : 300,000 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 114,597,229.
Capital : Manila.
Largest cities : Manila, Quezon City, Davao,
Cebu, Caloocan City, Zamboanga City, Pasay City,
Bacolod City.
Principal rivers : Cagayan, Pampanga, Abra,
Agusan, Magat, Agro.
Highest point : Mount Apo, 2,954 m
(9,692 ft).
Flag : Horizontally blue over red, with a white
triangle based on the hoist bearing a gold sun of
eight rays and three gold stars.
Monetary unit : Peso.
Languages : Filipino (based on Tagalog),
English, Cebuano, Ilocano, Tagalog, others.
Religion : Roman Catholic 82.9%; Protestant
6.6%; Muslim 5%; indigenous Christian 4.5%;
other Christian 0.7%; traditional beliefs 0.2%;
other/unknown 2.1%.
Literacy rate : 96.3%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republika ng Pilipinas.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2021) : $1.0 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $9,120. Arable land : 18%. Principal
products : rice, corn, coconuts, sugarcane, bananas,
tobacco. Labour force : in agriculture, 32%; in
industry 15%. Major products : processed
agricultural products, textiles, chemicals and
chemical products. Natural resources : forests,
metallic and non-metallic minerals. Exports :
electronic equipment, coconut products, fish
products, cotton, coffee, lead, zinc, oil, sugar, logs
and lumber, copper concentrates, bananas,
garments, nickel. Imports : machinery, foodstuffs,
chemicals, pharmaceuticals, transport equipment.
Major trading partners : U.S., Japan, Western
European and Latin American Countries.
POLAND
Republic of Poland
Location : Located in Eastern Europe, Poland
has a northern coastline on the Baltic Sea. Russia
is to north, Lithuania, Belarus and Ukraine are to
its east, Czech Republic to its south and Germany
to the west.
Area : 312,685 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 38,093,101.
Capital : Warsaw.
Largest cities : Warsaw, Lodz, Krakow,
Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Szczecin, Katowice,
Bydgoszcz, Lublin, Bialystok, Sosnowiec,
Czestochowa, Gdynia.
Principal rivers : Vistula (Wasa), Oder (Odra),
Narew.
Highest point : Rysy, 2,499 m (8,199 ft).
Flag : Horizontally white over red, with the
arms of Poland on the white stripe.
Monetary unit : Zloty.
Language : Polish.
Religion : Roman Catholic 87.2%; Ukrainian
Catholic 1.4%; Polish Orthodox 1.4%; Protestant
0.4%; Jehovah’s Witnesses 0.5%; other (mostly
nonreligious) 5.5%.
Literacy rate : 99.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Rzeczpospolita Polska.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.4 trillion. Per Capita
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 107
GDP : $37,503. Arable land : 35.49%. Principal
agricultural products : rye, rapeseed, grains, sugar
beets, potatoes, hogs and other livestock. Labour
force in agriculture 12.9%; in industry and
commerce 30.2%. Major products : iron and steel,
chemicals, textiles, processed foods, transport
equipment. Natural resources : coal, sulphur,
copper, natural gas. Exports : coal, machinery and
equipment, chemicals, industrial products.
Imports : machinery and equipment, chemicals,
fuels, raw materials, food products. Major trading
partners : Germany, Italy, U.K. Switzerland,
Austria.
PORTUGAL
Portuguese Republic
Location : Located in South-west Europe,
Portugal forms the western edge of the Iberian
Peninsula, with a coastline on the Atlantic Ocean.
Spain is located to its east and north. The Azores
and Madeira Islands in the Atlantic Ocean form
part of the territory.
Area : 92,090 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 10,242,081.
Capital : Lisbon.
Largest cities : Lisbon, Opporto, Amadora
(part of Lisbon agglomeration), Setubal, Coimbra,
Braga, Vila Novade Gaia, Funchal.
Principal rivers : Tagus (Rio Tejo), Doura,
Guadiana.
Highest point : Pico, 2,315 m (7,313 ft) in
the Azores. Malhao de Estrela, 1,993 m (6,537 ft)
is the highest on the mainland.
Flag : Vertical green and red, with the red of
double width, and overall on the dividing line the
national arms.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Language : Portuguese, Mirandese.
Religion : Christian 92.4%, of which Roman
Catholic 81%, independent Christian 2.7%,
Protestant 1.3%, other Christian 1.0%;
nonreligious/atheist 6.8%; Buddhist 0.6%; other
0.5%.
Literacy rate : 96.1%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica Portuguesa.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $369.6 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $35,888. Arable land : 11.8%. Principal
agriculture products : grains, potatoes, olives, wine
grapes. Labour force in services 59.8%; in
agriculture 11.7%; in industry 28.5%. Major
products : textiles, footwear, wood pulp, paper,
cork, metal products, refined oil, chemicals, canned
fish, wine. Natural resources : fish, cork, tungsten,
iron ore. Exports : cotton textiles, cork and cork
products, canned fish, wine, timber and timber
products, resin, machinery, appliances. Imports :
machinery and transport equipment, petroleum,
industrial machinery, agricultural, products, iron
and steel, chemicals. Major trading partners :
Western European countries, U.S.
QATAR
State of Qatar
Location : Located in West Asia, Qatar
occupies mainly the Qatar Peninsula, which
projects from the west coast of the Gulf, together
with some offshore islands. Saudi Arabia is to the
west, United Arab Emirates to the south-east.
Bahrain is off the coast about 60 km to the northwest.
Area : 11,586 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,508,182.
Capital : Doha.
Largest cities : Doha, al-Rayyan and al-Wakra
(part of the Doha agglomeration).
Principal rivers : There are no rivers.
Highest point : In the Dukhan Heights, 73 m
(240 ft).
Flag : Maroon, with white serrated border on
hoist.
Monetary unit : Qatari riyal.
Language : Arabic; English is also widely
spoken.
Religion : Muslim (mostly Sunni) 67.7%;
Christian 13,8%; Hindu 13.8%; Buddhist 3.1%.
Literacy rate : 93.5%.
Type of Government : Traditional
monarchy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $274.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $93,521. Major industrial product : oil.
Natural resources : oil, gas. Exports : petroleum
products, steel, fertilisers. Imports : machinery
and equipment, consumer goods, chemicals.
Major trading partners : France, U.K., U.S.,
Japan, Germany, Brazil, South Korea, UAE.
ROMANIA
Location : Located in south eastern Europe,
on the Black Sea. Moldova to the east, Ukraine
on north, Hungary and Serbia to the west, Bulgaria
to the south.
Area : 238,391 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 18,519,899.
Capital : Bucharest.
Largest cities : Bucharest, Brasov, Timisoara,
Constanta, Cluj-Napoca, Galati.
Principal rivers : Danube (Dunaria), Mures,
Prut.
Highest point : Moldoveanu, 2,544 m
(8,346 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of blue, yellow
and red.
Monetary unit : New Leu.
Languages : Romanian (official), Hungarian,
Romany.
Religions : Eastern Orthodox 81.9%;
Protestant 6.4%; Roman Catholic 4.3%, other
6.3%.
Literacy rate : 98.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $676.9 billion. Per Capita
108 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
GDP : $35,414. Arable land : 37.7%. Principal
products: corn, wheat, livestock, sunflowers,
potatoes. Labour force : industry, 21.1%;
agriculture, 31.6%. Major products : steel, cement,
metal production and processing, chemicals,
petroleum. Natural resources : oil, timber, natural
gas, coal. Exports : machinery, metals, chemicals,
timber, furniture, textiles, foodstuffs. Imports :
machinery, fuel, consumer goods, minerals. Major
trading partners : Germany, U.S., U.K., Italy,
Russia, France.
RUSSIA
Russian Federation
Location : The Russian Federation occupies
76 percent of the total area of the former Soviet
Union and is the largest republic of the
Commonwealth of Independent States. It is about
one and four-fifths of the land area of the United
States and occupies most of the eastern Europe
and north Asia. Russia stretches from the Baltic
Sea in the West and to the Pacific Ocean in the
east and from the Arctic Ocean in the north to
Baltic Sea and the Caucasus, the Altai and Sayan
Mountains, and the Amur and Ussuri Rivers in
the south. It is bordered by Norway and Finland
in the northwest, Estonia, Latvia, Belarus and
Ukraine in the west, Georgia and Azerbaijan in
the southwest, and Kazakhstan, Mongolia and
China and North Korea along the southern
border.
Area : 17,098,242 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 142,021,981.
Capital : Moscow.
Largest cities : Moscow, St. Petersburg
(formerly Leningrad), Chelyabinsk, Nizhni
Novgorod (formerly Gorky), Novosibirsk, Samara
(formerly Kuybyshev), Rostov-na-Daru, Volgograd
(Stalingrad), Krasnoyarsk, Vladivostok, Irkutsk,
Yaroslavi, Krasknodar, Khabarovsk, Barnul, Novo
Kuznetsk, Yekaterinburg (formerly Sverdlovsk),
Kazan, Omsk.
Principal rivers : Yenisey, Ob (with Irytsh),
Amur (with Argun), Lena, Volga, Angara, Dvina,
Pechora, Kama.
Highest point : Elbrus (on the Georgian
border), 5,642 m (18,510 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of white, blue
and red.
Monetary unit : Ruble.
Language : Russian, many minority languages.
Religions : Russian Orthodox 15%-20%,
Muslim 10%-15%, other Christian 2%.
Literacy rate : 99.7%.
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
National name : Rossiiskaya Federatsiya.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $4.8 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $32,803. Russia is a highly industrialisedagrarian republic. Its vast mineral resources
include oil and natural gas, coal, iron, zinc, lead,
nickel, aluminium, molybdenum, gold, platinum,
etc. Russia has the world’s largest oil and natural
gas reserves. Labour force in industry : 27.8%.
Exports : Petroleum and petroleum products,
natural gas, wood and wood products, coal,
non-ferrous metals, chemicals. Imports :
Machinery and equipment, chemicals, consumer
goods, semi finished metal products. Major
trading partners : Europe, North America,
Japan, many developing countries, Cuba.
RWANDA
Republic of Rwanda
Location : Central Africa. Rwanda is a
landlocked country. Uganda is to its north,
Tanzania to its east, Burundi to its south and
Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire)
to its west.
Area : 26,338 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 13,173,730.
Capital : Kigali.
Largest cities : Kigali, Ruhengeri, Butare.
Principal river : Luvironza.
Highest point : Karimsimbi, 4,507 m
(14,487 ft).
Flag : Three equal vertical panels of red, yellow
and green (left to right), the letter ‘R’ in black
superimposed on the centre panel.
Monetary unit : Rwanda Franc.
Languages : Kinyarwanda, French and English
(all official).
Religion : Protestant 49.5%; Roman
Catholic43.7%;. Muslim 2%.
Literacy rate : 73.2%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Repubulika y’u Rwanda.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $33.1 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,494. Arable land : 46.32%. Principal
products : coffee, tea, bananas, yams, beans.
Labour force in agriculture, 90%; in industry and
services 10%. Major products : processed foods,
light consumer goods, minerals. Natural
resources : gold, cassiterite, wolfram. Exports :
coffee, tea, tungsten, tin. Imports : textiles,
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment. Major
trading partners : Belgium, Germany, Kenya,
Japan, France, U.S., U.K., Italy.
SAINT KITTS AND NEVIS
Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis
Location : Eastern Caribbean Sea. Part of the
Leeward Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis are separated
by a 3-km channel, with Antigua to the east and
St. Maarten (Netherlands Antilles) to the north.
Area : 261 sq. km (St. Kitts, 161 sq. km; Nevis,
100 sq. km).
Population (2022) : 54,488.
Capital : Basseterre (on St. Kitts).
Largest cities : Basseterre, Charlestown.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 109
Highest point : Nevis Peak, 985 m (3,232 ft).
Flag : Diagonally green, black and red, with
the black fimbriated in yellow and charged with
two white stars.
Monetary unit : East Caribbean dollar.
Religion : Protestant 84.6%, of which Anglican
25.2%, Methodist 25.2%, Pentecostal 8.4%,
Moravian 7.6%; Roman Catholic 6.7%; Hindu
1.5%; other 7.2%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $26,256. Arable land : 19.23%. Principal
agricultural products : sugar, cotton. Major
industries : tourism, sugar processing, salt
extraction. Exports : sugar, molasses, postage
stamps. Imports : foodstuffs, manufactured
goods, machinery, fuels. Major trading partners :
U.S., U.K., Japan, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada.
SAMOA
Independent State of Samoa
Location : South Central Pacific Ocean.
Western Samoa comprises nine islands in the
Samoan group, with New Zealand about 2,900
km to the south-west and Hawaii about 3,700 km
to the north-east.
Area : 2,831 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 206,179.
Capital : Apia.
Principal rivers : There are no significant rivers
Highest point : Mauga Silisli, 1,857 m
(6,094 ft).
Flag : Red with a blue quarter bearing five
white stars of the Southern Cross.
Monetary unit : Tala.
Languages : Samoan and English.
Religions : Protestant 52.6% (incl.
Congregationist 29%; Methodist 12.4%), Roman
Catholic 18.8%; Mormon 16.9%.
Literacy rate : 99.1%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy.
National name : Malotuto’atasi o Samoa i
Sisifo.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $6,420. Arable land : 2.8%. Principal
agricultural products : copra, coconut, cocoa,
bananas, timber. Major industrial products :
timber, processed food, fish. Natural resources :
timber. Exports : copra, cocoa, coconut oil and
cream, timber. Imports : food, manufactured
goods, machinery. Major trading partners :
New Zealand, E.U., Australia, Japan, U.S., Fiji,
Japan.
SAN MARINO
Republic of San Marino
Location : A landlocked country, San Marino
is located in Central Italy. It is located 23 km
inland from Rimini, on the Adriatic Sea and is
completely enclosed by Italy.
Area : 61 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 34,682.
Capital : San Marino.
Largest cities : San Marino, Seravalle, Borgo
Maggiore (part of San Marino city).
Principal rivers : There are no significant rivers.
Highest point : Monte Titano, 739 m
(2,424 ft).
Flag : Horizontally white over light blue, with
the national arms overall in the centre.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Language : Italian.
Religion : Roman Catholic 88.7%; Pentecostal
1.8%; other 9.5%.
Literacy rate : 99.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica di San Marino.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $2.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $59,572. Arable land : 16.67%. Principal
agricultural products : wheat and other grains,
grapes, olive, cheese. Labour force in industry
33.5%. Major industrial products : textiles, paper,
leather, wine, olive oil. Exports : building stone,
lime, chestnuts, wheat, hides, baked goods.
Imports : manufactured consumer goods. Major
trading partner : Italy.
SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE
Democratic Republic of Sao Tome
and Principe
Location : West Africa. The archipelago,
consisting of the main islands of Sao Tome and
of Principe, lies in the Gulf of Guinea, 200 km
west of the coast of Gabon.
Area : 964 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 217,164.
Capital : Sao Tome.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : Pico Gago Coutinho (Pico
de Sao Tome), 2,024 (6,640 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of green, yellow
and green, with the yellow of double width and
bearing two black stars. In the hoist is a red
triangle overall.
Monetary unit : Dobra.
Language : Portuguese.
Religions : Roman Catholic 55.7%; Adventist
4.1%; Assembly of God 3.4%; New Apostolic
2.9%; none 21.2%.
Literacy rate : 92.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $993.1 million. Per Capita
110 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
GDP : $4,446. Arable land : 9.06%. Principal
agricultural products : cocoa, copra, coconuts,
palm oil, coffee, bananas. Major industrial products
: timber, copra. Exports : cocoa, coffee, copra,
palm oil. Imports : foodstuffs, textiles, machinery,
electrical equipment, fuels, lubricants. Major
trading partners : The Netherlands, Portugal,
Germany, China.
SAUDI ARABIA
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Location : Located in West Asia, Saudi Arabia
occupies the main centre of the Arabian peninsula,
with the Red Sea to the west and the Gulf to the
east. Jordan, Iraq and Kuwait are to the north,
Bahrain, Qatar and United Arab Emirates and
Oman to the east and Yemen to the south.
Area : 2,149,690 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 35,354,380.
Capital : Riyadh.
Largest cities : Riyadh, Jeddah, Makka
(Mecca), Damman, Medina, Taif, Buraida, Abha.
Principal rivers : There are no permanent
streams.
Highest point : Jebel Razikh, 3,658 m
(12,002 ft).
Flag : Green with the text ‘There is no God
but Allah and Mohammed is his prophet’ in white
Arabic script. Beneath there is a white sabre.
Monetary unit : Riyal.
Languages : Arabic, English widely spoken.
Religion : Sunni Muslim 85-90%; Shia Muslim
10-15%.
Literacy rate : 97.6%.
Type of Government : Monarchy with council
of ministers.
National name : Al-Mamlaka al-’Arabiya asSa’udiya.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.8 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $49,551. Arable land : 1.45%. Principal
agricultural products : wheat, dates, grains,
livestock. Labour force : about 45% are foreign
workers; in government service 71.9%; in industry
and oil 21.4%. Major industrial products :
petroleum, cement, plastic products, steel,
packaged goods. Natural resource : oil, natural gas,
iron ore. Exports : petroleum and petroleum
products, wheat. Imports : manufactured goods,
transport equipment, construction materials,
processed food. Major trading partners : U.S.,
Germany, U.K. and other Western European
countries, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan.
SENEGAL
Republic of Senegal
Location : West Africa. Senegal has a coastline
on the Atlantic Ocean. Mauritania is to its north,
Mali to its east and Guinea and Guinea-Bissau to
its south. Gambia forms an enclave within Senegal.
Area : 196,722 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 17,923,036.
Capital : Dakar.
Largest cities : Dakar, Thies, Kaolack,
Ziguinchor, St. Louis.
Principal rivers : Senegal, Gambia, Casamance
Highest point : Mont Gounou, 1,515 m
(4,970 ft).
Flag : Three vertical stripes of green, yellow
and red, with a green star in the centre.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Ethnic groups : Wolofs, Sereres, Peuls,
Tukulers and others.
Languages : French (official); Wolof, Serer,
other ethnic dialects.
Religions : Muslim 96.1%; Christian (mostly
Roman Catholic) 3.6%.
Literacy rate : 51.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique du Senegal.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $64.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $3,769. Arable land : 19.57%. Principal
products : peanuts, millet, corn, rice, sorghum.
Labour force in agriculture : 77.5%. Major
products : peanut oil, fertiliser, cement, processed
food and fish. Natural resources : fish, phosphate.
Exports : peanuts, phosphate rock, canned fish.
Imports : foodstuffs, consumer goods, machinery,
transport equipment. Major trading partners :
U.S., Western European countries, African
neighbours, Japan, China, India.
SERBIA
Republic of Serbia
Location : On Balkan Peninsula in south east
Europe. Its neighbours are : Croatia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina on west; Hungary on north; Romania
and Bulgaria on east; Montenegro, Albania &
Macedonia on the south.
Area : 77,474 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 6,739,471.
Capital : Belgrade.
Largest cities : Belgrade, Titograd, Novi Sad,
Nis, Kragujevac, Subotica.
Flag : Three equal horizontal stripes with blue
on top, white in the middle and red at the bottom.
Monetary unit : Dinar.
Language : Serbian (official); Hungarian.
Religion : Serbian Orthodox 84.6%; Muslim
3.1%; Roman Catholic 5%.
Literacy rate : 99.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Savezna Republika Jugoslavija
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $146.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $21,432. Arable land : 37.28%. Labour
force in industry 16.5%. Industries : machine
building (including tractors, lorries, passenger cars,
TV sets), artificial fertilisers, plastics, pig iron,
crude steel, steel casting, cement, etc. Principal
agricultural products : maize, sugar beet, wheat,
potatoes, grapes, plums, soyabeans. Minerals :
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 111
lignite, coal and copper ore, crude oil, natural gas.
Exports : manufactures and minerals (including
machinery, transport equipment, electrical goods,
iron and steel, textiles, leather goods, chemicals,
agricultural produce, foodstuffs, etc. Imports :
transport equipment, electrical goods, machinery,
agricultural produce, foodstuffs. Major trading
partners : Germany, Italy, Macedonia, Russian
Federation, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
SEYCHELLES
Republic of Seychelles
Location : Seychelles is a group of about 100
islands scattered in the Western Indian Ocean.
The main island, Mahe, is located 1,800 km east
of Mombasa (Kenya) and 1,090 km north of the
island of Madagascar.
Area : 455 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 97,017.
Capital : Victoria.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : Morne Seychellois, 906 m
(2,972 ft) on the island Mahe.
Flag : Blue triangle on left top followed by
yellow, red, white and green angular stripes.
Monetary unit : Seychelles Rupee
Languages : English and Creole (official);
French.
Religion : Roman Catholic 76.2%; Protestant
10.6%; Anglican 6.7%; Hindu 2.4%; Muslim 1.6%.
Literacy rate : 95.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $3.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $29,837. Arable land : 2.17%. Principal
agricultural products : vanilla, copra, cinnamon.
Labour force in industry 23%. Major industrial
products : processed copra and vanilla, coconut
oil. Exports : cinnamon, vanilla, copra. Imports :
food, tobacco, manufactured goods, machinery,
petroleum products, textiles, transport equipment.
Major trading partners : U.K., France, Japan,
India, South Africa.
SIERRA LEONE
Republic of Sierra Leone
Location : West Africa. Sierra Leone has a
coastline on the Atlantic Ocean. Guinea is located
to the north and Liberia to the south.
Area : 71,740 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 8,692,606.
Capital : Freetown.
Principal rivers : Siwa, Jong, Rokel.
Highest point : Bintimani Peak, 1,948 m
(6,390 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of green, white
and blue.
Monetary unit : Leone.
Languages : English (official), Mende, Temne,
Krio.
Religion : Muslim 78.6%; Christian 20.8%.
Literacy rate : 43.2%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $14.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $1,816. Arable land : 15.33%. Principal
agricultural products : coffee, cocoa, palm kernels,
rice. Labour force : agriculture : 65%; industry :
19%. Major industrial products : diamonds,
bauxite, beverages, cigarettes, rutile, construction
goods. Natural resources : diamonds, bauxite, iron
ore. Exports : diamonds, rutile iron ore, palm
kernels, cocoa, coffee. Imports : food, petroleum
products, chemicals, capital goods. Major trading
partners : U.K., U.S., Western European
countries, Japan, China, Nigeria.
SINGAPORE
Republic of Singapore
Location : Located in South-east Asia, the
island of Singapore is at the southern end of the
Malay peninsula, with Malaysia to the north,
separated by the Straits of Johore, about 1 km
wide. There is a causeway across these Straits
linking the island with the peninsula. The islands
which are part of Indonesia are several kilometres
to the south.
Area : 697 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,921,231.
Capital : Singapore.
Principal river : Sungei Seletar.
Highest point : Bukit Timah, 177 m (581 ft).
Flag : Horizontally red over white, charged in
the upper left canton with a crescent and a circle
of five stars, all in white.
Monetary unit : Singapore dollar.
Languages : Mandarin, English, Malay (all
official); Hokkien; Cantonese; Teochew; Tamil
(official).
Religion : Buddhist 33.2%; Christian 18.8%;
Muslim 14%; Taoist 10%, Hindu 5%; none 18.5%
Literacy rate : 97.1%
Type of Government : Republic
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $635.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $116,486. Arable land : 0.89%. Principal
agricultural products : poultry, rubber, copra,
vegetables, fruits. Labour force : agriculture 0.1%;
industry 19.6%; services 80.3%. Major industries :
petroleum refining, oil exploration, ship repair,
electronics and other light industry. Exports :
electrical machinery, electronics, rubber, computers
and computer peripherals, petroleum products.
Imports : aircraft, chemicals, foodstuff,
manufactured goods, petroleum, Major trading
partners : U.S., Japan, Malaysia, Hong Kong,
Japan, Thailand, Taiwan.
112 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
SLOVAKIA
Slovak Republic
Czechoslovakia Republic dissolved and the
Czech and Slovak Federal Republic came into existence
and became independent states on January 1, 1993.
Location : Slovakia is bounded in the northwest by the Czech Republic, north by Poland,
east by the Ukraine, south by Hungary and southwest by Austria.
Area : 49,035 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,431,252.
Capital : Bratislava.
Largest cities : Bratislava, Banska, Bystrica,
Zilina, Trnava, Kosice, Nitra, Presov, Martin.
Principal rivers : Danube, Vah, Hron.
Highest point : Gerlachovka, 2,655 m
(8,737 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of white, blue
and red, with the arms overall three-tenths of the
distance from the hoist.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Slovak (official), Hungarian.
Religion : Roman Catholic 62%; Protestant
8.2%; Greek Catholic 3.8%; other including
nonreligious 13.4%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Slovenska Republika.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $179.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $33,010. Important industries : iron and
non-ferrous mining, metal processing shipbuilding, consumer appliances and leather goods.
Labour force in industry 27%. Major agricultural
products : grains, potatoes, sugar beats, fruit,
vegetables, forestry. Exports : machinery and
transport equipment, chemicals, fuels, minerals,
metals, agricultural products. Imports : machinery,
transport equipment, fuels and lubricants, raw
materials, chemicals, agricultural products. Major
trading partners : Czech Republic, C.I.S.
republics, Germany, Poland, Austria, Hungary,
Italy, France, U.S., U.K., Switzerland.
SLOVENIA
Republic of Slovenia
Location : Slovenia is bounded in the north
by Austria, in the north-east by Hungary, in the
south-east by Croatia and in the west by Italy and
the Adriatic Sea. There is a small strip of coast
south of Trieste. It is largely a mountainous
republic and about half of the land is forested,
with hilly plains spread across the central and
eastern regions.
Area : 20,273 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 2,101,208.
Capital : Ljubljana.
Largest cities : Ljubljana, Maribor, Kranj,
Celje, Nova Gorica, Novo Meston.
Principal rivers : Drava, Sava, Mura.
Highest point : Triglav, 2,864 m (9,396 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of white, blue
and red, with the arms overall in the canton.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Slovenian, most can also speak
Serbo-Croatian.
Religion : Catholic 57.8%; Muslim 2.4%;
Orthodox 2.3%; none 10.1%.
Literacy rate : 99.7%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republika Slovenija.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $91.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $43,625. Agricultural products : corn, rye,
oats, potatoes, fruit, livestock raising forestry.
Manufactured products : automobiles, iron and
steel, cement, chemicals, textiles, furniture,
electrical machinery, pharmaceuticals, Mineral
resources : coal, oil, mercury. Exports : machinery,
transport equipment, chemicals. Imports :
chemicals, fuels and lubricants.
SOLOMON ISLANDS
Location : Located in south-west Pacific
Ocean, the country comprises 15 main islands
(including Guadalcanal, Santa Isabel, Malaita, San
Cristobal) and numerous small islands of the
Southern Solomons; Bougainville (Northern
Solomons, Papua New Guinea) is to the northwest and Vanuatu to the south-east.
Area : 28,896 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 702,694.
Capital : Honiara (on Guadalcanal).
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : Mount Makarakomburu, 2,447
m (8,028 ft).
Flag : Divided blue over green by a diagonal
yellow band. In the canton there are five
white stars.
Monetary unit : Solomon Islands dollar.
Languages : English, Melanesian pidgin, 80
other languages and dialects.
Religion : Christian 90.8%, of which Protestant
73.4% [including Church of Melanesia (Anglican)
31.9%], Roman Catholic 19.6%; traditional beliefs
3.1%; other 6.1%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
democracy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,656. Arable land : 0.62%. Principal
agricultural products : copra, palm oil, rice, cocoa,
yams, pigs. Labour force : in agriculture 75%; in
industry 5%. Major industrial products : processed
fish, Copra. Natural resources : fish, timber, gold,
bauxite. Exports : Fish, timber, copra, palm oil.
Imports : machinery and transport equipment,
foodstuffs, fuel, manufactured goods. Major
trading partners : Japan, Australia, U.K.,
Thailand, Singapore, the Netherlands, Hong Kong,
China.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 113
SOMALIA
Location : North-east Africa. Somalia’s
coastline extends from the Indian Ocean around
Cape Guardfui into the Gulf of Aden, with
Djibouti to the north-west, Ethiopia to the west
and Kenya to the south-west.
Area : 637,657 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 12,386,248.
Capital : Mogadishu.
Largest cities : Mogadishu, Hargeisa, Baidoa,
Burao.
Principal rivers : Juba, Shebelle.
Highest point : Surud Ad, 2,408 m (7,900 ft)
Flag : Light blue with a white star in the centre.
Monetary unit : Somali Shilling.
Languages : Somali (official) Arabic, English,
Italian.
Religion : Sunni Muslim 99.9%; other 0.1%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : In transition.
National name : Al Jumhouriya As-Somalya
al-Dimocradia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $21.3 billion. Per Capita GDP : $1,302.
Arable land : 1.73%. Principal products : livestock,
bananas, sorghum, cereals, sugarcane, cotton, maize.
Labour force in agriculture 71%. Major products :
flour, meat, fish, canned fruit juices. Natural
resources : timber, uranium. Exports : livestock,
skins and hides, bananas. Imports : textiles,
construction materials and equipment, machinery,
manufactured goods, transport equipment. Major
trading partners : Saudi Arabia, Italy, U.S., U.K.,
Germany, Italy.
SOUTH AFRICA
Republic of South Africa
Location : Southernmost part of Africa. The
country forms the southern part of Africa with a
coastline on the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. The
northern border is formed by Mozambique,
Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia.
Lesotho is completely encircled within South
Africa. Walvisbaai is an enclave in Namibia.
Area : 1,219,090 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 57,516,665.
Administrative capital : Pretoria.
Legislative capital : Cape Town.
Judicial capital : Bloemfontein.
Largest Metropolitan areas : Cape Peninsula
(Cape Town and surrounding), Bloemfontein,
Johannesberg/Randburg, East Rand (Springs,
Germcston and surroundings), Durban/
Pinetown/Inanda, Pretoria/Wonderboom/
Shoshanguve.
Principal rivers : Orange (Oranje), Limpopo,
Vaal.
Highest point : Injasuti, 3,048 m (11,182 ft)
Flag : Multicoloured — black, yellow, green,
white, blue and red.
Monetary unit : Rand.
Languages : English, Afrikaans, Sesotho,
IsiZulu, Isixhosa, Sepedi, Setswana, other African
languages.
Religion : Protestant 36.6% (incl. Zionist
Christian 11.1%; Pentecostal/Charismatic 8.2%),
Catholic 7.1%; Dutch Reformed 7.1%; none
15.1%.
Literacy rate : 95.0%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republic of South Africa.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $865.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $14,420. Arable land : 9.8%. Principal
agricultural products : corn, wool, wheat,
sugarcane, tobacco, fruits. Labour force in
agriculture 9%; in industry and commerce 26%;
in service 65%. Major products : assembled
automobiles, machinery, textiles, iron and steel,
chemicals, fertiliser, fish. Natural resources : gold,
diamonds, platinum, uranium, coal, iron ore,
phosphates, manganese. Exports : gold,
diamonds, minerals and metals, food, chemicals.
Imports : motor vehicle parts, machinery, metals,
scientific instruments, chemicals, textiles. Major
trading partners : U.S., Germany, other E.U.
countries, Hong Kong, Japan, U.K., Italy.
SOUTH SUDAN
Republic of South Sudan
South Sudan seceded from its parent state
Sudan by a referendum and became on July 9,
2011 the world’s newest (193rd) nation.
Location : South Sudan is bounded by
Ethiopia to the east, Kenya to the south east,
Uganda to the south, Democratic Republic of the
Congo to the south west, Central African Republic
to the west, and Sudan to the north.
Area : 644,329 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 11,544,905.
Capital : Juba.
Principal rivers : White Nile.
Highest point : Mt. Kinyeti, 3,187 m
(10,456 ft)
Flag : Horizontal tricolour of black, red and
green with a blue triangle at the hoist charged
with a five-pointed golden star.
Monetary unit : South Sudanese pound.
Languages : English (official); over 60
indigenous languages.
Religion : Christianity, animism.
Literacy rate : 34.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2016) : $19.6 billion. Per Capita GDP :
$1,812. Natural resources : petroleum, iron ore,
copper, zinc, tungsten, gold. Exports : crude oil,
timber. Imports : Food and many other essential
commodities.
114 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
SPAIN
Kingdom of Spain
Location : Located in South-west Europe,
Spain occupies the main part of the lberian
peninsula. It has coastlines to the west on the
Atlantic Ocean, north on the Bay of Biscay and
south and east on the Mediterranean Sea. France
and Andorra are located to its north and Portugal
to its west. The country includes the Balearic and
Canary Islands and Spanish areas of North Africa
(Ceuta, Melilla, Alhucemas, Chafarinas islands and
Penon de Velez).
Area : 505,370 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 47,163,418.
Capital : Madrid.
Largest cities : Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia,
Seville, Zaragoza, Vizcaya (Bilbao). Malaga, Las
Palmas de Gram Canaria, Valladolid, Murcia,
Cordoba, Palma de Mallorca, Granada, Vigo,
Alicante, Gijon, La Coruna, Cadiz, Victoria,
Badolona, Oviedo, Santader.
Principal rivers : Tagus (Tajo), Ebro, Douro
(Duero), Guadiana, Guadalquivir.
Highest point : Pico del Tiede, 3,716 m
(12,192 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, yellow
and red, with the yellow of double width and
charged near the hoist with the national arms.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages : Castilian, Spanish (official);
Basque, Catalan, Galician (all official regionally).
Religion : Roman Catholic 67.8%; atheist
9.1%; none 18.4%.
Literacy rate : 98.6%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy.
National name : Reino de Espana.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.9 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $40,775. Arable land : 24.75%. Principal
products : cereals, vegetables, citrus fruits, wine,
olives and olive oil, livestock. Labour force in
service 71.7%; in industry 24%. Major industrial
products : processed foods, textiles, footwear,
petro-chemicals, steel, automobiles ships. Natural
resources : coal, lignite, water power, uranium,
mercury, pyrites, fluorospar, gypsum, iron ore,
zinc, lead, tungsten, copper. Exports : fresh fruits,
cars and trucks, semi-finished manufactured foods,
food stuffs, machinery, electrical equipment.
Imports : machinery and transportation
equipment, chemicals, petroleum, automobiles,
machinery, iron, steel. Major trading partners :
Germany, France, Italy, U.S., U.K.
SRI LANKA
Democratic Socialist Republic
of Sri Lanka
Location : Located in South Asia, the island
of Sri Lanka is off the south-east coast of India,
separated by the Palk Strait.
Area : 65,610 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 23,187,516.
Capital : Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
(Colombo).
Largest cities : Sri Jayewardenepura Kotte
(Colombo), Kandy, Jaffna, Galle.
Principal rivers : Mahaweli Ganga, Kelani
Ganga.
Highest point : Pidurutalagala, 2,527 m
(8,292 ft).
Flag : A yellow field bearing two panels : in
the hoist two vertical stripes of green and orange;
in the fly, dark red with a gold lion holding a
sword and in each corner a gold ‘bo’ leaf.
Monetary unit : Sri Lanka Rupee.
Languages : Sinhala (official and national),
Tamil (national), English commonly used.
Religion : Buddhist 70.2%; Hindu 12.6%;
Christian 6.1%; Muslim 9.7%; Roman Catholic 6.1%
Literacy rate : 92.4%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $313.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $14,127. Arable land : 18.29%. Principal
agricultural products : tea, coconuts, rubber, rice,
spices, cotton, oil seeds, wheat, millet, sheep.
Labour force : in industry 25.8%. Major products :
processed rubber tea, coconuts, textiles, cement,
refined petroleum. Natural resources : limestone,
graphite, gems. Exports : petroleum products,
gems and jewellery, tea, rubber. Imports :
petroleum, machinery, transport equipment, sugar,
fertiliser. Major trading partners : Saudi Arabia,
U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan, Singapore, India, Iran,
Taiwan, Belgium, Hong Kong, China.
SUDAN
Republic of the Sudan
Location : Sudan is bounded by Egypt to the
north, the Red Sea to the north east, Eritrea and
Ethiopia to the East, South Sudan to the south,
the Central African Republic to the south west,
Chad to the west, and Libya to the north west.
Area : 1,861,484 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 47,958,856.
Capital : Khartoum.
Largest cities : Khartoum, Omdurman, Port
Sudan.
Principal rivers : Blue Nile, Dinder, Rahad.
Highest point : Deriba Caldera, 3,042 m
(9,980 ft)
Flag : Red, white and black horizontal patches,
with a green triangle at the hoist.
Monetary unit : Sudanese pound.
Languages : Arabic and English (both official);
many other tribal dialects.
Religion : Muslim (mostly Sunni); small
Christian minority.
Literacy rate : 60.7%.
Type of Government : Republic with strong
military influence.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 115
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $189.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $4,217. Labour force : agriculture: 80%;
industry 7%. Natural resources: asbestos,
chromium, mica, etc. Industrial products :
agricultural processed goods, automobiles, military
equipment.
SURINAME
Republic of Suriname
Location : Located on the north-east of South
America, Suriname has a coastline on the Atlantic
Ocean. Guyana (former Dutch Guiana) is located
to its west, French Guiana to its east and Brazil
to its south.
Area : 163,820 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 632,638.
Capital : Paramaribo.
Principal rivers : Corantijn, Nickerie,
Coppename, Saramacca, Suriname, Commewijne,
Maroni.
Highest point : Julianatop, 1,286 m (4,218 ft).
Flag : Horizontally green, red and green, with
the red of double width, with a yellow five-pointed
star in centre on red bar.
Monetary unit : Suriname dollar.
Languages : Dutch, Surinamese (lingua
franca), English also widely spoken.
Religions : Hindu 22.3%; Protestant 23.6%;
Roman Catholic 21.6%; Muslim 13.8%; none 7.5%
Literacy rate : 94.4%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $9.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $16,676. Land used for agriculture : 0.4%.
Principal agricultural products rice, citrus fruits,
sugar, coffee. Labour force in industry 14%. Major
products : aluminium, alumina, processed foods,
lumber, bricks, cigarettes. Natural resources :
bauxite, iron ore, timber, fish, shrimp. Exports :
bauxite, alumina, aluminium, rice, shrimp, lumber
and wood products. Imports : capital equipment,
petroleum, cotton, foodstuffs, consumer goods.
Major trading partners : U.S., Trinidad, the
Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Brazil, U.K.,
Japan, Antilles.
SWEDEN
Kingdom of Sweden
Location : Located in Northern Europe, Sweden
occupies the main part of the Scandinavian
peninsula. It has coastlines in the north-east on the
Gulf of Bothnia, south-east on the Baltic Sea and
west on the Kattegat. Norway is located to the west,
Finland to the north-east and Denmark across the
sea to the south-west.
Area : 450,295 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 10,483,647.
Capital : Stockholm.
Largest cities : Stockholm, Goteborg, Malmo,
Uppsala, Linkoping, Orebro, Norrkoping,
Vasteras, Jonkoping, Helsingborg, Boras,
Sundsvall, Umea, Lund.
Principal rivers : Ume, Torne, Angerman,
Klar, Dal.
Highest point : Kebnekaise, 2,123 m (6,965 ft).
Flag : Blue with a yellow Scandinavian cross.
Monetary unit : Krona.
Language : Swedish (official).
Religions : Lutheran 63%; other (including
Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Baptist, Muslim,
Jewish, Buddhist) 8.1%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy.
National name : Konungariket Sverige.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $617.9 billion. Per Capita GDP : $59,324.
Arable land : 5.8%. Principal agricultural products :
dairy products, grains, sugar beets, potatoes. Labour
force in industry 28.2%; in agriculture 1.1%. Major
products : iron and steel, precision equipment,
wood pulp and paper products, automobiles. Natural
resources : forests, iron ore, hydroelectric power,
zinc, uranium. Exports : wood pulp, paper products,
iron ore, machinery, motor vehicles, chemicals,
petroleum and petroleum products, iron and steel
products. Imports : machinery, iron and steel,
petroleum, clothings, foodstuffs. Major trading
partners : Norway, Germany, Denmark, U.S., U.K.
SWITZERLAND
Swiss Confederation
Location : Central Europe. Germany is to the
north, France to the west, Italy to the south and
Austria to the east.
Area : 41,277 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 8,508,698.
Capital : Bern.
Largest cities : Bern, Zurich, Basel, Geneva,
Lausanne, Lucerne (Luzern), St. Gallen,
Winterthur, Biel/Bienne, Thun, Lugano.
Principal rivers : Rhine (Rhein), Rhone, Aare,
Inn, Ticino.
Highest point : Dufourspitze (Monte Rosa),
4,634 m (15,203 ft).
Flag : Red with a white couped cross.
Monetary unit : Swiss franc.
Languages : German, French, Italian,
Romansch (all national and official).
Religion : Roman Catholic 37.3%; Protestant
24.9%; Muslim 5.1%; none 23.9%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
National name : Schweiz/Suisse/Svizzera/
Svizra.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $672.5 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $77,324. Arable land : 9.8%. Principal
agricultural products : cheese and other dairy
products, livestock. Labour force in industry :
23.4%. Major products : watches and clocks,
precision instruments, machinery, chemicals,
116 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
pharmaceuticals, textiles, generators, turbines.
Natural resources; water power, timber, salt.
Exports : machinery and equipment, precision
instruments, textiles foodstuffs, metal products.
Imports : transport equipment, foodstuffs,
chemicals, textiles, construction materials.
Major trading partners : E.U. countries, U.S.,
Japan.
SYRIA
Syrian Arab Republic
Location : Located in Middle East, Syria has
a coastline in the Mediterranean Sea. Turkiye is
located to its north, Iraq to its east and southeast, Jordan to its south and Lebanon and
Israel to its west at the southern part of the
country.
Area : 185,180 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 21,563,800.
Capital : Damascus.
Largest cities : Damascus, Aleppo, Homs,
Hama, Lattakia.
Principal rivers : Euphrates (Al Furat), Asi
(Orontes).
Highest point : Jabal ash Shaik (Mount
Hermon), 2,814 m (9,232 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and black, with two green stars on the white stripe.
Monetary unit : Syrian Pound.
Languages : Arabic, Kurdish, Armenian,
Aramaic, Circassian widely understood.
Religion : Sunni Muslim 74%, other Muslim
(including Alawi, Ismaili, Shia) 13%, Christian
10%; Druze 3%
Literacy rate : 86.4%.
Type of Government : Republic (under
military regime).
National name : Al-Jumhouriya al-Arabya AsSouriya.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2015) : $50.3 billion. Per Capita GDP
(2015) : $2,900. Arable land : 24.9%. Principal
agricultural products : cotton, wheat, barley, lentils,
sheep, goats. Labour force in industry : 16%. Major
industrial products : textiles, phosphate, petroleum,
processed food, soap. Natural resources : chrome,
manganese, asphalt, iron ore, rock salt, phosphate,
oil, gypsum. Exports : petroleum, textiles,
phosphate, farm products. Imports : machinery
and metal products, textiles, fuels, foodstuffs.
Major trading partners : Italy, Romania,
C.I.S. countries, U.S., E.U., Arab countries,
Canada.
TAIWAN
Republic of China
Location : Eastern Asia. The island of Taiwan
(Formosa) is about 300 km off the south-east
coast of China, separated from the mainland
by the Formosa Strait. Also included in the
territory are the Pescadores islets, and Quemoy
and Matsu islands which are close to mainland
China.
Area : 35,980 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 23,580,712.
Capital : Taipei.
Largest cities : Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung,
Tainan, Chilung (Keelung).
Principal rivers : Hsia-tan-shui Chi, Chosui
Chi.
Highest point : Yu Shan, 3997 m (13,113 ft).
Flag : Red with a blue first quarter bearing the
state emblem, a 12-pointed white sun in a blue
sky, in white.
Monetary unit : New Taiwan dollar.
Languages : Chinese (Mandarin), Taiwanese,
Hakka dialects.
Religions : Buddhist 35.3%; Taoist 33.2%;
Christian 3.9%.
Literacy rate : 98.5%.
Type of Government : Democracy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2018) : $1.2 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $50,300. Arable land : 24%; Labour force
in industry 36.2%; in agriculture 5%; in services
58.8%. Principal agricultural products : rice, yams,
sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, citrus fruits. Major
industrial products: textiles, clothing, chemicals,
processed foods, electronic equipment, cement,
ships, plywood. Natural resources : coal, natural
gas, limestone, marble. Exports : textiles, electrical
machinery, plywood. Imports : machinery, basic
metals, crude oil, chemicals. Major trading
partners : U.S., Japan, Hong Kong, Germany.
TAJIKISTAN
Republic of Tajikistan
Location : Tajikistan (earlier name
Tadzhikstan) is situated between 39° 40' and 36°
40' N lat. and 67° 20' and 75° E long., north of
the Oxus (Amu-Darya). On the west and north
it is bordered by Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan; on
the east by Chinese Turkestan and on the south
by Afghanistan.
Area : 143,100 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 9,119,347.
Capital : Dushanbe.
Largest cities : Dushanbe, Khudzand (formerly
Leninabad), Kurgan-Tyube and Kulyab.
Highest point : Mount Garmo, 7,495 m
(24,590 ft). It was known as Pik Kommunizama
(Communism Peak) when it was the highest
mountain of the former U.S.S.R.
Flag : Three horizontal stripes in equal red
(top) and green (bottom) together with white in
the middle equal to the size of red and green
stripes with a golden state emblem on the white
stripe.
Monetary unit : Somoni.
Languages : Tajik (official); Russian.
Religions : Sunni Muslim 85%; Shia Muslim
5%; others 10%.
Literacy rate : 99.8%.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 117
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Respubliki i Tojikiston.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $41.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $4,288. Arable land 5.96%. Labour force :
in industry 10.7%. Industries : Aluminium, zinc,
lead, cement, vegetable oil, metal cutting machine
tools, refrigerators, freezers. Agriculture: Cotton,
grains, fruits, grapes. The mineral deposits are
brown coal, lead, zinc and oil. Uranium, radium,
arsenic and bismuth are the rare elements found.
Asbestos, mica, corundum and emery, potassium
salts, sulphur and other minerals have also been
found in the republic. Exports : aluminium,
cotton, fruits, vegetable oils, Textiles. Imports :
Chemicals machinery and transport equipment,
textiles, foodstuffs. Major trading partners :
Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
TANZANIA
United Republic of Tanzania
Location : East Central Africa. Tanzania has
a coastline on the Indian Ocean. Kenya and
Uganda are to its north, Rwanda, Burundi and
Democratic Republic of Congo to its west, and
Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to its south.
The country includes the islands of Zanzibar and
Pemba in the Indian Ocean, about 40 km off the
coast.
Area : 947,300 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 63,852,892.
Capital : Dodoma.
Largest cities : Dodoma, Dar es Salaam,
Mwanza, Tanga, Zanzibar.
Principal rivers : Pangani (Ruvu), Rufiji,
Rovuma.
Highest point : Kilimanjaro, 5,894 m
(19,340 ft) the highest point in Africa.
Flag : Divided diagonally green, black and blue,
with the black stripe edged in yellow.
Monetary unit : Tanzanian shilling.
Languages : Swahili, English (primary language
of commerce, administration and higher
education), local languages.
Religions : Christian 61.4%; Muslim 35.2%
Literacy rate : 77.9%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Jamhuri ya Mwungano wa
Tanzania.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $175.0 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,933. Arable land : 12.25%. Principal
agricultural products : coconuts, maize, rice, wheat,
cotton, coffee, sisal, cashew nuts, tea, tobacco,
pyrethrum, cloves. Labour force : in agriculture,
80%; in industry and services : 20%. Major
industrial products : textiles, light manufactures,
refined oil, processed agricultural products,
diamonds, cement, fertiliser. Natural resources :
hydroelectric potential, unexploited iron and coal,
natural gas. Exports : coffee, cotton, sisal,
diamonds, cloves, cashew nuts. Imports :
manufactured goods, textiles, machinery and
transport equipment, crude oil, foodstuffs. Major
trading partners : U.K., Germany, U.S.,
Denmark, Kenya, the Netherlands, Hong Kong.
THAILAND
Kingdom of Thailand
Location : Located in South-east Asia,
Thailand has a coastline on the Gulf of Siam in
the South China Sea. Laos and Cambodia
(Kampuchea) are to the east, Myanmar to the
north and west, and Malaysia to the south.
Thailand includes the main part of the Isthmus
and Peninsula of Kra, north of Malaysia.
Area : 513,120 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 69,648,117.
Capital : Bangkok.
Largest cities : Bangkok, Nakhon Ratchasima
(Khorat), Songkhla, Chiang Mai, Chon Buri.
Principal rivers : Mekonj, Chao Pyha, Mae
Nam Mun.
Highest point : Doi Inthanon, 2,595 m.
Flag : Five horizontal stripes of red, white, blue,
white and red, with the blue of double width.
Monetary unit : Baht.
Languages : Thai, Chinese, English, regional
and ethnic dialects.
Religion : Buddhist 94.6%; Muslim 4.3%.
Literacy rate : 93.8%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy.
National name : Prathat Thai.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.3 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $19,209. Arable land : 30.7%. Principal
agricultural products : rice, rubber, corn, tapioca,
sugar, coconuts, pineapples. Labour force in
agriculture 38.2%; in industry 13.6%. Major
industries : textiles and garments, agricultural
processing, beverages, tobacco, cement, light
manufacturing, electric appliances and
components. Natural resources : fish, natural gas,
forests, fluorite, tin, tungsten. Exports : machinery
and manufactures, agricultural products, fishery
products. Imports : capital goods, intermediate
goods and raw materials. Major trading partners :
Japan, U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, the Netherlands,
U.K., Germany, Hong Kong, France, China.
TIMOR-LESTE
Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste
Location : Southeast Asia, eastern end of the
island of Timor plus an enclave on the western
end, bordering the Timor Sea and Indonesia.
Area : 14,874 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,445,006.
Capital : Dili.
Largest cities : Dili, Dare, Baucau, Maliana,
Ermera.
Flag : Two triangles in black and yellow colour
having common base on the left edge over the
118 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
red background. On the black triangle there is a
white star.
Monetary unit : US dollar.
Languages : Tetum and Portuguese;
Indonesian and English are “working languages.”
Religion : Roman Catholic 97.6%; Protestant
1%; Muslim 1%.
Literacy rate : 68.1%.
Type of Government : Republic with one
legislative body (National Parliament).
National name : Republika Democratika
Timor Lorosa’e.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $5.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $4,418. Arable land : 11.1%. Principal
agricultural products : corn (maize), rice, cassava.
Major industrial products: agriculture products,
textiles, handicrafts. Exports : coffee, livestock,
garments, manufactured goods. Imports : rice,
construction materials, petroleum products. Major
trading partner : Indonesia.
TOGO
Togolese Republic
Location : West Africa. The hinterland runs
north from a coastal strip on the Atlantic Ocean,
Benin is to the east, Ghana to the west and
Burkina Faso to the north.
Area : 56,785 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 8,492,333.
Capital : Lome.
Principal rivers : Moni, Oti.
Highest point : Pic Baumann, 983 m
(3,225 ft).
Flag : Five horizontal stripes of green and
yellow, a red quarter with a white star.
Monetary unit : Franc CFA.
Languages : Ewe, Mina (south), Kabye,
Cotocoli (north), French (official), and many dialects.
Religion : Christian 29%, Muslim 20%;
indigenous beliefs 51%.
Literacy rate : 66.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republique Togolaise.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $20.2 billion. Per Capita GDP : $2,380.
Arable land : 44.2%. Principal agricultural products :
yams, millet, sorghum, cocoa, coffee, rice, cotton.
Labour force in agriculture 65%. Major industrial
products : phosphate, textiles, processed food.
Natural resources : marble, phosphate, limestone.
Exports : phosphate, cotton, cocoa, coffee.
Imports : consumer goods, fuels, machinery,
chemical products, foodstuffs. Major trading
partners : European Union countries, Japan, United
States, Africa.
TONGA
Kingdom of Tonga
Location : Located in South-west Pacific
Ocean, Tonga comprises an archipelago of about
150 islands. Fiji is about 600 km to the west and
Sydney (Australia) about 3,000 km to the southwest. There are three main groups, Tongatapu,
Vava’u and Ha’apai.
Area : 747 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 105,517.
Capital : Nuku’alofa.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : Kao, 1,030 m (3,380 ft).
Flag : Red with a white quarter bearing a red
couped cross.
Monetary unit : Pa’anga.
Languages : Tongan, English (both
official).
Religion : Protestant 64.1% (includes Free
Wesleyan Church 35%, Free Church of Tonga
11.4%), Roman Catholic 14.2%; Mormon 18.6%
Literacy rate : 99.4%.
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $707.5 million. Per Capita
GDP : $6,694. Arable land : 21.3%; labour force
in industry 30.6%. Principal products : yams, taro,
papaya, pineapples, coconuts, tobacco, peanuts,
bananas, copra. Major industrial products : copra,
desiccated coconut. Natural resources : fish, timber.
Exports : copra, coconut products, vegetables,
fruits, bananas. Imports : manufactured goods,
foodstuffs, machinery, transport equipment, fuels,
chemicals, building materials. Major trading
partners : New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, U.S., Japan,
E.U. countries.
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Location : Eastern Caribbean Sea. Trinidad
island is 16 km from the coast of Venezuela,
Tobago island is 34 km north-east of Trinidad
island. To the north is Grenada, southernmost of
the Windward Islands.
Area : 5,128 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1,405,646.
Capital : Port-of-Spain.
Largest cities : Port-of-Spain, San Fernando,
Arima.
Principal rivers : Caroni, Orotoire Oropuche.
Highest point : Cero Aripo, 940 m (3,085 ft)
Flag : Red with a diagonal black stripe edged
in white.
Monetary unit : Trinidad and Tobago
dollar.
Languages : English (official); Caribbean
Hindustani, French, Spanish, Chinese.
Religion : Roman Catholic 21.6%, Hindu
18.2%, Anglican 5.7%, Baptist 6.9%, Pentecostal
12%, Muslim 5%, Seventh-Day Adventist 4.1%,
other Christian 6%, none 2.2%.
Literacy rate : 99%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 119
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $37.7 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $26,868. Arable land : 4.8%; Labour force
in industry 33%. Principal agricultural products :
sugarcane, cocoa, coffee, citrus. Major industrial
products : petroleum, processed food, cement,
tourism. Natural resource : petroleum, natural gas,
asphalt. Exports : petroleum and petroleum
products, steel products, fertiliser, sugar, cocoa,
coffee. Imports : raw material, consumer goods,
capital goods. Major trading partners : U.S.,
Caribbean, Latin America, Western Europe, U.K.,
Canada.
TUNISIA
Tunisian Republic
Location : North Africa. The Mediterranean
Sea forms the northern border of Tunisia, with
Algeria to the west and Libya to the south-east.
Area : 163,610 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 11,896,972.
Capital : Tunis.
Largest cities : Tunis, Sfax (Safaqis), Aryanah
and Ettadhamen are both part of the Tunis
agglomeration, Sousse (Susah).
Principal river : Medjerda.
Highest point : Jabal ash–Shanabi, 1,544 m.
Flag : Red with a white circle in the middle,
on which is a five-pointed red star encircled by a
red crescent.
Monetary unit : Tunisian dinar.
Languages : Arabic (official); French.
Religions : Muslim 99.1%; Christian, Jewish
and other 1%.
Literacy rate : 79%.
Type of Government : In transition.
National name : Al-Joumhouria Attunisia.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $138.4 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $11,595. Arable land : 17.35%. Principal
agricultural products: wheat, olives, citrus fruits,
grapes, dates. Labour force : in agriculture 18.3%;
in industry 31.9%. Major products : crude
oil, olive oil, textiles and leather, chemical
fertilisers, petroleum. Natural resources : oil,
phosphates, iron ore, lead, zinc. Exports :
petroleum, phosphates, textiles. Imports :
machinery and equipment, consumer goods,
foodstuffs. Major trading partners : E.U., C.I.S.
countries, West Asia, U.S., Turkiye, China, Canada,
Japan, Switzerland.
TURKIYE
Republic of Turkiye
Location : Located in South-east Europe,
Turkiye has coastline to the north on the Black
Sea, south on the Mediterranean Sea and west on
the Aegean Sea. Bulgaria is to the north, Georgia,
Armenia and Iran to the east, Iraq and Syria to
the south-east, Greece to the west. The Sea of
Marmara is within the north-west part of the
territory, having an outlet through the Bosphorus
to the Black Sea and through the Dardanelles to
the Mediterranean Sea.
Area : 783,562 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 83,047,706.
Capital : Ankara.
Largest cities : Ankara, Istanbul, Izmir, Adana,
Bursa, Gaziantep, Konya, Mercin, Kayseri,
Eskisehir, Diyarbakir, Antalya, Samsun.
Principal rivers : Euphrates (Firat), Tigris
(Dicle), Kizilimak (Halys), Sakarya.
Highest point : Buyuk Agridagi (Mount
Ararat), 5,185 m (17,011 ft).
Flag : A white crescent and star on red.
Monetary unit : Turkish Lira.
Languages : Turkish (official); Kurdish; Dimli.
Religion : Muslim (mostly Sunni) 99.8%.
Literacy rate : 96.7%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Turkiye Cumhuriyeti.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $2.6 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $30,472. Arable land : 26.21%. Principal
agricultural products : cotton, tobacco, cereals,
sugar beets, fruits, nuts. Labour force : in industry
26.2%; in agriculture 25.5%. Major industrial
products : textiles, processed foods, steel,
petroleum. Natural resources : coal, chromite,
copper, borate, sulfur, petroleum. Exports : cotton,
tobacco, fruits, nuts, livestock products, textiles.
Imports : machinery, transport equipment, metals,
mineral fuels, fertiliser, chemicals, crude oil. Major
trading partners : Germany, Iran, France, Italy,
U.S., U.K., Japan.
TURKMENISTAN
Republic of Turkmenistan
Location : The republic is bounded on the
north by the Autonomous Kara-Kalpak Republic,
a constituent of Uzbekistan, by Iran and
Afghanistan on the south, by the Uzbek Republic
on the east and the Caspian Sea on the west.
Area : 488,100 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 5,636,011.
Capital : Ashgabat.
Largest cities : Ashgabat, Chardzhou, Mary
(Merv), Nebit-Dag and Krasnovodsk.
Principal rivers : Amu Darya, Murgah.
Highest point : Firyuza, 2,942 m (9,652 ft)
Flag : Green, with a white crescent and five
white stars, and a red, white and black stripe of
five carpet patterns near the hoist.
Monetary unit : Manat.
Languages : Turkmen (official); Russian,
Uzbek.
Religion : Muslim (mostly Sunni) 89%; Eastern
Orthodox 9%.
Literacy rate : 99.7%.
Type of Government : Republic with
authoritarian rule.
120 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
National name : Turkmenostan Respublikasy
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2019) : $96.2 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $16,194. Labour force : in agriculture and
forestry 48.2%; in industry and construction 14%.
Industries : oil and gas, petrochemicals, fertilizers,
food processing, textile. Agriculture : cotton, fruits,
vegetables. Exports : natural gas, oil, chemicals,
cotton, textiles, carpets. Imports : machinery and
parts, plastic and rubber textiles.
TUVALU
Location : Located in South-west Pacific
Ocean, Tuvalu comprises a group of atolls
including nine main islands. Kiribati is to the
north, Fiji to the south and Australia is 4,000 km
to the south-west. Funafuti is the main island.
Area : 26 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 11,544.
Capital : Funafuti.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
Highest point : An unnamed point 6 m (20 ft).
Flag : Light blue with the Union Jack in the
canton and nine gold stars in the fly arranged in
the same pattern as the nine islands.
Monetary unit : Tuvalu dollar.
Languages : Tuvaluan, English, Samoan.
Religion : Protestant 98.4%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Constitutional
monarchy, with a parliamentary democracy.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $60.6 million. Per Capita
GDP : $5,082. Principal agricultural products :
copra and coconuts. Exports : copra. Imports :
food, fuels, machinery, animals, manufactured
goods. Major trading partners : Australia, Fiji,
New Zealand.
UGANDA
Republic of Uganda
Location : East Africa. Uganda is a landlocked
country. Kenya is located to the east, Tanzania
and Rwanda to the south, Democratic Republic
of Congo to the west and Sudan to the north.
Lake Victoria is part of the southern border and
is shared with Kenya and Tanzania.
Area : 241,038 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 46,205,893.
Capital : Kampala.
Largest cities : Kampala, Jinja, Mbale, Masaka,
Entebbe.
Principal rivers : Nile, Semliki.
Highest point : Ngaliema, 5,118 m (16,763 ft).
Flag : Six horizontal stripes of black, yellow,
red, black, yellow and red. In the centre is a small
white disc bearing a representation of a Balearic
Crested Crane.
Monetary unit : Ugandan shilling.
Languages : English (official), Swahili,
Luganda, Ateso, Luo.
Religion : Roman Catholic 39.3%, Protestant
45.1% (incl. Anglican 32%) ; Muslim 13.7%.
Literacy rate : 76.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $113 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,398. Arable land : 27.94%. Principal
agricultural products: coffee, tea, cotton, sugar.
Labour force in agriculture 82%; industry 5%.
Major industrial products refined sugar, beer,
tobacco, cotton textiles, cement. Natural
resources : copper, cobalt, limestone, salt.
Exports : coffee, cotton, tea. Imports : petroleum
products, machinery, transport equipment, metals,
food. Major trading partners : U.S., U.K., Kenya,
Italy, France, Spain, South Africa.
UKRAINE
Location : The republic is bounded in the
east by Russia, in the north by Belarus, in the
west by Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and
Moldova, and in the south by the Black Sea and
the Sea of Azov.
Area : 603,550 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 43,528,136.
Capital : Kyiv (Kiev).
Largest cities : Kyiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk,
Odessa, Dnepropetrovsk, Lviv, Zaporozhye,
Krivoi Rog.
Principal rivers : Don, Dnepr, Dnestr,
Donets, Bug.
Highest point : Mount Hoverla, 2,061 m
(6,762 ft)
Flag : Blue over yellow horizontally.
Monetary unit : Hryvna.
Languages : Ukrainian (official); Russian;
Romanian; Polish.
Religion : Ukrainian Orthodox (Kiev
Patriarchate) 50%, Ukrainian Orthodox (Moscow
Patriarchate) 26%, Ukrainian Greek Catholic 8%,
Ukrainian Autocephalous Orthodox 7%, Roman
Catholic 2%, Protestant 2%.
Literacy rate : 99.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Ukrayina.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $588.4 billion. Per Capita GDP : $14,220.
Labour force : in industry and construction, 41%;
agriculture and forestry 15.8%; health, education
and culture 18%; trade and distribution 8%; transport
and communication 7%. Mineral resources : Iron
ore, coal, manganese, natural gas, oil, salt, sulphur,
graphite, titanium, kaolin, nickel, mercury. The
republic contains some of the richest land in the
former Soviet Union. Important agricultural crops:
grains, vegetables, meat, milk. Industrial production
: steel, rolled metal products, steel pipes, cement,
sulphuric acid, refrigerators, washing machines and
vacuum cleaners. Exports : coal, electric power,
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 121
ferrous and non-ferrous metals, chemicals,
machinery and transportation equipment, grain
and meat. Imports : machinery and parts,
transportation equipment, chemicals and textiles.
Major trading partners : Russia, Belarus and
Kazakhstan.
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Location : Located in Middle East, the United
Arab Emirates has a coastline on the Gulf, known
as the Trucial Coast. Oman is to its east, Saudi
Arabia to its south and west and Qatar to its
north-west.
Area : 83,600 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 9,915,803.
Capital : Abu Dhabi.
Largest cities : Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, al
Ayn.
Principal rivers : There are no permanent
streams.
Highest point : Al-Hajar, 1,189 m (3,901 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of green, white
and black, with a vertical red stripe in the hoist.
Monetary unit : Dirham.
Language : Arabic (official); Persian; English;
Hindi; Urdu.
Religion : Muslim 76%; Christian 9%; other
16%.3.2%.
Type of Government : Federation of emirates.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2020) : $660.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $66,766. Arable Land : 0.6%; irrigated land,
19.3 sq. miles. Principal agricultural products :
vegetables, dates, poultry, fish. Labour force (80%
is foreign) in industry and commerce : 15%. Major
industrial products : light manufactures, petroleum,
construction materials. Natural resources : oil.
Exports : petroleum, dates, fish, natural gas.
Imports : machinery, consumer goods, food,
capital goods. Major trading partners : Japan,
Western Europe, U.S., Singapore, South Korea.
UNITED KINGDOM
United Kingdom of Great Britain
and Northern Ireland
Location : Located in North-west Europe, the
Kingdom comprises the island of Great Britain
(which includes England, Wales and Scotland). It
is 35 km off the north-west coast of France and
Northern Ireland (the north-east part of the island
of Ireland), which is 30 km west of Scotland
across the Irish sea. The islands of Great Britain
and Ireland (including the territory of the Republic
of Ireland), together with the Isle of Man, are
known as the British Isles.
Area : 243,610 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 67,791,400.
Capital : London.
Largest cities : London, Manchester,
Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool,
Bradford, Edinburgh, Bristol.
Principal rivers : Severn, Thames (with
Churu), Trent-Humber, Aire (with Ouse), Ouse,
Wye, Tay (with Tummel), Nene, Clyde.
Highest point : Ben Nevis, 1,392 m (4,406 ft)
Flag : The Union Jack. The combined crosses
of St. George (red), St. Andrew (white) and
St. Patrick (red), the red fimbriated in white, all
on a blue ground.
Monetary unit : Pound (£).
Languages : English, Welsh, Scots Gaelic.
Religions : Christian (including Anglican,
Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 59.5%;
Muslim 4.4%; unspecified or nonreligious 25.7%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Constitutional
Monarchy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $3.3 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $49,675. Arable land : 24.88%. Principal
agricultural products : wheat, barley, potatoes,
sugar beats, livestock, dairy products. Labour force
in services 83.5%; in manufacturing and
construction 18.2%. Major industrial products :
machinery and transport equipment, metals,
processed food, paper, textiles, chemicals, clothing
aircraft, ship building, electronics and
communications. Natural resources : coal, oil, gas.
Exports : machinery, transport equipment,
chemicals, petroleum manufactured goods, semifinished goods. Imports : foodstuffs, machinery,
manufactured goods, semi-finished goods. Major
trading partners : Western European nations,
U.S.
UNITED STATES
The United States of America
Location: North America and Pacific Ocean.
The continental United States has Canada on the
northern boundary and Mexico on the southern.
Alaska is bounded to the south-east by Canada.
Hawaii is in the central Pacific 3,900 km to the
west of the mainland.
Area : 9,826,675 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 337,341,954.
Capital : Washington, D.C.
Largest cities : Washington, D.C., New York,
Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, San
Diego, Detroit, Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio,
Boston, Fort Worth, Miami, Atlanta, Cleveland,
Seattle, San Diego, Mineapolis, St. Louis,
Baltimore, Pittsburg.
Principal rivers : Mississippi (with Missouri
and Red Rock), Rio Grande, Yukon (with
Nisutlin), Arkansas, Colorado, Ohio (with
Allegheny), Red River, Columbia.
Highest point : Mount Mckinley, 6,194 m
(20,320 ft) in Alaska.
Flag : Seven red and six white alternating
stripes, horizontal; with a blue canton, extending
down to the lower edge of the fourth red stripe
from the top and displaying 50 white fivepointed stars, one for each state. The stars have
122 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
one point directed vertically upward and they are
arranged in six rows of five each, alternating
with five rows of four each on the admission
of additional states, stars are added effective on
July 4 following the date of admission.
Monetary unit : U.S. dollar.
Languages : Predominantly English, sizable
Spanish-speaking minority.
Religions : Protestant 46.5%; Roman Catholic
20.8%; Jewish 1.9%; Mormon 1.6%; other
Christian 0.9%; Muslim 0.9%; Jehovah’s Witness
0.8%; Buddhist 0.7%; Hindu 0.7%; unaffiliated
22.8%.
Literacy rate : NA.
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $23.0 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $69,288. Arable land : 16.2%. Principal
products : corn, wheat, barley, oats, sugar,
potatoes, soyabeans, fruits, beef, veal, pork. Labour
force : in industry 35%; in services 24%. Major
industrial products : petroleum products, fertilisers,
cement, pig iron and steel, plastics and resins,
newsprint, motor vehicles, machinery, natural gas,
electricity. Natural resources : coal, oil, copper,
gold, silver, minerals, timber. Exports : machinery,
chemicals, aircraft, military equipment, cereals,
motor vehicles, grains. Imports : crude and partly
refined petroleum, machinery, automobiles. Major
trading partners : Canada, Japan, Western
Europe.
URUGUAY
Oriental Republic of Uruguay
Location : Uruguay is located on the east
central part of South America. With a coastline
on the Atlantic Ocean and on the River Plate
estuary, Brazil is to the north and Argentina to
the west. The Uruguay river forms the frontier
with Argentina.
Area : 176,215 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 3,407,213.
Capital : Montevideo.
Largest cities : Montevideo, Salto, Paysandu,
Las Piedras, Rivera.
Principal rivers : Rio Negro, Uruguay, Yi.
Highest point : Cerro de las Animas, 500 m
(1,643 ft).
Flag : Nine horizontal stripes of white and
blue, a white canton with the ‘Sun of May’ in
gold.
Monetary unit : Uruguayan Peso.
Languages : Spanish, Portunol, Brazilero.
Religions : Roman Catholic 47.1%, nonCatholic Christian 11.1%, non-denominational
23.2%, atheist or agnostic 17.2%.
Literacy rate : 98.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
National name : Republica Oriental del
Uruguay.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $85.8 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $24,625. Arable land : 10.2%. Principal
agricultural products : livestock, grains. Labour
force in industry 14%; agriculture 13%. Major
products : processed meat, wool and hides, textiles,
shoes, hand-bags and leather wearing apparel,
cement, refined petroleum. Natural resources :
hydroelectric power potential. Exports : meat,
hides, fish. Imports : crude petroleum,
transportation equipment, chemical, machinery,
metals. Major trading partners : U.S., Brazil,
Argentina, Germany.
UZBEKISTAN
Republic of Uzbekistan
Location : Uzbekistan is bordered on the north
by Kazakhstan, on the east by Kyrgyzstan and
Tajikistan, on the south by Afghanistan, and on
the west by Turkmenistan.
Area : 447,400 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 31,104,937.
Capital : Tashkent.
Largest cities : Tashkent, Samarkand,
Andizhan and Namangan.
Principal rivers : Amu Darya, Kara Darya.
Highest point : Bannovka, 4,488 m (14,724 ft).
Flag : Blue, white and green stripes, with the
white edged in red, and in the upper stripe a
white crescent and 12 white stars.
Monetary unit : Som.
Languages : Uzbek, Russian, Tajik.
Religion : Muslim (mostly Sunni) 88%; Eastern
Orthodox 9%.
Literacy rate : 100%.
Type of Government : Republic with
authoritarian rule.
National name : Ozbekiston Respublikasy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $296.7 billion. Per Capita GDP : $8,497.
Labour force : in agriculture and forestry 44%; in
industry and construction 20%. Natural resources :
natural gas, petroleum, coal, gold, uranium,
silver, copper, lead, zinc, tungsten, molybdenum.
Agricultural Crops : Cotton is the major crop.
Exports : Cotton, gold textiles, chemicals, mineral
fertilisers, vegetable oil. Imports : machinery and
parts, consumer durables grain and other food.
Major trading partners : C.I.S. States.
VANUATU
Republic of Vanuatu
Location : Located in South-west Pacific
Ocean, Vanuatu comprises 12 main and about 70
small islands, with Fiji 800 km to the east and
New Caledonia 400 km to the south-west. The
main islands are Efate, Espiritu Santo, Malekula
and Tanna.
Area : 12,189 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 308,043.
Capital : Port Vila.
Principal rivers : There are no significant
rivers.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 123
Highest point : Mt. Tabwebesana, 1,888 m
(6,195 ft).
Flag : Red over green, with a black triangle in
the hoist, the three parts being divided by
fimbriations of black and yellow, and in the centre
of the black triangle a boar’s tusk overlaid by two
crossed fern leaves.
Monetary unit : Vatu.
Religion : Protestant 70% (incl. Presbyterian
27.9%, Anglican 15.1%; Seventh-Day Adventist
12.5%), Roman Catholic 12.4%,
Literacy rate : 87.5%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $976.5 million. Per Capita
GDP : $3,105. Arable land : 1.64%. Labour force
in agriculture 65%. Principal agricultural products :
copra, cocoa, coffee, livestock. Exports : copra,
cocoa, coffee, frozen fish. Imports : machines
and vehicles, raw materials, fuel, machinery. Major
trading partners : France, New Zealand, Japan,
Australia, the Netherlands.
VATICAN CITY
(The Holy See)
Location : Southern Europe. The city state is
within the city of Rome in Italy. There are also
areas outside the main city state.
Area : 0.44 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 1000.
Flag : Vertically yellow and white. On the white
are the crossed keys and tiara of the Papacy.
Monetary unit : Euro.
Languages: Latin, Italian and various other
languages.
Religion : Roman Catholic.
Literacy rate : 100%.
Type of Government : Monarchical sacredotal
State.
National name : Stato della Citta del Vaticano.
VENEZUELA
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Location : Venezuela is located north of South
America. It has a coastline on the Caribbean Sea.
Colombia is to the west and south, Guyana to
the east and Brazil to the east and south.
Area : 912,050 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 29,789,730.
Capital : Caracas.
Largest cities : Caracas, Maracaibo, Valencia,
Barquisimento.
Principal rivers : Orinoco, Rio Meta, Coroni,
Apure.
Highest point : Pico Bolivar, 5,007 m
(16,423 ft).
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of yellow, blue
and red, with an arc of seven white stars in the
centre and the national arms in the canton.
Monetary unit : Bolivar Fuerte.
Language : Spanish, indigenous dialects in
interior.
Religion : Roman Catholic (nominally) 96%;
Protestant 2%.
Literacy rate : 97.1%.
Type of Government : Federal Republic.
National name : Republica de Venezuela.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2018) : $380.7 billion. Per Capita GDP : $12,100.
Arable land : 2.85%. Principal agricultural products:
rice, coffee, corn, sugar, bananas, dairy and meat
products. Labour force in services 70.9%; in industry
21.8%. Principal industrial products : refined
petroleum products, iron and steel, paper products,
cement, aluminium, textiles, transport equipment.
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, iron ore,
gold, hydroelectric power. Exports : petroleum,
iron ore, bauxite. Imports : industrial machinery
and equipment, manufactures, chemicals,
foodstuffs. Major trading partners : U.S., Japan,
Germany, Brazil, Italy.
VIETNAM
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Location : Located in South-east Asia, Vietnam
has a coastline to the east and south
on the South China Sea. China is to the north,
Laos and Cambodia (Kampuchea) are to the west.
Area : 331,210 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 103,808,319.
Capital : Hanoi.
Largest cities : Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
(Saigon), Haiphong, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Qui
Nho’n, Hue.
Principal rivers : Mekong, Songkoi, Songbo,
Ma, Hongha.
Highest point : Fan si Pan, 3,142 m (10,308 ft).
Flag : Red with a yellow five-pointed star in
the centre.
Monetary unit : Dong.
Language : Vietnamese (official), French,
English, Khmer, Chinese.
Religion : Buddhist 7.9%; Roman Catholic
6.6%; none 81.8%.
Literacy rate : 95.8%.
Type of Government : Communist.
National name : Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu
Nghia Viet Nam.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $1.1 trillion. Per Capita
GDP : $11,553. Arable land : 19.64%. Principal
agricultural products: rice, rubber, fruits and
vegetables, corn, sugarcane, fish. Labour force :
in agriculture : 48%; in industry 21%. Major
industrial products : processed foods, textiles,
cement, chemical fertilisers, glass, tyres. Natural
resource : forests, coal. Exports : agricultural
products, coal, minerals. Imports : petroleum,
steel products, railroad equipments, chemicals,
medicines, raw cotton, fertilisers, grain. Major
trading partners : C.I.S. countries, Singapore,
Japan, Eastern Europe, Hong Kong, Thailand.
124 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
YEMEN
Republic of Yemen
Location : Formerly known as the states of
Yemen and the Yemen Arab Republic, the
Republic of Yemen occupies the south-western
tip of the Arabian Peninsula on the Red Sea
opposite Ethiopia, and extends along the southern
part of the Arabian Peninsula on the Gulf of
Aden and the Indian Ocean. Saudi Arabia is to
the north and Oman is to the east.
Area : 527,968 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 30,984,689.
Capital : Sana’a.
Largest cities : Sana’a, Aden, Taiz, Hodeida,
Mukalla.
Principal river : Bana.
Highest Point : Jabel Hadhar, 3,760 m
(12,336 ft)
Flag : Three horizontal stripes of red, white
and black.
Monetary unit : Rial.
Language : Arabic (official).
Religion : Muslim 99.1%, of which Sunni 65%,
Shia 35%.
Literacy rate : 70.1%.
Type of Government : In transition.
National name : Al Jamhuriya al Yamaniyah.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2019) : $73.3 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,571. Principal agricultural products :
wheat, sorghum, cattle, sheep, cotton, fruits,
coffee, dates. Major industrial products : crude
and refined oil, textiles, leather goods, handicrafts.
Natural resources : traces of copper, sulphur, coal,
quartz. Exports : cotton, coffee, hides and skins,
vegetables, dried fish. Imports : foodstuffs textiles
and other manufactured consumer goods, sugar,
grain, flour. Major trading partners : U.K.,
France, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Australia, U.S.
ZAMBIA
Republic of Zambia
Location : South Central Africa. Zambia is
a landlocked country. Democratic Republic of
Congo and Tanzania are to its north, Malawi
and Mozambique to its east, Zimbabwe,
Botswana and Namibia (South-West Africa) to
its south, and Angola to its west. The Zambesi
river forms the boundary with Zimbabwe.
Area : 752,618 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 19,642,123.
Capital : Lusaka.
Largest cities: Lusaka, Kitwe, Ndola, Chingola.
Principal rivers : Zambezi, Kafue, Luapula
Highest Point : An unnamed peak in the
Muchinga Mountains, 2,164 m (7,100 ft).
Flag : Green, within the fly is a panel of
three vertical stripes of dark red, black and
orange, and above these a soaring eagle in gold.
Monetary unit : Kwacha.
Languages : English and many local dialects.
Religion : Protestant 75.3%; Roman Catholic
20.2%; Other 2.7% (include Muslim, Hindu and
Buddhist).
Literacy rate : 86.8%.
Type of Government : Republic.
Member of Commonwealth of Nations
Economic summary : Gross Domestic Product
(2022) : $68.6 billion. Per Capita GDP : $3,624.
Arable land : 4.52%. Principal agricultural products :
corn, tobacco, rice, fruits, sugarcane. Labour force
in agriculture 85%; in mining and manufacturing
6%; in services 9%. Major industrial products :
copper, chemicals, textiles, fertilisers. Natural
resources : copper, zinc, lead, cobalt, coal. Exports :
copper, zinc, lead, cobalt, tobacco. Imports : manufactured goods, foodstuffs, fuels. Major trading
partners : Western European nations, Japan, U.S.,
South Africa, Saudi Arabia, India.
ZIMBABWE
Republic of Zimbabwe
Location : South Central Africa. Zimbabwe is
a landlocked country. Mozambique is located to
its east, between Zimbabwe and the Indian Ocean,
Zambia to its north, Botswana to its west and
South Africa to its south.
Area : 390,757 sq. km.
Population (2022) : 15,121,004.
Capital : Harare.
Largest cities : Harare (formerly Salisbury),
Bulawayo, Chitunguiza, Gweru, Mutare (Umtali).
Principal rivers : Zambezi, Limpopo, Sabi.
Highest Point : Mount Inyangani, 2,592 m
(8,504 ft).
Flag : Seven horizontal stripes of green, yellow,
red, black, red, yellow and green. On a white
black-edged triangle in the hoist is a red star
surmounted by the Zimbabwe Bird in yellow.
Monetary unit : Use of the Zimbabwe dollar
was suspended in 2009; the South African rand
and the US dollar are currently in use.
Languages : English (official), Sindebele,
Shona, minor tribal dialects.
Religion : Protestant 74.8% (incl. Apostolic
37.5%, Pentecostal 21.8%); Roman Catholic 7.3%;
none 10.5%
Literacy rate : 88.7%.
Type of Government : Parliamentary
Democracy.
Economic summary : Gross Domestic
Product (2022) : $36.9 billion. Per Capita
GDP : $2,444. Arable land : 10.49%. Principal
agricultural products : tobacco, corn, sugarcane,
cotton, livestock. Labour force in agriculture :
66%; in industry 10%; in services 24%. Major
industrial products : steel, textiles, chemicals,
vehicles. Natural resources : gold, copper, chrome,
nickel, tin, asbestos. Exports : gold, tobacco,
asbestos, copper, meat, chrome nickel, corn, sugar.
Imports : machinery, petroleum products,
transport equipment, foodstuffs. Major trading
partners : South Africa, E.U., U.S.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 131
Directions (Qs. 1 to 15) : What
should come in place of the question
mark (?) in the following questions ?
1. 6.2 × 5.5 × 4.5 = ?
(1) 154.35
(2) 145.54
(3) 155.54
(4) 135.45
(5) None of these
2. ?
7
2
2
14
1
– 3
7
1
7
(1) 14
5
6 (2) 14
5
4
(3) 14
3
2 (4) 14
11
7
(5) None of these
3. ?
7
6
7
5
5
1
(1) 5
1
(2) 5
3
(3) 6
1
(4) 7
2
(5) None of these
4. 2615 – 4361 + 2881 = ? × 20
(1) 65.75 (2) 58.75
(3) 54.25 (4) 64.25
(5) None of these
5. 3.5 × (48 ÷ 1.5) = ?
(1) 111 (2) 112
(3) 121 (4) 122
(5) None of these
6. 16.8% of 705 = ?
(1) 116.88 (2) 109.66
(3) 118.44 (4) 121.22
(5) None of these
7. 13% of 190 + ? = 111
(1) 68.7 (2) 93.3
(3) 24.7 (4) 71.3
(5) None of these
8. 628.88 – 410.25 + 153.05 = ?
(1) 371.68
(2) 56.58
(3) 317.68
(4) 65.58
(5) None of these
9. (5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5)2
× (5 ×
5 × 5 × 5)8
÷ (5 × 5)3 = (25)?
(1) 22 (2) 13
(3) 17 (4) 19
(5) None of these
10. ?– 12 1296
(1) 2304 (2) (48)2
(3) 48 (4) 48
(5) None of these
11. 8282 + 2828 = ? × 40
(1) 277.75
(2) 257.75
(3) 277.25
(4) 257.25
(5) None of these
12. 5% of 420 × ?% of 150 = 252
(1) 12 (2) 5
(3) 6 (4) 8
(5) None of these
NUMERICAL ABILITY
132 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
13. 25 ÷ 0.5 – 0.5 = ?
(1) 25 (2) 0
(3) 36.5 (4) 49.5
(5) None of these
14. 5 × ? = 2862 ÷ 3
(1) 4770 (2) 195.4
(3) 4077 (4) 170.6
(5) None of these
15. 8080 ÷ 80 ÷ 8 = ?
(1) 880 (2) 12.625
(3) 808 (4) 16.225
(5) None of these
Directions (Qs. 16 to 20) : What
approximate value should come in
place of the question mark (?) in the
following questions ?
(Note : You are not expected to
calculate the exact value.)
16. 9125 ÷ 90 ÷ 9 = ?
(1) 27 (2) 3
(3) 7 (4) 21
(5) 11
17. 6666.009 – 585.999 – 79.989 = ?
(1) 5000 (2) 5500
(3) 6500 (4) 4500
(5) 6000
18. 11.003 × 10.998 + 111.010 = ?
(1) 255 (2) 195
(3) 230 (4) 270
(5) 210
19. (14.5)2
= ?
(1) 235 (2) 190
(3) 250 (4) 185
(5) 210
20. 765.0003 ÷ 44.999 = ?
(1) 17 (2) 11
(3) 6 (4) 22
(5) 30
Directions (Qs. 21 to 25) : What
should come in place of the question
mark (?) in the following number
series?
21. 2 26 286 ? 18018 90090
270270
(1) 3088 (2) 2667
(3) 3862 (4) 2574
(5) None of these
22. 358 356 352 344 328 296 ?
(1) 232 (2) 247
(3) 225 (4) 255
(5) None of these
23. 8 ? 30 105 472.5 2598.75
16891.875
(1) 24 (2) 10
(3) 12 (4) 16
(5) None of these
24. 3 4 ? 21 85 110 326
(1) 7 (2) 10
(3) 12 (4) 14
(5) None of these
25. 50000 10000 2500 500 125 ?
6.25
(1) 75 (2) 25
(3) 50 (4) 31.5
(5) None of these
26. 6 women and 10 children
together take 6 days to complete a
piece of work. How many days will
10 children alone take to complete
the piece of work if 6 women alone
can complete the piece of work in
10 days ?
(1) 21 (2) 18
(3) 12 (4) 15
(5) None of these
27. The respective ratio between
Sneha’s, Tina’s and Akruti’s monthly
income is 95 : 110 : 116. If Sneha’s
annual income is Rs. 3,42,000, what is
Akruti’s annual income ? (In some cases
monthly income and in some cases
annual income is used.)
(1) Rs. 3,96,000
(2) Rs. 5,63,500
(3) Rs. 4,17,600
(4) Rs. 3,88,000
(5) None of these
28. Meghna walks 3.36 kms. in
4 weeks by walking an equal distance
each day. How many metres does she
walk each day?
(1) 100 (2) 80
(3) 140 (4) 120
(5) None of these
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 133
29. The average of four consecutive
even numbers A, B, C and D respectively
is 37. What is the product of A & C ?
(1) 1520 (2) 1368
(3) 1292 (4) 1224
(5) None of these
30. The product of 5% of a positive
number and 2% of the same number is
211.6. What is half of that number ?
(1) 230 (2) 460
(3) 920 (4) 115
(5) None of these
31. Find the missing number if the
average of all the eight numbers is 474.
533, 128, 429, 225, _____, 305, 601,
804
(1) 767 (2) 781 (3) 776
(4) 758 (5) None of these
32. The perimeter of a square is twice
the perimeter of a rectangle. If the
perimeter of the square is 56 cms. and
the length of the rectangle is 9 cms.,
what is the difference between the
breadth of the rectangle and the side
of the square ?
(1) 7 cms. (2) 9 cms.
(3) 11 cms. (4) 5 cms.
(5) None of these
33. A truck covers a distance of 256
kms. at the speed of 32 kms./hr. What
is the average speed of a car which
travels a distance of 160 kms. more than
the truck in the same time ?
(1) 46 kms./hr. (2) 52 kms./hr.
(3) 49 kms./hr. (4) 64 kms./hr.
(5) None of these
34. Sushil got 103 marks in Hindi,
111 marks in Science, 98 marks in
Sanskrit, 110 marks in Maths and 88
marks in English. If the maximum
marks of each subject are equal and if
Sushil scored 85 percent marks in all
the subjects together, what are the
maximum marks of each subject ?
(1) 110 (2) 120
(3) 115 (4) 100
(5) None of these
35. A man riding a bicycle, completes
one lap of a square field along its
perimeter at the speed of 39.6 km/hr
in 1 minute 20 seconds. What is the
area of the field ?
(1) 52900 sq. mts.
(2) 44100 sq. mts.
(3) 48400 sq. mts.
(4) Cannot be determined
(5) None of these
36. At present Tarun is twice Vishal’s
age and half of Tanvi’s age. After four
years Tarun will be 1.5 times Vishal’s
age and Tanvi will be 2.5 times Vishal’s
age then. What is Tanvi’s present age?
(1) 12 years (2) 8 years
(3) 20 years (4) 16 years
(5) None of these
37. The difference between the
compound interest and simple interest
accrued on an amount at the end of
three years @ 15% is Rs. 453.6. What is
the amount ?
(1) Rs. 4,500 (2) Rs. 6,400
(3) Rs. 7,200 (4) Rs. 8,000
(5) None of these
38. Pankaj, Sanjay, and Pratima start
running around a circular stadium and
complete one round in 12 seconds, 8
seconds and 15 seconds respectively. In
how much time will they meet again at
the starting point ?
(1) 3 minutes 30 seconds
(2) 1 minute
(3) 3 minutes
(4) 2 minutes
(5) None of these
39. On Teacher’s Day 3200 sweets
were to be equally distributed amongst
a certain number of children. But on
that particular day 80 children remained
absent; hence each child got 2 sweets
extra. How many children were
originally supposed to be there ?
(1) 320 (2) 500
(3) 540 (4) 400
(5) Cannot be determined
134 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
40. What will come in place of both
the question marks (?) in the following
question ?
4.0
6.1
(?)
24
96
(?)
(1) 58 (2) – 38
(3) 46 (4) 36
(5) – 48
41. The area of a circle is equal to the
area of a rectangle with perimeter equal
to 35 metres and breadth equal to
5.5 metres. What is the area of the circle ?
(1) 88 sq.mts. (2) 72 sq.mts.
(3) 66 sq.mts. (4) 54 sq.mts.
(5) None of these
42. In an examination the maximum
aggregate marks that a student can get
are 1020. In order to pass the exam a
student is required to get 663 marks out
of the aggregate marks. Shreya got
612 marks. By what percent did Shreya
fail the exam ?
(1) 5 (2) 8
(3) 7
(4) Cannot be determined
(5) None of these
43. Sujit incurred a loss of 45 percent
on selling an article for Rs. 3,740. What
was the cost price of the article?
(1) Rs. 5,725 (2) Rs. 5,080
(3) Rs. 6,250 (4) Rs. 6,400
(5) None of these
44. In how many different ways can
the letters of the word ‘VIRTUAL’ be
arranged ?
(1) 840 (2) 5040
(3) 2520 (4) 1680
(5) None of these
45. A 480 metres long train crosses a
platform in 140 seconds. What is the
speed of the train ?
(1) 5 m/s
(2) 7 m/s
(3) 4.5 m/s
(4) Cannot be determined
(5) None of these
46. The compound interest accrued
in 2 years on a principal of Rs. 16,250
is Rs. 5,616. What is the rate of interest
p.c.p.a. ?
(1) 22
(2) 16
(3) 18
(4) Cannot be determined
(5) None of these
47. The average height of 21 girls
was recorded as 148 cms. If the teacher’s
height was added, the average increased
by one. What was the teacher’s height ?
(1) 156 cms. (2) 168 cms.
(3) 170 cms. (4) 162 cms.
(5) None of these
48. What would be the area of a circle
whose diameter is 35 cms ?
(1) 962.5 sq.cms. (2) 875.5 sq.cms.
(3) 981.5 sq.cms. (4) 886.5 sq.cms.
(5) None of these
49. Mehul sold an item for Rs. 5,625
and incurred a loss of 25%. At what
price should he have sold the item to
have gained a profit of 25% ?
(1) Rs. 9,375 (2) Rs. 10,500
(3) Rs. 8,250
(4) Cannot be determined
(5) None of these
50. Out of the fractions 3
2
,
7
4
,
9
7
,
5
3
and 8
5
what is the difference between
the largest and smallest fractions ?
(1) 63
8
(2) 63
19
(3) 63
11
(4) 63
17
(5) None of these
ANSWERS
1. (5) : ? = 6.2 × 5.5 × 4.5
= 153.45
2. (1)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 135
3. (3) : ? =
7
6
7
5
5
1
= 6
1
6
7
7
5
5
1
4. (5) : ? × 20 =2615 – 4361 + 2881
? = 20
26154361 2881
= 56 75.
20
1135
5. (2) : ? = 3.5 × (48 ÷ 1.5)
= 3.5 × 32 = 112
6. (3) : ? = 705
100
16 8.
= 118.44
7. (5) : ? = 190
100
13
111
= 111 – 24.7 = 86.3
8. (1)
9. (4) : (5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5 × 5)2
× (5 × 5 × 5)8
÷ (5 × 5)3
= (25)x
.
(52
)
x = (56
)
2
× (54
)
7
÷ (52
)
3
= 512 + 32 – 6 = 538
2x = 38
x =19.
10. (2) : ? 12 = 1296
? =36 + 12 = 48
? = (48)2
11. (1) : ? = 40
8282 2828
= 27775.
40
11110
12. (4) : 150 252
100
?
420
100
5
150
100
?
= 12
21
252
? = 8
3
12 2
13. (4) : ? = 5.0
5.0
25
= 50 – 0.5 = 49.5
14. (5) : 5 × ? = 954
3
2862
? = 190 8.
5
954
15. (2) 16. (5)
17. (5) : ? = 6666.009 – 585.999
– 79.989
6666 – 586 – 80
6000
18. (3) : ? = 11.003 × 10.998
+ 111.010
11 × 11 + 111
121 + 111 232 230
19. (5)
20. (1) : ? 17.
45
765
21. (4) : The sequence is
× 13, × 11, × 9, × 7, × 5, × 3
286 × 9 = 2574
22. (1) : The sequence is
– 2, – 4, – 8, – 16, – 32, –64.
296 – 64 = 232.
23. (3) : The sequence is
× 1.5, × 2.5, × 3.5, × 4.5,
× 5.5 × 6.5
8 × 1.5 = 12.
24. (3) : The sequence is
2 3 2 3 2 3
1 , 2 , 3 ,4 ,5 ,6
4 + 23
= 12.
25. (2) : The sequence is
÷ 5, ÷ 4 alternately
125 ÷ 5 = 25.
26. (4) : Work done by 6 women in
6 days
5
3
10
6
Work done by 10 children in
6 days
5
2
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 137
10 children can do the work in
2
5
6 = 15 days
27. (3) : Sneha’s monthly income
=
12
342000
= Rs. 28500
Akruti’s monthly income
= 28500
95
116
= Rs. 34800
Akruti’s annual income
= 34800 × 12
= Rs. 417600
28. (4) : Distance walked each day
=
4 7
36.3 1000
=120 m.
29. (3) : Let the numbers be a, a + 2,
a + 4, a + 6
a + a + 2 + a + 4 + a + 6
= 4 × 37 = 148
4a =148 – 12 = 136
a =34
A = 34, B = 36, C = 38,
D = 40
A × C = 34 × 38
= 1292
30. (1) : 50
N
20
N
=211.6
N = 460
N
2
1
=
2
460
= 230
31. (1) : The missing number is
= 8 × 474 – (533 + 128
+ 429 + 225 + 305 + 601
+ 804)
= 3792 – 3025
= 767
32. (2) : Perimeter of the square
= 56 cm
Side of the square = 4
56
= 14 cm
Perimeter of the rectangle
= 28 cm
2
56
Breadth of the rectangle
= 9 5 cm
2
28
Required difference
= 14 – 5 = 9 cm
33. (2) : Time taken by the truck
= 8 hrs
32
256
Average speed of the car
= 52 km hr.
8
256 160
34. (2) : Total marks obtained by
Sushil
= 103 + 111 + 98 + 110 + 88
= 510
Total maximum marks
= 600
85
510 100
Maximum marks in each
subject
= 120
5
600
35. (3) : Distance travelled in 1 m
20 sec.
= 3
4
60
39 6. 1000
= 880 m
Side of the square
= 220m
4
880
Area of the field
= 220 × 220 = 48400 sq.m.
36. (4) : Let Tanvi’s present age be
x years.
Tarun’s present age =
2
x
Vishal’s present age = 4
x
138 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
4
2
x
=
4
4
x
2
3
x + 8 = 12
4
x3
4
x
= 4
x =16 years
37. (2) : Let the amount be P
100
P 15 3
P
100
15 P 1
3
= 453.6
P(1.520875 – 1 – 0.45)
= 453.6
P = .0 070875
453 6.
= Rs. 6400
38. (4) : They will meet again after a
time equal to the LCM of
12, 8 and 15 seconds i.e. 120
second.
39. (4) : Let the number of students
be x.
2
x
3200
x 80
3200
Solving we get x = 400.
40. (5) :
96
?
6.1
= 4.0
?
24
(?)1.6 + 0.4 =24 × 96
(?)2
=242
× 22
? = 24 × 2
= 48
or ± 48.
41. (3) : Length of the rectangle
= 12m
2
35 11
Area of the circle = Area of
the rectangle
= 12 × 5.5
= 66 sq. m.
42. (1)
43. (5) : Cost price = 3740
55
100
= Rs. 6800
44. (2)
45. (4) : Length of the platform is
not given.
46. (2) : Let the rate be R%
Amount =16250 + 5616
= Rs. 21866
21866 =
2
100
R
16250 1
2
100
R
1
= .1 3456
16250
21866
100
R
1 =1.16
R = 16%
47. (3) : Teacher’s height
= 149 × 22 – 148 × 21
= 3278 – 3108
= 170 cm.
48. (1) : Area = r
2
=
2
2
35
7
22
= 962.5 sq. cm.
49. (1) : Cost Price = 5625
75
100
= Rs. 7500
Selling Price = 7500
100
125
= Rs. 9375
50. (5) : 57.0
7
4
77.0 ,
9
7
,6.0
5
3
.0 625
8
5
67.0 ,
3
2
Required difference
=
7
4
9
7
=
63
13
63
49 36
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 139
GENERAL INTELLIGENCE & REASONING
Directions (Qs. 1 to 6) : Select the
related word/letters/number from
the given alternatives.
1. 9 : 15 : : 21 : ?
(A) 35 (B) 15
(C) 45 (D) 25
2. AEIOU : UOIEA : : IJKLM : ?
(A) MJIKL (B) IMLKJ
(C) MNKLI (D) MLKJI
3. TSRQP : ONMLK : : JIHGF : ?
(A) EDACB (B) EDCBA
(C) EDBAC (D) EDCAB
4. Thermometer : Temperature : :
Opisometer : ?
(A) Liquid (B) Drugs
(C) Lines (D) Height
5. 1 : 1 : : 15 : ?
(A) 225 (B) 226
(C) 1 (D) 15
6. Three : Triplets : : Four : ?
(A) Quadets (B) Quadruplets
(C) Foursome (D) Team
Directions (Qs. 7 to 12) : Find the
odd word/letters/number pair from
the given alternatives.
7. (A) RISH (B) TGUF
(C) NMOL (D) PKQI
8. (A) 28 - 32 (B) 21 - 24
(C) 70 - 80 (D) 54 - 62
9. (A) Green tiger beetle
(B) Beagle
(C) Ladybird
(D) Stag beetle
10. (A) Ladies’ fingers
(B) Grapes
(C) Mango
(D) Orange
11. (A) 144 (B) 152
(C) 38 (D) 114
12. (A) EGIL (B) MOQS
(C) BDFH (D) PRTV
Directions (Qs. 13 & 14) : Which
one of the given responses would be
a meaningful order of the following ?
13. 1. Scavenger 2. Consumers
3. Decomposers 4. Producers
(A) (4), (1), (3), (2)
(B) (3), (2), (1), (4)
(C) (1), (2), (3), (4)
(D) (4), (2), (1), (3)
14. Arrange the following words as
per order in the dictionary :
1. Repressive
2. Repressed
3. Represent
4. Reprisal
(A) (3), (4), (2), (1)
(B) (3), (2), (4), (1)
(C) (3), (2), (1), (4)
(D) (3), (1), (4), (2)
Directions (Qs. 15 to 18) : Choose
the correct alternative from the given
ones which will complete the series.
15. 18, 23, 21, 26, ?
(A) 24 (B) 23
(C) 31 (D) 33
140 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
16. BA5, CC4, ? GG2, KI1
(A) DE3 (B) DB3
(C) EB3 (D) EE3
17. BXD, EUG, HRJ, KOM, ?
(A) N L P(B) Q J S
(C) H O M (D) N M O
18. 2, 29, 56, 83 ?
(A) 112 (B) 135
(C) 120 (D) 110
19. In certain code PUBLIC is
written as LICPUB, in that code
TARGET is written as :
(A) RATTGE (B) TEGATR
(C) TEGRAT (D) GETTAR
20. From the given alternatives select
the word which cannot be formed using
the letters of the given word.
COOPERATIVE
(A) Opec (B) Active
(C) Operative (D) Per capita
21. If GEMINI is coded as ‘467898’
and MIINGEM is coded as ‘7889467’,
then how can ‘OLYMPIC’ be coded ?
(A) 2357180 (B) 2357018
(C) 2350781 (D) 2350187
22. Which two mathematical symbols
you must put into this sum to equal 57 ?
76_____15_____20 = 57
(A) + and (B) × and
(C) × and + (D) and +
23. I go 20 m to the North - West of
my house. Then I go 20 m to the
South - West of my house and then again
20 m to the South - East. Now I turn
towards my house. In which direction
am I going now ?
(A) South - West
(B) North - West
(C) South - East
(D) North - East
24. D is taller than C, but shorter than
E; B is shorter than C and A is taller
than E. Who is the tallest ?
(A) E
(B) A
(C) C
(D) D
25. Some equations are solved on the
basis of a certain system. Find the
correct answer for the unsolved equation
on that basis :
(a) 9 + 8 + 7 = 8
(b) 6 + 4 + 2 = 4
(c) 5 + 4 + 9 = ?
(A) 6 (B) 7
(C) 5 (D) 3
Directions (Qs. 26 to 28) : In these
questions, select the missing number
from the given responses.
26. 80 60 ?
40 30 20
60 50 40
(A) 30 (B) 40
(C) 140 (D) 20
27. ?, 49, 36
49, 25, 16
64, 36, 25
(A) 64 (B) 81
(C) 25 (D) 49
28. 16, 36, 64
9, 25, 49
4, 16, ?
(A) 81 (B) 100
(C) 36 (D) 25
29. One morning after sunrise, Rajan
was standing facing a pole. The shadow
of the pole fell exactly to his left. Which
direction was he facing ?
(A) North
(B) West
(C) South
(D) East
30. P is 35 m South-West of Q, R is
55 m South-East of Q, then R is in
which direction of P ?
(A) North
(B) South
(C) East
(D) West
Directions (Qs. 31 & 32) : In these
questions, two statements are given
followed by two Conclusions/
Assumptions I and II. You have to
consider the statements to be true,
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 141
even if it seems to be at variance from
commonly known facts. You are to
decide which of the given
conclusions can definitely be drawn
from the given statements. Select
your answer accordingly.
31. Statement :
One should not sleep under a tree.
Assumption :
I. The falling leaves may spoil clothes.
II. Tree gives out CO2 at night which
is injurious to health.
(A) Both (I) and (II) are implicit
(B) Neither (I) nor (II) is implicit
(C) Only (I) is implicit
(D) Only (II) is implicit
32. Statement :
These apples are too expensive
to be bad.
Conclusions :
I. When apples are in short supply
the prices go up.
II. The higher the price the superior
the quality of apples.
(A) Neither I nor II follows
(B) Both I and II follow
(C) Only I follows
(D) Only II follows
Directions (Qs. 33 & 34) : In these
questions, you are given an address
of a town/city and a date followed
by four alternatives. Of these, only
one matches while the others have
some mistakes. You have to choose
exactly the same the given one as
your answer.
33. Mr. Shah,
G14, 2nd Floor, K.K. Road,
Bangarpet, Hyderabad - 634 444.
(A) Mr. Shah,
G14, 2nd floor, K.K. Road,
Bangapet - Hyderabad, 634 444.
(B) Mr. Shah,
G14, 2nd Floor, K.K. Road,
Bangarpet, Hyderabad - 634 444.
(C) Mr. Shah,
G14, 2nd Floor, K.K. Road,
Bangarpet, Hyderabad - 644444
(D) Mr. Shah,
G14, 2nd Floor, R.K. Road,
Bangarpet, Hyderabad - 634 444.
34. Delhi, December 13th, 2001
(A) Delhii, December 13th, 2001.
(B) Delhii, December 13th, 2001
(C) Delhi, December 13th, 2001
(D) Delhi, December 12th, 2001
Directions (Qs. 35 & 36) : In these
questions, you are given some roll
numbers of candidates registered at
different centres for an examination.
The first two digits from the left stand
for the centre code and the next four
for the serial number of the
candidates registered at the centre.
Answer the questions based on the
roll numbers.
35. 010094 080001 031904 041823 070234
070342 101981 010198 038118 170513
100015 150573 180032 160047 010148
060732 061736 120005 031431 031863
030073 050001 060014 090005 061002
How many candidates belong to centre
06 ?
(A) 4 (B) 2
(C) 5 (D) 3
36. 010094 080001 031904 180032 070234
070342 101981 041823 120005 170513
100015 150573 032118 060014 010148
060732 061736 160047 031437 031863
030073 050001 010198 090005 061002
In which centre does the serial number
1904 occur ?
(A) 06
(B) 04
(C) 08
(D) 03
37. In the alphabets from A to Z
which is the third letter to the right of
the letter which is in midway between K
and S ?
(A) P
(B) O
(C) R
(D) Q
142 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
38. Your feelings are disrespected by
your teacher in front of other students.
(A) Avoid your teacher when he’s
being disrespectful.
(B) Meet the principal and confront.
(C) You have to be careful in dealing
with him/her to avoid negative
consequences.
(D) Empathise with your teacher
without disrespecting yourself
saying ‘I am sorry for that’.
39. When a person shouts at you very
badly in public you will :
(A) ignore and walk out
(B) allow the person to shout at you
(C) explain him and make him
understand (not to shout)
(D) shout at the person
40. Either Rama is a teacher or a
counsellor :
(A) Rama is not a teacher or a
counsellor
(B) Rama is not a counsellor
(C) Rama is a teacher and not a
counsellor
(D) Rama is not a teacher
41. A group of students go on strike
due to poor hostel facilities. The principal
should :
(A) Listen to the students and talk to
the warden
(B) Should warn the students and talk
to the warden
(C) Give T.C. to the students and talk
to the parents
(D) Inform the parents of the
students
42. A starts walking, from a point P.
A goes west-ward and covers a distance
of 4 km and then turns to his right and
walks 3 km. How far A is from the
starting point ?
(A) 2 km
(B) 5 km
(C) 7 km
(D) 9 km
43. You are a salesman, selling books
from door to door. You have come out
of the last ten houses empty-handed.
What would you do now ?
(A) I’ll stop the work for the day, go
home and take rest.
(B) I’ll go home, take bath, change
my dress and then start going
rounds.
(C) I’ll try to identify the reasons why
I’ve not sold a book that day and
try to rectify them.
(D) I’ll continue knocking at more
doors and try to impress people
with more talk.
Directions (Qs. 44 & 45) : In these
questions, identify the diagram that
best represents the relationship
among classes given below :
44. Mammals, Cows and Crows.
(A) (B) (C) (D)
45. Water, Salt and Sugar
(A) (B) (C) (D)
46. A piece of paper is folded and
cut as shown below in the question
figures. From the given answer figures,
indicate how it will appear when opened
Question Figures :
Answer Figures
(A) (B) (C) (D)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 143
47. Which answer figure will
complete the pattern in the question
figure ?
Question Figure :
Answer Figures
(A) (B) (C) (D)
48. Which is the mirror image of
WATERFALL ?
49. From the given answer figures,
select the one in which the question
figure is hidden/embedded.
Question Figure :
Answer Figures
(A) (B) (C) (D)
Directions (Qs. 50) : In this question
a word is represented by only one set of
numbers as given in any one of the
alternatives. The sets of numbers given
in the alternatives are represented by two
classes of alphabets as in the 2 matrices
given below. The columns and rows of
Matrix I are numbered from 0 to 4 and
that of Matrix II from 5 to 9. A letter from
these matrices can be represented first by
its row and next by column number. For
e.g., A can be represented by 12, 24 etc. R
can be represented by 57, 76 etc. Identify
the set for the given word :
SOLE
MATRIX-I
MATRIX-II
(A) 41, 57, 87, 31
(B) 21, 75, 44, 02
(C) 02, 78, 87, 13
(D) 33, 99, 66, 44
ANSWERS
1. (A) : 3 3 9 and 3 5 15
Similarly 7 3 21 and
7 5 35
2. (D): A E I O U U O I E A
Similarly
I J K L M M L K J I.
(Written in reverse order)
3. (B)
4. (C)
5. (A) : 12 1
Similarly 152 225
6. (B)
144 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
7. (D): In all others, First letter to
Third letter + 1 step
Second letter to Fourth letter
1 step
8. (D): In all others, 1st number is a
multiple of 7 and second
number is a multiple of 8.
9. (B)
10. (A) : All others are fruits.
11. (A) : The only number that is a
perfect square.
(Also, all others are multiples
of 19).
12. (A) : In all others one letter is
missing between two
successive letters.
13. (D) 14. (C)
15. (A) : The sequence is,
Numbers at odd places + 3
Numbers at even places + 3
16. (D)
17. (A) : The sequence is,
First letter + 3 steps
2nd letter 3 steps
3rd letter + 3 steps
18. (D): The sequence is + 27
19. (D): P U B L I C
L I C P U B
Similarly
T A R G E T
G E T T A R
20. (D): There is only one ‘a’ in the
given word.
21. (A)
22. (B) : 76 15 20 = 57
23. (D)
24. (B) : E > D > C
C > B
A > E
A > E > D > C > B
A is the tallest
25. (A) : The number on the RHS is
the average of the numbers
on LHS.
26. (A) 27. (B) 28. (C) 29. (A)
30. (C) 31. (D) 32. (D) 33. (B)
34. (C)
35. (A) : 060732, 061736, 061002,
060014.
36. (D): 031904
37. (C)
38. (D)
39. (C)
40. (C)
41. (A)
42. (B) :
Required distance
PQ = 2 2 3 4 5 km
43. (C)
44. (D)
45. (D)
46. (C)
47. (C)
48. (D)
49. (B)
50. (D)
<
4 km
3 km
P
Q
<
N
S
W E
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 145
PART - II : GENERAL AWARENESS
51. Who was the first Indian to
become the President of UN General
Assembly ?
(A) Natwar Singh
(B) Krishna Menon
(C) Ms. Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit
(D) Ramesh Bhandari
52. The confluence of rivers
Bhagirathi and Alaknanda is at :
(A) Rudra Prayag
(B) Vishnu Prayag
(C) Karn Prayag
(D) Dev Prayag
53. Which State is called the
‘agricultural epitome’ of India ?
(A) Tamil Nadu
(B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) West Bengal
(D) Uttar Pradesh
54. Hydrogen Sulphide is :
(A) Yellowish gas with pungent
odour.
(B) Colourless gas with rotten egg
smell.
(C) Reddish brown gas with fishy
odour.
(D) Colourless, odourless gas.
55. The RBI Governor is :
(A) Montek Singh Ahluwalia
(B) Kaushik Basu
(C) Arvind Mayaram
(D) Shaktikanta Das
56. Hydrophobia is
(A) Like for water
(B) Itch mite
(C) Vomiting
(D) Fear for water
57. Find the incorrect pair :
(A) Sariska Sanctuary - Rajasthan
(B) Annamalai Sanctuary - Tamil Nadu
(C) Periyar Sanctuary - Andhra
Pradesh
(D) Bandipur Sanctuary - Karnataka
58. Who appoints the AttorneyGeneral of India ?
(A) President of India
(B) Law Minister of the Union
(C) Prime Minister of India
(D) Chief Minister of India
59. Point out from the following the
first woman Speaker of Lok Sabha ?
(A) Sonia Gandhi
(B) Sushma Swaraj
(C) Margaret Alva
(D) Meera Kumar
60. Which boundary line separates
India from Pakistan ?
(A) Radcliffe Line
(B) 17th Parallel
(C) Durand Line
(D) McMahon Line
61. Any dispute in connection with
the election of Vice-President of India :
(A) Should be referred to Election
Commission
(B) May be filed in the Supreme
Court
(C) Must be filed in the Supreme
Court
(D) May be filed in the High Court
62. Blue and White Revolutions are
related to :
(A) Poultry and Dairying
(B) Fisheries and Dairying
(C) Fisheries and Agriculture
(D) Fisheries and Edible oil
63. Lake Lonar is situated in :
(A) Kerala (B) Maharashtra
(C) Gujarat (D) Tamil Nadu
64. ICC World Test Championship
2023 held in London was won by
(A) India
(B) England
(C) Australia
(D) New Zealand
65. The New Zealanders are also
known as :
(A) Sams
(B) Kiwis
(C) Ashes
(D) None of the above
146 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
66. The largest source of pollution in
the world is :
(A) Automobile exhausts
(B) Herbicides and pesticides
(C) Industrial affluents
(D) Sewage and garbage
67. Among the following liquids
which one evaporates faster ?
(A) Water (B) Alcohol
(C) Petrol (C) Kerosene
68. Wheat harvesting is an example
of :
(A) Gravity separation
(B) Chromatographic separation
(C) Fractional distillation
(D) Extraction
69. A perfect market situation exists
when :
(A) There are large number of buyers
and sellers.
(B) There are large number of firms
and small number of buyers.
(C) There are small number of firms
in an industry.
(D) The firms are not independent
of each other.
70. The only organisation concerned
with children’s welfare all over the world
is :
(A) UNICEF (B) UNFP
(C) UNESCO (D) UNIDO
71. Who is the author of ‘Das
Capital’ ?
(A) Dostoevsky (B) Maxim Gorki
(C) Lenin (D) Karl Marx
72. Expand ‘RAM’ of computer
memory :
(A) Random Access Memory
(B) Random Average Memory
(C) Read Access Memory
(D) Read After Memory
73. Sir C.V. Raman was awarded
Nobel Prize for his experiment on :
(A) deflection of light
(B) scattering of light
(C) dispersion of light
(D) reflection of light
74. Which of the following pairs is
not correct ?
(A) Holkar Trophy - Tennis
(B) Hero Honda Indian Open - Golf
(C) Deodhar Trophy - Cricket
(D) Subroto Cup - Football
75. Which of the following makes the
major contribution to the revenue of
Indian Railways ?
(A) Goods traffic earnings
(B) Sundry earnings
(C) Passenger earnings
(D) Coaching earnings
76. Breathing roots are seen in :
(A) Halophytes (B) Epiphytes
(C) Hydrophytes (D) Xerophytes
77. Which of the following is not a
member of G-20 ?
(A) Bangladesh
(B) India
(C) Saudi Arabia
(D) European Central Bank
78. Which layer of atmosphere
enables us to have wireless
communication ?
(A) Stratosphere
(B) Thermosphere
(C) Mesosphere
(D) Troposphere
79. The gas used in balloons is :
(A) Oxygen
(B) Carbon dioxide
(C) Helium
(D) Hydrogen
80. National Civil Services Day is
observed on
(A) March 14
(B) April 28
(C) April 21
(D) May 21
81. Who among the following is not
related with 1857 Mutiny ?
(A) Mangal Pandey
(B) Chandrashekhar Azaad
(C) Rani Lakshmibai
(D) Nana Saheb
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 147
82. In which of the following
medium sound travels faster ?
(A) Iron bar (B) Steam
(C) Water (D) Carbon dioxide
83. Which of the following is a nonbiodegradable pollutant ?
(A) Fruits (B) Plastic
(C) Mud (D) Leaves
84. The Mangrove forests of the
Ganges Delta are known as :
(A) Sundarbans
(B) Evergreen forests
(C) Scrub vegetation
(D) Monsoon forests
85. Who built Fatehpur Sikri ?
(A) Shershah (B) Shah Jahan
(C) Babur (D) Akbar
86. Which of the following is an
example of joint sector enterprises in
India ?
(A) Bharath Aluminium Ltd.
(B) Maruti Udyog Ltd.
(C) Indian Oil Corporation
(D) Hindustan Antibiotics
87. Who is the author of the book
‘Lajja’ ?
A) Tasleema Nasreen .
(B) Shakti Mazumdar
(C) Kiran Bedi
(D) Anuradha Rai
88. The transmission of data from a
local computer to remote computer is
called :
(A) Installation (B) Configuration
(C) Download (D) Upload
89. How many ventricles are there in
human brain ?
(A) 4 (B) 5
(C) 2 (D) 3
90. Fructose is called :
(A) Fruit sugar (B) Cane sugar
(C) Grape sugar (D) Beet sugar
91. Oxygen is a :
(A) Supporter of combustion
(B) Constituent of all gases
(C) Combustible gas
(D) Reducing agent
92. The so called 'Black Hole' tragedy
refers to :
(A) Alleged imprisonment of 123
Englishmen in a small room
resulting in death of most of them.
(B) Confinement of English
Prisoners in a Palace.
(C) Imprisoning the English women
and children in room without any
window.
(D) Covering the heads of English
Prisoners with black masks.
93. Spot the odd one from the
following :
(A) Kalapakkam (B) Narora
(C) Tarapur (D) Trombay
94. Circulatory system of starfish is
called :
(A) Water vascular system
(B) Haemal system
(C) Canal system
(D) Gastrovascular system
95. Identify the odd one among the
following :
(A) SJSRJ : Swarn Jayanti Shahari
Rojgar Yojna
(B) NOAPS : National Old Age
Pension Scheme
(C) NREGS : National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme
(D) SGSY : Swarnajayanti Gram
Swarojgar Yojna
96. The study of the relation of
animals and plants to their surroundings
is called :
(A) Geneology (B) Iconology
(C) Ecology (D) Ethnology
97. Which of the following is not a
unit of energy ?
(A) N-m (B) Joule
(C) W-s (D) Kg-m/s
98. Which European statesman was
called the \"Iron Chancellor\" ?
(A) Moltke
(B) Otto Von Bismarck
(C) Metternich
(D) William I
148 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
99. The human body gets most of
its energy, from plant foods, in the form
of :
(A) Minerals
(B) Vitamins
(C) Carbohydrates
(D) Proteins
100. Who was the Constitutional
Advisor to the Constituent Assembly at
the time of framing the Indian
Constitution ?
(A) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
(B) B.N. Rau
(C) Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
(D) Jawaharlal Nehru
ANSWERS
51. (C) 52. (D) 53. (D) 54. (B)
55. (D) 56. (D) 57. (C) 58. (A)
59. (D) 60. (A) 61. (C) 62. (B)
63. (B) 64. (C) 65. (B) 66. (C)
67. (C) 68. (A) 69. (D) 70. (A)
71. (D) 72. (A) 73. (B) 74. (A)
75. (A) 76. (A) 77. (A) 78. (B)
79. (C) 80. (C) 81. (B) 82. (A)
83. (B) 84. (A) 85. (D) 86. (B)
87. (A) 88. (D) 89. (A) 90. (A)
91. (A) 92. (A) 93. (D) 94. (A)
95. (B) 96. (C) 97. (D) 98. (B)
99. (C) 100. (B)
PART - III : ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND
COMPREHENSION
Directions (Qs. 101 to 110) : Some
parts of the sentences have errors
and some are correct. Find out which
part of a sentence (A), (B), or (C)
has an error and mark that part as
your answer. If a sentence is free
from error, then mark (D) as your
answer.
101. In the modern age (A)/ twenty
miles are (B)/ not a long distance to be
covered. (C)/ No error (D)
102. Did he came (A)/ to see you (B)/
yesterday evening? (C)/ No error (D)
103. No one know (A)/ who
solved (B)/ these sums. (C)/ No
error (D)
104. A parent has (A)/ much
duties (B)/ towards his child (C)/ No
error (D)
105. Rosy hadn't been (A)/ to Shimla
for ten years (B)/ and was really looking
forward to see it again. (C)/ No
error (D)
106. It's very important (A)/ to attend
(B)/ to all the classes. (C)/ No
error (D)
107. The security guard kept awake
(A)/ lest no stranger should (B)/ not
enter the house unnoticed. (C)/ No error
(D)
108. A dodo was (A)/ the large
flightless bird (B)/ found in Mauritius.
(C)/ No error (D)
109. Once (A)/ you learnt to swim,
(B)/ you will never forget it. (C)/ No
error (D)
110. What surprises me (A)/ is his
absolute indifference (B)/ for the entire
tragedy. (C)/ No error (D)
Directions (Qs. 111 to 115) :
Sentences are given with blanks to be
filled in with an appropriate word(s).
Four alternatives are suggested for
each question. Choose the correct
alternative out of the four.
111. Hamlet wanted to ___________
the death of his father who was
treacherously killed by his mother's lover.
(A) vindicate
(B) forgive
(C) avenge
(D) revenge
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 149
112. I was taken __________ by the
shocking news of his demise.
(A) after
(B) aback
(C) ahead
(D) away
113. The disease spread throughout the
village because it was highly______.
(A) courageous
(B) nauseous
(C) outrageous
(D) contagious
114. The present________ is not as
powerful as the previous one.
(A) school
(B) block
(C) wing
(D) board
115. Our flight was ________ from
Jaipur to Agra airport.
(A) diverted
(B) reverted
(C) deflected
(D) shifted
Directions (Qs. 116 to 120) : Out of
the four alternatives, choose the one
which best expresses the meaning of
the given word.
116. Tenacity
(A) ability (B) despair
(C) stubbornness (D) roughness
117. Vacant
(A) rare (B) vacuum
(C) occupied (D) full
118. Peaceful
(A) danger (B) release
(C) fury (D) tranquil
119. Furore
(A) attraction (B) enjoyment
(C) celebration (D) excitement
120. Bedlam
(A) lover
(B) clamour
(C) roar
(D) lout
Directions (Qs. 121 to 125) : Choose
the word opposite in meaning to the
given word.
121. Sprightly
(A) dull
(B) lose
(C) mild
(D) fast
122. Industrious
(A) undesirable
(B) irritable
(C) sluggish
(D) annoyed
123. Wreck
(A) salvage
(B) construct
(C) free
(D) loosen
124. Vigorous
(A) feeble
(B) smart
(C) brave
(D) eager
125. Confess
(A) discourage
(B) decrease
(C) deny
(D) dissent
Directions (Qs. 126 to 130) : In these
questions, the sentence/passage is split
into four parts and named P, Q, R and
S. These four parts are not given in
their proper order. Read the sentence/
passage and find out which of the four
combinations is correct. Then find the
correct answer.
126. P. In an age
Q. you are living
R. when there are
S. great opportunities for women
(A) P Q R S
(B) Q P R S
(C) S R P Q
(D) R S P Q
150 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
127. P. That we are more civilised than
our ancestors
Q. is the prevailing belief
R. one of the
S. great delusions of modern
times
(A) Q R S P
(B) R S Q P
(C) R P Q S
(D) S Q R P
128. P. Seems like a perfect holiday
Q. watching the sun sink
R. sitting on the beach and
S. into the blue sea
(A) Q R P S
(B) Q S P R
(C) R Q S P
(D) R P Q S
129. P. Country in the world
Q. celebrated with as
R. Here, festivals are
S. much passion as in any
(A) S P R Q
(B) R Q S P
(C) P Q R S
(D) Q P S R
130. P. The Olympics start
Q. in the stadium of a torch
R. lighted on Mount Olympus by
the sun's rays
S. with the arrival
(A) R P Q S
(B) Q P S R
(C) P S Q R
(D) S P R Q
Directions (Qs. 131 to 135) : Four
alternatives are given for the Idiom/
Phrase underlined in the sentence.
Choose the alternative which best
expresses the meaning of the Idiom/
Phrase.
131. The road roller proved to be
a white elephant for Mr. Raman.
(A) an albino pachyderm
(B) a burdensome possession
(C) a symbol of royalty
(D) an exotic beast of burden
132. Before going to the party, the
children were told to mind their p's and
q's.
(A) to complete their homework
(B) to dress up properly
(C) to take care of their behaviour
(D) to learn the alphabet
133. I cannot allow you to take liberties
with me.
(A) do whatever you want
(B) share my liberty
(C) treat me disrespectfully
(D) fool around
134. I will be back in two shakes.
(A) with two milkshakes
(B) very soon
(C) in two minutes
(D) with a bang
135. The king of metals is becoming
dearer by the day.
(A) gold (B) diamonds
(C) platinum (D) iron
Directions (Qs. 136 to 145) : A
sentence has been given in Active/
Passive Voice. Out of the four
alternatives suggested, select the one
which best expresses the same sentence
in Passive/Active Voice and mark your
answer accordingly.
136. The room has been cleaned by
Jill.
(A) Jill is cleaning her room.
(B) Jill will clean her room.
(C) Jill cleans her room.
(D) Jill has cleaned her room.
137. The bench has dismissed the
petition.
(A) The petition is being dismissed by
the bench.
(B) The petition was dismissed by the
bench.
(C) The petition has been dismissed
by the bench.
(D) The petition has dismissed by the
bench.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 151
138. The manager has not signed the
cheques carefully.
(A) The cheques were not signed
carefully by the manager.
(B) The cheques have not been signed
carefully by the manager.
(C) The cheques has been not signed
carefully by the manager.
(D) The cheques have been not signed
carefully by the manager.
139. The dogs were chasing the girl.
(A) The girl were chased by the dogs.
(B) The girl had been chased by the
dogs.
(C) The girl was being chased by the
dogs.
(D) The girl was chased by the dogs.
140. He had completed the work.
(A) The work has been completed by
him.
(B) The work was completed by him.
(C) The work had been completed by
him.
(D) The work is completed by him.
141. Computers can perform
complicated calculations.
(A) Complicated calculations would
be performed by computers.
(B) Complicated calculations will be
performed by computers.
(C) Complicated calculations could be
performed by computers.
(D) Complicated calculations can be
performed by computers.
142. A poem was being written by me.
(A) I had been writing a poem.
(B) I am writing a poem.
(C) I was writing a poem.
(D) I have been writing a poem.
143. We expect that they will elect him.
(A) It is expected that he will have
been elected.
(B) It is expected that they would elect
him.
(C) It was expected that they will elect
him.
(D) It is expected that he will be
elected.
144. We sent a message of
congratulations to her.
(A) A message of congratulations are
sent to her.
(B) A message of congratulations is
sent to hen
(C) A message of congratulations will
be sent to her.
(D) A message of congratulations was
sent to her (by us).
145. We will finish the lessons before
this month.
(A) The lessons are being finished
before this month.
(B) The lessons will be finished
before this months (by
us).
(C) The lessons will have finished
before this month.
(D) The lessons will finish before this
month.
Directions (Qs. 146 to 155) : A
sentence/a part of the sentence is
underlined. Below are given
alternatives to the underlined part at
(A), (B), (C) which may improve the
sentence. Choose the correct
alternative. In case no improvement
is needed your answer is (D).
146. He is senior than me.
(A) to
(B) by
(C) over
(D) No improvement
147. The conduct of many students
are not what they should be.
(A) The conduct of many students is
not what they should be.
(B) The conducts of many students
are not what they should be.
152 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
(C) The conduct of many students is
not what it should be.
(D) No improvement
148. That is it's name.
(A) That is its name.
(B) That name is its.
(C) That name is it's.
(D) No improvement.
149. Jameel was instructed to complete
the task by Monday.
(A) Monday
(B) Until Monday
(C) Upto Monday
(D) No improvement
150. It seemed he was possessed with
a demon.
(A) It seemed he was possessed by a
demon.
(B) It seemed he was possessed of a
demon.
(C) It possessed he seemed of a
demon.
(D) No improvement
151. Two hundred people have been
employed by the company.
(A) Two hundred people are
employed by the company.
(B) The company employed two
hundred people.
(C) The company has employed two
hundred people.
(D) No improvement
152. You should carry an umbrella as
because it is raining.
(A) You should carry an umbrella
because it is raining.
(B) Because it is raining, you should
carry an umbrella.
(C) The rain is the because as you
should carry an umbrella.
(D) No improvement
153. Her parents always impressed her
in her studies.
(A) trained
(B) taught
(C) encouraged
(D) No improvement
154. He gave me a ten-rupees note.
(A) ten-rupee
(B) tens-rupees
(C) tens-rupee
(D) No improvement
155. The ship sank and all his
passengers were drowned.
(A) all her passengers
(B) all its passengers
(C) all their passengers
(D) No improvement
Directions (Qs. 156 to 165) : A
sentence has been given in Direct/
Indirect. Out of the four alternatives
suggested, select the one which best
expresses the same sentence in
Indirect/Direct.
156. She said to me, \"Why have you
failed\" ?
(A) She asked me why do I fail.
(B) She asked me why had I failed.
(C) She asked me why did I fail.
(D) She asked me why I had failed.
157. \"Bless his kind heart\" ! they cried.
(A) They cried that his kind heart needs
blessing.
(B) They bless him that he has a kind
heart.
(C) They said that he had a blessed
and kind heart.
(D) They blessed him for his kind
heart.
158. I said, \"Who knew that this would
happen\" !
(A) I said that none knew that, that
would happen.
(B) I said that none knew that this
should happen.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 153
(C) I asked who knew what should
happen.
(D) I asked who knew that this should
happen.
159. The customer asked the salesman
whether he knew where the manager was.
(A) The customer asked the salesman,
\"Do you know where the
manager is\" ?
(B) The customer said to the
salesman, \"Can I meet the
manager\" ?
(C) The customer wanted to know,
\"Where is the manager\" ?
(D) The customer demanded of the
salesman, \"Where is the
manager\" ?
160. He said, \"What a nice thing it is\" !
(A) He asked what a nice thing it is.
(B) He exclaimed that it was a nice
thing.
(C) He enquired what a nice thing it
was.
(D) He said that it is a very nice thing.
161. \"Do you know the person we are
talking about\" ? Karim said to his friend.
(A) His friend was asked by Karim if
he knew the person they are
talking about.
(B) Karim asked his friend if he knew
the person they were talking
about.
(C) His friend asked Karim if he
knew the person they were talking
about.
(D) Karim asked his friend if he
knows the person they were
talking about.
162. \"Please lend me your pen for
some time\", Seema said to Jyoti.
(A) Seema said to Jyoti that she
should lend her, her pen.
(B) Jyoti asked Seema to lend her, her
pen.
(C) Please lend me your pen for some
time Seema said to Jyoti.
(D) Seema requested Jyoti to lend her,
her pen.
163. He said to me, \"Let us go home\".
(A) He asked me to let us go home.
(B) He proposed that we should go
home.
(C) He suggested to me about going
home.
(D) He said to me that we should let
us go home.
164. She said to me, \"Have you seen
the man who came to me the other day\" ?
(A) She asked me whether I had seen
the man who came to her the
other day.
(B) She said to me have I seen the
man who came to her the other
day.
(C) She asked me if I had seen the
man who came to me the other
day.
(D) She asked me if I have seen the
man who came to her the other
day.
165. The mother told her son that if
he lied, he would be punished.
(A) The mother said, \"Son, if you lie,
you will be punished\".
(B) The mother said to his son, \"Do
not lie otherwise you will be
punished\"
(C) The mother said, \"Son, if you
lied, you would be punished\".
(D) \"Son\", said the mother, \"you told
a lie so you will be punished\".
Directions (Qs. 166 to 185) : In the
following passages, some of the words
have been left out. Read the passages
carefully and choose the correct
answer to each question out of the
four alternatives and fill in the blanks.
154 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
Passage - I
When you are driving abroad you
should make sure that you have all your
documents with you. These ...(166)...
your passport, your driving licence and
insurance papers. It ...(167)... be very
inconvenient if you ...(168)... any of
these or if you cannot find ...(169)...
quickly. You must also make sure that
your car has a nationality plate which
shows the country where the car is
registered; for ...(170)... GB for Great
Britain, F for France, N for Norway and
so on. In some ...(171)... you have to
pay if you don't ...(172)... motoring laws
and this can sometimes cost you a lot
of money. For instance, you may have
to pay immediately if you are stopped
by a police officer for taking no notice
of traffic lights, speed ...(173)... or if
you allow children ...(174)... the age of
twelve to ...(175)... in the front seat of
the vehicle.
166. (A) include (B) made
(C) contain (D) mean
167. (A) is (B) has
(C) can (D) should
168. (A) pass (B) miss
(C) hide (D) lose
169. (A) them (B) their
(C) those (D) that
170. (A) example (B) general
(C) once (D) fact
171. (A) routes (B) countries
(C) positions (D) ways
172. (A) obey (B) allow
(C) do (D) continue
173. (A) numbers (B) marks
(C) limits (D) spots
174. (A) lower (B) over
(C) behind (D) under
175. (A) follow (B) travel
(C) wait (D) pass
Passage - II
Yoga was a ...(176)... of self-realisation
in the Upanishads. The system of Yoga
was ...(177)... on the ...(178)... of selfcontrol. A ...(179)... course of selfdiscipline was ...(180)... through hatha
yoga, raja yoga and jnana yoga and
...(181)... man from physical to mental,
from ...(182)... to spiritual discipline, stage
by ...(183).... Without physical cleansing
no mental discipline was ...(184)... and
without mental discipline no spiritual
discipline was ...(185)....
176. (A) path
(B) route
(C) way
(D) means
177. (A) based
(B) realised
(C) developed
(D) controlled
178. (A) principle (B) principal
(C) thought (D) idea
179. (A) thorough (B) full
(C) complete (D) serious
180. (A) attainable (B) got
(C) achieved (D) fulfilled
181. (A) prepared (B) trained
(C) equipped (D) moulded
182. (A) mental
(B) mentality
(C) psychological
(D) physiological
183. (A) practice (B) practising
(C) stages (D) stage
184. (A) impossible
(B) achieved
(C) possible
(D) attainable
185. (A) impossible
(B) achieved
(C) attainable
(D) probable
Directions (Qs. 186 to 200) : You
have three brief passage with 5
questions following each passage.
Read the passages carefully and choose
the best answer to each question out
of the four alternatives.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 155
Passage - I
What makes good conversation ? In
the first place, it is essentially a mutual
search for the essence of things. It is a
zestful transaction, not a briefing or a
lecture. Russian poet, Alexander Pushkin
correctly identified the willingness to
listen as one of the vital ingredients of
any exchange. When two people are
talking at the same time, it is not
conversation; it is collision— nothing is
more destructive of good talk than an
over-zealous football dribbler playing to
the crowd. Pity the husband or wife with
a garrulous mate who insists on talking
long past the point where he or she has
anything to say. To be meaningful, a
conversation should head in a general
direction. It has been said that if speech
is silver, silence is gold. Certainly silence
is preferable, under most circumstances,
to inconsequential chit-chat.
186. The word garrulous means_____
(A) annoying
(B) talkative
(C) noisy
(D) disturbing
187. A vital ingredient of conversation
is_____
(A) being like an over-zealous
footballer.
(B) being able to speak without
stopping.
(C) the ability to talk.
(D) the willingness to listen.
188. A good conversation should not
be :
(A) a lecture (B) a dialogue
(C) a discourse (D) a monologue
189. If speech is silver, silence is goldindicates that...
(A) silence is valuable
(B) silence is more precious than
speech
(C) speech is less important
(D) Both are valuable
190. According to the Author, \"in
Collision\" occurs when _________.
(A) two people listen at the same time.
(B) two people collide against each
other
(C) a single person talks too long.
(D) two people talk at the same time.
Passage - II
There is a need to preserve our natural
resources. The growth of population
leads to an increase in the demand for
food which means more space is required
for cultivation. Trees in the forests are cut
down to make way for more land for
farms and buildings. Animals are
decreasing in number due to widespread
poaching and the depletion of their
natural habitat. Many species are getting
extinct or are on the verge of extinction.
There is a need to conserve forests and
the wildlife within them. Trees are the
lifeline of society. Excessive felling of
trees can lead to various problems like
floods, droughts, climate change and lack
of resources. Therefore, for sustainable
development that is development that
fulfils the need of future generations, it
is important to save forest and wildlife.
191. What is the life line of society ?
(A) mountains
(B) rivers
(C) trees
(D) humans
192. Why is it important to save
forests and wildlife ?
(A) to improve tourism
(B) to save the animals
(C) for maintaining nature's beauty
(D) for sustainable development
193. Why is more space needed for
cultivation ?
(A) decrease in population
(B) development
(C) decrease in food supply
(D) growth of population
156 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
194. What has led to animal
extinction ?
(A) trade and commerce
(B) poaching
(C) lack of awareness
(D) industrial development
195. What has led to the change in
climate ?
(A) the drilling of wells
(B) the deforestation
(C) the killing of animals
(D) the construction of dams
Passage - III
The high speed winds have a lot of
energy in them as kinetic energy, due to
their motion. The driving force of the
winds is the sun. The wind energy is
harnessed by making use of wind mills.
The blades of the wind mill keep on
rotating continuously due to the force
of the striking wind. A large number of
wind mills are installed in clusters called
wind farms. These farms are ideally
located in coastal regions, open grasslands
or hilly regions, particularly mountain
passes and ridges where the winds are
strong and steady. Wind energy is very
useful as it does not cause any air
pollution. After the initial installation
cost, the wind energy is very cheap. It is
believed that by the middle of the
century wind power would supply more
than 10% of world's electricity.
196. What are wind farms ?
(A) the force of the striking wind
(B) high speed winds having a lot of
energy in them
(C) large number of wind mills
installed in clusters
(D) working of a wind generator
197. Where are the farms located ?
(A) in places where there are lots of
houses
(B) in industrial areas
(C) In areas where there are water
pumps and flour mills
(D) in areas where the winds are
strong and steady.
198. What is the driving force of the
winds ?
(A) the electric generators
(B) the sun
(C) the atmosphere
(D) the continuous rotation
199. How is wind energy harnessed ?
(A) by constructing a barrage
(B) by providing commercial energy
(C) by using steam turbine
(D) by making use of wind mills
200.Why is wind energy useful ?
(A) It can generate a lot of electricity
(B) It does not cause any air pollution
(C) It is easily affordable
(D) It can be utilised on a wide range
ANSWERS
101. (B) 102. (A) 103. (A) 104. (B)
105. (C) 106. (C) 107. (C) 108. (B)
109. (C) 110. (C) 111. (C) 112. (B)
113. (D) 114. (D) 115. (A) 116. (C)
117. (B) 118. (D) 119. (D) 120. (B)
121. (A) 122. (C) 123. (B) 124. (A)
125. (C) 126. (B) 127. (B) 128. (C)
129. (B) 130. (C) 131. (B) 132. (C)
133. (A) 134. (B) 135. (A) 136. (D)
137. (C) 138. (B) 139. (C) 140. (C)
141. (D) 142. (C) 143. (D) 144. (D)
145. (B) 146. (A) 147. (C) 148. (A)
149. (D) 150. (A) 151. (D) 152. (A)
153. (C) 154. (A) 155. (B) 156. (D)
157. (D) 158. (A) 159. (A) 160. (B)
161. (B) 162. (D) 163. (C) 164. (A)
165. (A) 166. (A) 167. (C) 168. (B)
169. (D) 170. (A) 171. (B) 172. (A)
173. (C) 174. (D) 175. (B) 176. (D)
177. (A) 178. (A) 179. (C) 180. (A)
181. (B) 182. (A) 183. (D) 184. (C)
185. (C) 186. (B) 187. (D) 188. (A)
189. (B) 190. (D) 191. (C) 192. (D)
193. (D) 194. (B) 195. (B) 196. (C)
197. (D) 198. (B) 199. (D) 200. (B)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 157
1. A train, 120 metre long, takes
6 seconds to pass a man, who is running
in the opposite direction at the speed of
12 km/hr. The speed of the train in
km/hr is :
(A) 80 (B) 60 (C) 70 (D) 50
2. The selling price of a book after
20% discount is Rs. 48. The marked price
(in Rs.) of the book is :
(A) 40 (B) 60
(C) 166.66 (D) 38.40
3. Guns are fired at intervals of
5 minutes at a certain place towards
which a train is approaching. A man in
the train hears two successive firing
sounds at intervals of 4 minutes 49
seconds. If sound travels at 1156 ft./
sec., speed of the train in miles per hour
(given 1 mile = 5280 ft.) is:
(A) 20 (B) 25 (C) 30 (D) 15
3. A dealer sold his goods at cost
price, but he used 950 gm weight for a
kilogram. His gain percentage due to this
false measurement is:
(A) %
19
3
5 (B) %
19
5
5
(C) %
19
7
5 (D) %
19
1
5
5. The selling price of 10 articles is
equal to the cost price of 8 articles. The
loss percentage is :
(A) 20 (B) 25 (C) 30 (D) 15
6. The rate of simple interest per
annum equivalent to 5% compound
interest payable half yearly is:
(A) 5.60% (B) 5.06%
(C) 5.52% (D) 5.25%
7. In a country, 80% of the
population live in villages. 90% of village
people are farmers and 70% of farmers
are landless. The percentage of landless
population is:
(A) 80% (B) 60%
(C) 50% (D) 50.4%
8. The marked price of a radio is
Rs. 480 and the rate of discount is 15%.
The amount of discount is :
(A) Rs. 75 (B) Rs. 72
(C) Rs. 65 (D) Rs. 60
9. Three dealers A, B, C are selling
similar T.V. sets. A allows successive
discounts of 25% and 15%; B allows
that of 10% and 30%, while C offers a
single discount of 36%. Then :
(A) A’s offer is the best
(B) B’s offer is the best
(C) C’s offer is the best
(D) All the offers are the same
10. The value of
12 3 15 5 42
2 7 8 5 3 81
is
(A) 5 (B) 5
1
(C) 21 (D) 4 5
NUMERCIAL APTITUDE
158 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
11. Average of 16 numbers is 8. If 2
is added to every number, the new
average will be:
(A) 13 (B) 9 (C) 10 (D) 8
12. If 31% of a number is 93, the
number is :
(A) 150 (B) 300 (C) 350 (D) 155
13. A man borrowed Rs. 5600 from a
bank at %
4
1
13 per annum simple
interest on 23rd March 2011. To settle
the account on 4th July 2011, he had to
pay the bank:
(A) Rs. 5748.40 (B) Rs. 148.40
(C) Rs. 5747.40 (D) Rs. 5614.84
14. If 7 is approximately 2.645 and
8575 n .2 645, then the value of n is:
(A) 34 (B) 33 (C) 35 (D) 25
15. If the lengths, breadths and heights
of two rectangular parallelepiped are 20
m, 15 m, h m and 16 m, 10 m, (2h-1) m
respectively and the volumes of two solid
are the same, then the value of h is:
(A) 6 (B) 8 (C) 12 (D) 4
16. An article is sold at 10% loss. If
the selling price is Rs. 40 more, there
will be a gain of 15%. The cost price of
the article is :
(A) Rs. 140 (B) Rs. 120
(C) Rs. 175 (D) Rs. 160
17. A, B and C together can do a
piece of work in 8 days. B and C
together can do the same work in 12
days. But it was only A who started to
do the work but fell ill after 18 days.
The remaining part was finished by B
and C working together in :
(A) 3 days (B) 3.3 days
(C) 3.6 days (D) 2.7 days
18. The ratios of milk and water in
four containers of equal volumes are
2 : l, 5 : 3, 9 : 7 and 3 : 2. The container
in which the quantity of milk relative to
water is minimum is:
(A) 2nd (B) 3rd (C) 4th (D) lst
19. If A : B = 3 : l0 and B : C
= 2 : 7, then A : B : C is equal to :
(A) 3 : 10 : 7 (B) 3 : 5 : 7
(C) 3 : 10 : 35 (D) 3 : 2 : 7
20. A tap can fill a tank in 15 minutes,
while another tap can empty the tank in
20 minutes. When the tank is already
half full, both the taps are opened
together. The tank will be filled up
completely in the next:
(A) 32 minutes (B) 36 minutes
(C) 40 minutes (D) 30 minutes
21. 10 students started to eat biscuits.
Among them, one ate 8 biscuits, 2 of
them ate 6 biscuits each, 3 of them ate
4 biscuits each and 4 of them ate 2
biscuits each. The average number of
biscuits, each of them ate, was :
(A) 4 (B) 6 (C) 8 (D) 3
22. Two numbers are in the ratio
5 : 6. If 7 is added to both the numbers,
their ratio becomes 6 : 7. The original
numbers are :
(A) 20, 24 (B) 25, 30
(C) 35, 42 (D) 15, 18
23. The ratio of the area of the
equilateral triangle drawn with the side
of a square as its base and the area of
the equilateral triangle described on the
diagonal of that square is :
(A) 2 : 1 (B) 2 : 3
(C) 3 : 2 (D) 1 : 2
Directions (Qs. 24 & 25) : The
following graph shows the yearly
percentage increase of sales of two
commodities over the years 2016-2021.
Study the graph and answer these
questions.
2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
21
10
0
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 159
24. If the sales of commodity B in
2017 was of the value of Rs. 1200 crores,
the value of sales of that commodity in
2018 was :
(A) Rs. 960 crores
(B) Rs. 840 crores
(C) Rs. 1800 crores
(D) Rs. 1080 crores
25. The percentage increase in the
sales of commodity A from 2016 to
2017 was:
(A) 150
(B) 200
(C) 50
(D) 15
ANSWERS
1. (B) : Let the speed of the train be
x km/hr.
Relative speed
= x +12 km/hr.
6 120
3600
x 12 1000
72
1000 6
120 3600
x 12
x 60 km/hr.
2. (B) : 48
80
100 Marked price
Rs 60.
3. (C)
4. (B) : Let the cost price per kg be
Rs. x.
Cost price for 950 gm
= 0.95 x
Selling price for 950 gm = x
Profit percentage
100
95.0 x
x 95.0 x
%
19
5
5
19
100
5. (A)
6. (B) : Compound interest per year
on Rs. 100
100
200
5
100 1
2
100
40
41
40
41
100
= 105.06 – 100 = 5.06
Equivalent Rate of interest
= 5.06%
7. (D): For a population of 100
persons, the number of
landless persons
= 100 × 0.8 × 0.9 × 0.7
= 50.4
8. (B) : The amount of discount
= 480
100
15
Rs 72.
9. (B) : If the price of a T.V. set is
Rs. x.
Selling price for A
= x × 0.75 × 0.85
= 0.6375 x
Selling price for B
= x × 0.9 × 0.7
= 0.63 x
Selling price for C = 0.64 x
B’s offer is best
10. (B) :
12 3 15 5 42
2 7 8 5 3 81
12 3 15 5 42
2 7 2 2 5 3 9
5
1
180 5 42
180 42
11. (C)
12. (B) : The number 100
31
93
300
160 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
13. (None)
14. (C) : 8575 35 7
15. (B) : As the volumes of two
parallelopiped are equal, we
have
20 × 15 × h = 16 × 10 ×
(2h – 1)
8
15
16 10
20 15
h
h2 1
16h – 8 = 15h
h = 8 m
16. (D): Let the cost price be Rs. 100.
Selling price at 10% loss
= Rs. 90
Selling price at 15% gain
= Rs. 105
Hence actual cost price
40
25
100
= Rs. 160
17. (A) : (A + B + C)’s one day’s work
8
1
(B + C)’s one day’s work
12
1
A’s one day’s work
24
1
24
3 2
12
1
8
1
Work done by A in
18 days
4
3
24
18
Time taken by B and
C to finish remaining
work 12 3 days
4
1
18. (B) :
Containers Milk relative
to Water
1 200%
2 100
3
5
167%
3 100
7
9
128%
4 150%
19. (C)
20. (D): Portion of tank filled in one
minute when both the taps
are open
20
1
15
1
60
1
60
4 3
Time taken to fill half of the
tank = 30 minutes
21. (A) : Total number of biscuits
= 1 × 8 + 2 × 6 + 3 × 4
+ 4 × 2
= 8 + 12 + 12 + 8 = 40
Average number of biscuits
4
10
40
22. (C) : Let the numbers be 5 x and
6 x respectively.
7
6
x6 7
x5 7
35x + 49 = 36 x + 42
x = 7
Numbers are 35, 42
23. (D)
24. (C) : Sales value in 2017
= Rs. 1200 crore.
Increase = 50%
Sales value in 2018
1200
100
150
= Rs. 1800 crore
25. (C)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 161
1. Who among the following is not a
moderate?
(A) Surendranath Banerjee
(B) Womesh Chandra Bonnerjee
(C) Bal Gangadhar Tilak
(D) Pherozeshah Mehta
2. Water is not suitable as a
calorimetric substance, because it:
(A) is a good conductor
(B) has high boiling point
(C) low latent heat of vaporisation
(D) has high specific heat
3. Who was the author of the book
‘Arthashastra’ ?
(A) Megasthenes
(B) Chanakya
(C) Seleucus Nicator
(D) Chandragupta
4. The New Economic Policy was
introduced by:
(A) Stalin (B) Kerensky Lenin
(C) Khrushchev (D)Lenin
5. Indian Constitution is:
(A) Quasi Federal (B) Unitary
(C) Presidential (D) Federal
6. Indira Point is the southernmost
tip of:
(A) Laccadives
(B) Andaman and Nicobar Islands
(C) Dhanushkodi
(D) Maldives
7. Who discovered that Malaria was
caused by the female Anopheles?
(A) Louis Pasteur (B) Robert Koch
(C) Ronald Ross (D) Edward Jenner
8. Demand in Economics means:
(A) Market demand
(B) Individual demand
(C) Demand backed by purchasing
power
(D) Aggregate demand
9. The World Health Day is observed
on
(A) December 16 (B) March 1
(C) January 25 (D) April 7
10. Crude oil is sometimes termed
sweet because it is:
(A) mildly sweet due to low sulphur
content
(B) less acidic
(C) less alkaline
(D) sweet in taste due to dissolved
sugars
11. Who among the following is India’s
Chief of the Defence Staff?
(A) Gen. Anil Chauhan
(B) Gen. Manoj Pande
(C) Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag
(D) Gen. V.K. Singh
12. Find the odd man out :
(A) Netscape
(B) Mozilla
(C) Excel
(D) Internet Explorer
13. The polymer obtained by the
condensation of hexamethylene diamine
and adipic acid is:
(A) Terylene (B) Tolleri’s
(C) Bakelite (D) Nylon
14. Animals adapted to life in air are
called:
(A) arboreal (B) cursorial
(C) volant (D) fossorial
15. The red, orange and yellow colours
of leaves are due to :
(A) Tannins (B) Lignins
(C) Carotenoids (D) Aidehydes
16. Permanent Settlement of Bengal
was done by British Governor-General:
(A) Lord Minto
(B) Lord Wellesley
(C) Lord Warren Hastings
(D) Lord Cornwallis
17. Chabahar Port is located in
(A) Bangladesh (B) Saudi Arabia
(C) Pakistan (D) Iran
18. Earthquakes are generally
associated with:
(A) Faults (B) Folds
(C) Schistosity (D) Joints
GENERAL AWARENESS/CURRENT AFFAIRS
162 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
19. The characteristic invalid for heat
radiation is that it travels:
(A) in all directions
(B) with the speed of light
(C) heating the medium through
which it passes
(D) in a straight line
20. Which inscription mentions about
the village administration under the
Cholas ?
(A) Uttaramerur (B) Aihole
(C) Nashik (D) Junagarh
21. Japan’s famous Shipbuilding
Industries are located at:
(A) Pittsburgh (B) Kobe
(C) Las Vegas (D) Detroit
22. Radioactive elements emit:
(A) Infrared waves
(B) Ultraviolet waves
(C)
and radiations
(D) Radiowaves
23. Who among the following,
propounded the theory of zero ?
(A) Chanakya (B) Aryabhatta
(C) Varahamihira (D) Charak
24. Gandhi’s ‘Dandi March’ is
associated with:
(A) Civil Disobedience Movement
(B) Non-Cooperation Movement
(C) Quit India Movement
(D) Khilafat Movement
25. Shiv Kumar Sharma is famous for
playing:
(A) Sitar (B) Sarod
(C) Flute (D) Santoor
26. Coal mines were nationalised in
the year:
(A) 1971 (B) 1972
(C) 1976 (D) 1970
27. Which of the following is an antioxidant?
(A) Vitamin-K (B) Vitamin-B
(C) Vitamin-D (D) Vitamin-C
28. Who was the recipient of the
Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the
year 2020 ?
(A) Sharmila Tagore
(B) Asha Parekh
(C) V.K. Murthy
(D) A.R. Rahman
29. Chilika Lake is located in:
(A) Bihar (B) Rajasthan
(C) Maharashtra (D) Odisha
30. A light ray travelling from denser
to rarer medium at an angle of incidence
more than critical angle of concerned
media pair suffers:
(A) refraction
(B) diffraction
(C) total internal reflection
(D) reflection
31. A hammer in the hands of a
housewife is a _______ good.
(A) capital (B) free
(C) intermediary (D) consumer
32. The method of magnetisation is :
(A) heating a magnet
(B) passing direct current through
it
(C) passing alternating current
through it
(D) hammering a magnet
33. Which of the following
Government of India programmes aims
to help, build or upgrade dwelling units of
below the poverty line rural families ?
(A) Jawahar Rozgar Yojana
(B) Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas
Yojana
(C) Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban
Renewal Mission
(D) National Social Assistance
Programme
34. Who gave the title of ‘Sardar’ to
Vallabhbhai Patel ?
(A) Gandhiji (B) Nehru
(C) M.A. Jinnah (D) Rajaji
35. Sardar Sarovar Dam dedicated to
the nation in September 2017 is in
(A) Odisha (B) Madhya Pradesh
(C) Maharashtra (D)Gujarat
36. Which one of the following is the
origin of the Brahmaputra river ?
(A) Gangotri (B) Yamunotri
(C) Chemayungdung (D) Milam
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 163
37. Which among the following is
found in chlorophyll?
(A) Mg2+ (B) Fe2+
(C) Al
3+ (D) Ca2+
38. Micro-economics is also called:
(A) Investment theory
(B) Price theory
(C) Expenditure theory
(D) Income theory
39. The smallest size of a cell that
can be seen with naked eye is :
(A) 10 micron (B) 100 micron
(C) 1000 micron (D) 1 micron
40. Bryophytes are often called as
amphibian plants because they :
(A) are found both in water and on
land
(B) do not have habitat preference
(C) can eat insects
(D) appear like frog
41. DVD is:
(A) Digital Video Disk
(B) Dynamic Versatile Disk
(C) Digital Versatile Disk
(D) Dynamic Video Disk
42. Who was the author of ‘India of
My Dreams’?
(A) M.K. Gandhi
(B) Gopal Krishna Gokhale
(C) Jawaharlal Nehru
(D) J. B. Kripalani
43. The responsibility of preparation
of electoral rolls in India rests with the :
(A) Local Administration
(B) Election Commission
(C) Returning Officer
(D) Parliament
44. The writer of the book “An
Enquiry into the Nature and Causes of
Wealth of Nations” is
(A) Smt. John Robinson
(B) Adam Smith
(C) Robins
(D) David Ricardo
45. Benzene cannot undergo:
(A) Addition (B) Elimination
(C) Oxidation (D) Substitution
46. In Windows, Icons such as Add/
Remove programs, New Hardware,
Modems, etc., are found in:
(A) Control Panel
(B) Network Neighbourhood
(C) My Computer
(D) Task Bar
47. Which country is the largest
producer of milk in the world?
(A) USA (B) China
(C) Denmark (D) India
48. An eardrum is absent in :
(A) turtles (B) tuatara
(C) toads (D) snakes
49. What are the basic functions of
Public Accounts Committee (PAC) ?
(A) to examine the statement of
accounts showing the income and
expenditure of state corporations,
trading and manufacturing
schemes and projects.
(B) to examine the accounts of stores
and stocks.
(C) to examine the statement of
accounts of autonomous bodies
(D) All the above
50. Which country has won the FIH
Men’s Hockey World Cup 2023 final held
in Bhubaneswar?
(A) Australia (B) Belgium
(C) India (D) Germany
ANSWERS
1. (B) 2. (D) 3. (B) 4. (D)
5. (D) 6. (B) 7. (C) 8. (C)
9. (D) 10. (A) 11. (A) 12. (C)
13. (D) 14. (C) 15. (C) 16. (D)
17. (D) 18. (A) 19. (C) 20. (A)
21. (B) 22. (C) 23. (B) 24. (B)
25. (D) 26. (A) 27. (D) 28. (B)
29. (D) 30. (C) 31. (A) 32. (C)
33. (B) 34. (A) 35. (D) 36. (C)
37. (A) 38. (B) 39. (B) 40. (A)
41. (C) 42. (A) 43. (B) 44. (B)
45. (B) 46. (A) 47. (D) 48. (D)
49. (D) 50. (D)
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 165
A ROAD ACCIDENT
According to the World Health
Organization, road accidents kill about
1.3 million people every year and
leave between 20 and 50 million people
with non-fatal injuries. But when
death is counted as mere numbers, its
importance vanquishes, and its severity
languishes. We know that Adolf Hitler
killed six million Jews in the holocaust,
but the numbers can’t ever portray the
actual horrors and macabre.
A horrific incident in my life was
nothing less than a tragedy for me.
However, for others, it was just a small
news headline that people generally
didn’t heed because it was a common
occurrence.
This incident indeed wreaked havoc
on me. Now, I will tell you the whole
story. My vacations were about to start,
and we were planning a trip to Manali
in Himachal Pradesh. All flights and
trains were full as anticipated. So, we
decided to rent an SUV and drive
through the exquisite valleys of the
mountainous North. It was my first long
road trip. I was excited. I helped my
dad load the car with all the essentials,
and finally, it was time for departure.
We prayed and began our expedition.
Somewhere deep in my subconsciousness, an iota of doubt popped: of a car
accident. But I crushed it with my
juvenile excitement like a hydraulic press.
Soon, the testimonies of cities, i.e. tall
residential and office buildings,
transcended into fields and sceneries. We
stayed in a motel the following day and
continued our journey.
Cold and shrill air flew about my ears
as I peeped out of the window, over
which my father rebuked me, but as I
JUNIOR ESSAY CONTESTS 929 & 930
loved him so much, I always knew
his orders were for the greater good.
So I obeyed him sincerely. I was sitting in
the front seat, something I dearly loved.
Crushing all the fear and caution with
teenage tenacity, I told the driver to speed
up. The dopamine for more speed was
building up; it was tingling my neurons,
so I pushed the driver for more speed. At
this very moment, ‘fear of hell’ overtook
me as I glanced at a goods truck appearing
out of nowhere around the corner. The
heart was pounding like a bass-boosted
stereo, but dire fear dominated the brain.
The driver swerved the car and very
minutely thwarted an accident. My heart
almost stopped at that moment. It was
truly weird to experience such a close
shave with a brutal death in a road
accident. In a mere five seconds, my
body was in a different state. I thought
everyone was angry with me, but I was
gratified that no one was hurt. My dear
family was saved.
I felt thumping in my heart, and the
world drifted into oblivion as I woke up.
HARSH RAJ
First Prize Winner
166 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
A FLIGHT IN AN
AEROPLANE
It was a dream!! I was elated for some
reason. But as my consciousness struck
me with the harsh truth, my body started
to tremble, and tears rolled down my
eyes. It was actually not a dream but a
reality. I was terrified to see our
mutilated SUV on the roadside.
“Dad!” I shrieked, but my voice was
distorted and attenuated with agony. A
male nurse took me inside an ambulance.
I didn’t even notice it was night. My dad
lay in front of me. Waves of tears came
down my eyes as I saw the gruesome scene.
Soon, I was terrified to think of the
possibility of losing my dad. “Where’s
Mom?!” I implored. But I was told that
she was relatively okay and was on her
way to the hospital.
‘DAD’—this word pounded in my
brain, and I was all in tears again. I
forgot the world existed. In those hours,
dad was all in my world.
I held my dad’s hands as the
ambulance started to plod its way
through the roads. I wanted to curse
the traffic but couldn’t help grieving for
my dad. I just wanted to pause time
and tell dad about how much I loved
him, for I couldn’t express it before.
My dad’s whole body was stained in
blood. And this put me in a state of
despair and restlessness. My hope for
my dad withered as he fell into final
sleep. I knew the inevitable. I decided
to hug my dad. I hugged him and
whispered, “I love you, dad. You are
my hero.” At that point in time, I wasn’t
feeling sad. I wasn’t feeling anything at
all. I lost all sense of awareness. All I
could remember was shutting down like
a machine without emotions.
Though the literature might help
elaborate on the sorrows and miseries
of the bereaved, not all the deaths’
severity can be archived. Sometimes, our
reckless actions on the road, for the spur
of the moment and fun, might become
the Grim Reaper’s call for ourselves. It’s
far too important to drive safely and
carefully. ❑
“ Through the boundless skies, I found
freedom in the embrace of flight, and in that
moment, I became a citizen of the world,”
said American aviation pioneer Amelia
Earhart.
The allure of flight, a pinnacle of
human ingenuity, beckoned me to
embark on a wondrous odyssey as I and
my parents embarked on my inaugural
flight from Kolkata to Delhi for a threeday tour. As I found myself ensconced
in the ethereal confines of a soaring
aeroplane, I became enthralled by the
palpable synergy between modern
engineering marvels and the indomitable
human spirit. My apprehension
intermingled with eagerness, heightened
my senses as I set myself ready to
experience the unparalleled joy of
defying gravity’s persistent embrace.
As the Sun ascended beyond the
eastern horizon, I reached the Netaji
Subhas Chandra Bose International
Airport, aglow with joy, anticipation, and
trepidation. The airport, an intricate
amalgamation of contemporary
architecture and technological prowess,
cast a surreal ambience befitting the
grandeur of air travel. Serially, I
underwent the customary security
check-in at the airport. A meticulous
procedure unfolded, encompassing
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 167
baggage screening, metal detector scans
and identity verification. After
completing these essential formalities, I
stepped into the airport’s departure
lounge, a bustling hive of activity.
Once my boarding pass was stamped,
the momentous stride toward the aircraft
commenced. The colossal aeronautical
enigma stood stoically on the tarmac,
wings outstretched like an avian
behemoth, primed to transcend earthly
boundaries. As I ventured through the
gateway of this aviation marvel, the
fuselage welcomed me with a cool
embrace, akin to entering an alternate
realm. Inside, the cabin exuded an air
of sophistication and tranquillity.
The crescendo of anticipation reached
its zenith as the aeroplane’s engines
roared to life, ushering forth a
transcendent serenade—the resounding
sonic boom of departure. The majestic
aircraft began its slow traverse along the
runway, analogous to a leviathan gaining
momentum. Once airborne, the
cityscape below dwindled into minuscule
proportions, and Kolkata appeared as a
mere mosaic of human endeavour. As
we soared higher, thick layers of clouds
cradled the aircraft, cloaking us in their
soft embrace.
Within the secure confines of the
cabin, the attentive cabin crew exhibited
a captivating display of immaculate
hospitality. Their graciousness knew
no bounds as they intuitively anticipated
the needs of passengers. Safety
demonstrations conducted by the cabin
crew ensured a seamless journey.
The airborne food pantry offered a
cornucopia of culinary treasures,
meticulously curated to tantalise taste
buds and elevate the in-flight experience
to unparalleled heights. The gastronomic
symphony transcended terrestrial
limitations from succulent delicacies
infused with exotic flavours to delectable
desserts resembling celestial confections.
My fellow travellers and I forged
ephemeral bonds during the flight.
Strangers became acquaintances, and
acquaintances morphed into a transient
kinship fostered by the camaraderie that
only the confines of an aircraft can
engender. As the plane descended at the
Indira Gandhi International Airport,
gravity’s embrace resumed as a reminder
of the transient nature of flight. The
farewell from the cabin crew carried a
poignant tinge, their benevolent
hospitality forever etched in my heart.
In retrospect, my maiden two-hour
flight proved an awe-inspiring expedition
into the ethereal realm of the skies. The
journey from Kolkata to Delhi surpassed
mere travel and evolved into a temporary
sojourn of wonder and amazement.
Embraced by the luxury of contemporary
air travel, enchanted by the captivating
aesthetics of in-flight hospitality, I
emerged from the flight akin to a rebirth.
This inaugural odyssey shall forever
resonate in the corridors of my memory,
a testament to the unfathomable marvel
of human ingenuity and our ceaseless
endeavour to traverse uncharted realms.
It has indelibly etched a profound
wanderlust within me, perpetuating an
insatiable desire to partake in celestial
sojourns time and again. ❑
DIPTANGSHU CHAKRABORTY
First Prize Winner
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 169
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170 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 FORTHCOMING EXAMS GOING TO TAKE PLACE S. No. Name of the Exam Date of Exam Eligibility Criteria Age Limit 1. IBPS Common Recruitment Main (Online) : Bachelor’s degree
Varies
Process for Recruitment of Officers (Scales I) : 10 and from a recognised
Officers (Scale-I, II & III) 16 September 2023 Uni
versity in
and Office Assistants respective disciplines
(Multipurpose) in Regional
Rural Banks (RRBs)
2. SSC Recruitment of Multi Computer Based : Matriculation or
Varies
Tasking (Non
Technical) Staff Paper-I equivalent from a
and Havaldar (CBIC & CBN) 1 to 29 September 2023 recognised Board
Exam 2023 or Uni
versity
3. IBPS Common Recruitment Online Exam - Graduation in any 20 - 30 Yrs.
Process for Recruitment of Preliminary : discipline from a
Probationary Officers/ 23 & 30 September and recognised
Mana
gement Trainees in 1 October 2023 Uni
versity
Participating Banks Main : 5 No
vember 2023 or equi
valent
4. SSC - Recruitment of Paper-I : Bachelor’s degree 20 - 25 Yrs.
Sub-Inspector (SI) in 3 to 6 October 2023 from a recognised
Delhi Police, CAPFs; University
Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) in CISF Exam 2023
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 171 5. Institute of Banking Personnel Main (Online) : Graduation in any 20 - 28 Yrs. Selection (IBPS) Common 7 October 2023 discipline from
Recruitment Process (CRP) a recognised
for the Recruitment University or
of Clerks in equivalent
Participating Banks
6. SSC - Junior Engineer 9, 10 & 11 October 2023
Varies 27 - 32 Yrs.
(Civil, Electrical and
Mechanical) Exam, 2023
7. SSC Stenographer 12 & 13 October 2023
Passed 12th Standar
d
Varies
Grade ‘C’ & ‘D’ Exam 2023
8. SSC - Junior Hindi Translator, 16 October, 2023
Varies Max. 30 Yrs.
Junior Translator and Senior
Hindi Translator Exam, 2023
9. CAT 2023 Computer Based : Degree from a
(Common Admission
Test 26 No
vember 2023 recognised University
conducted by Indian (In 3 Sessions)
Institutes of Mana
gement)
10. Common Law Admission
Test 3 December 2023 Class 12 Pass
– (CLAT) 2024 with 45% Marks
Note : Candidates are advised to visit the official website and notification for further details.
172 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
COMMON ERRORS IN THE
SEQUENCE OF TENSES
Often errors in the sequence of tenses are committed due to carelessness and
ignorance of the rules. In this regard the students should go through the following
sentences carefully so as to avoid these errors. They should also read the important
rules written at the end.
1. Wrong : Asha said that she will go with me.
Right : Asha said that she would go with me.
2. Wrong : Meena requested that I shall lend her my car.
Right : Meena requested that I should lend her my car.
3. Wrong : My father asked why I am late.
Right : My father asked me why I was late.
4. Wrong : The Principal wanted to know why you are irregular.
Right : The Principal wanted to know why you were irregular.
5. Wrong : His mother enquired if he is detained.
Right : His mother enquired if he was detained.
6. Wrong : Saroj could pass this examination if she tries.
Right : Saroj could pass this examination if she tried.
7. Wrong : Guddie could marry Gopal if she likes.
Right : Guddie could marry Gopal if she liked.
8. Wrong : His uncle wanted to know how he has done his business.
Right : His uncle wanted to know how he had done his business.
9. Wrong : I asked Suksham if Anju has already been married.
Right : I asked Suksham if Anju had already been married.
10. Wrong : He wept bitterly as he is beaten by his father.
Right : He wept bitterly as he was beaten by his father.
11. Wrong : Swarna walked so fast that no other girl can keep pace with
her.
Right : Swarna walked so fast that no other girl could keep pace with
her.
12. Wrong : Our teacher told us that the Earth moved round the Sun.
Right : Our teacher told us that the Earth moves round the Sun.
HOW TO WRITE
CORRECT ENGLISH
SPECIAL FEATURE
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 173
13. Wrong : Our teacher told us that the Earth rotated on its own
axis.
Right : Our teacher told us that the Earth rotates on its own
axis.
14. Wrong : The lover said that he never forgot his beloved.
Right : The lover said that he never forgets his beloved.
15. Wrong : My father said that he was always in time.
Right : My father said that he is always in time.
16. Wrong : His friends told that he was addicted to drinking.
Right : His friends told that he is addicted to drinking.
17. Wrong : The saint said that honesty was the best policy.
Right : The saint said that honesty is the best policy.
18. Wrong : The religious preacher was saying that God was merciful on
all.
Right : The religious preacher was saying that God is merciful on
all.
19. Wrong : The Judge said that truth always triumphed.
Right : The Judge said that truth always triumphs.
20. Wrong : He rests daily for two hours lest he will be ill again.
Right : He rests daily for two hours lest he should be ill again.
21. Wrong : Rakesh works hard lest he will fail.
Right : Rakesh works hard lest he should fail.
22. Wrong : He works efficiently lest he is dismissed.
Right : He works efficiently lest he should be dismissed.
23. Wrong : Pratap behaves as if he is the dictator.
Right : Pratap behaves as if he were the dictator.
24. Wrong : The child wept as if he is injured badly.
Right : The child wept as if he were injured badly.
25. Wrong : He takes airs as though he is the only singer in India.
Right : He takes airs as though he were the only singer in India.
26. Wrong : He walks carefully lest he falls.
Right : He walks carefully lest he should fall.
27. Wrong : No sooner did he see me, he came to me.
Right : No sooner did he see me than he came to me.
28. Wrong : My brother hinted that he wants to purchase a cycle.
Right : My brother hinted that he wanted to purchase a cycle.
29. Wrong : I discovered that he is innocent.
Right : I discovered that he was innocent.
30. Wrong : Rakesh replied that he will not come.
Right : Rakesh replied that he would not come.
174 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
31. Wrong : Newton discovered
that the force of
gravitation made
apples fall.
Right : Newton discovered
that the force of
gravitation makes
apples fall.
32. Wrong : I never thought that I
shall find my lost car
again.
Right : I never thought that I
would find my lost car
again.
33. Wrong : Euclid proved that the
three angles of a
triangle were equal to
two right angles.
Right : Euclid proved that the
three angles of a
triangle are equal to
two right angles.
IMPORTANT POINTS TO
REMEMBER REGARDING
THE ERRORS IN THE
SEQUENCE OF TENSES
1. If the verb in the principal clause
of a complex sentence is in
the past tense, the verb in the
subordinate clause must also be
in the past tense.
2. A past tense in the principal
clause may be followed by a
present tense in the subordinate
clause if the subordinate clause
expresses a universal truth.
3. If the word ‘lest’ connects a
subordinate clause with principal
clause, ‘should’ must always occur
in the verb of the subordinate
clause.
4. The conjunctions ‘as if ’ and ‘as
though’ always take a past tense
after them in the subordinate
clause.
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 175
CABINET MINISTERS
Mr. Narendra Modi : Prime Minister
and also in-charge of : Ministry of
Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions; Department of Atomic
Energy; Department of Space; All
important policy issues and all other
portfolios not allocated to any Minister
Mr. Amit Shah : Home Affairs;
Cooperation
Mr. Rajnath Singh : Defence
Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman : Finance;
Corporate Affairs
Dr. Subrahmanyam Jaishankar :
External Affairs
Mr. Nitin Jairam Gadkari : Road
Transport and Highways
Mr. Mansukh L. Mandaviya : Health
and Family Welfare; Chemicals and
Fertilisers
Mr. Narendra Singh Tomar :
Agriculture and Farmers Welfare
Mr. Arjun Munda : Tribal Affairs
Ms. Smriti Zubin Irani : Women and
Child Development; Minority Affairs
Mr. Piyush Goyal : Commerce and
Industry; Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution; Textiles
Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan :
Education; Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship
Mr. Pralhad Joshi : Parliamentary
Affairs; Coal; Mines
Mr. Narayan Tatu Rane : Micro, Small
and Medium Enterprises
Mr. Sarbananda Sonowal : Ports,
Shipping and Waterways; AYUSH
Dr. Virendra Kumar : Social Justice and
Empowerment
Mr. Giriraj Singh : Rural Development;
Panchayati Raj
Mr. Jyotiraditya M. Scindia : Civil
Aviation; Steel
Mr. Ashwini Vaishnaw : Railways;
Communications; Electronics and
Information Technology
Mr. Pashu Pati Kumar Paras : Food
Processing Industries
Mr. Gajendra Singh Shekhawat : Jal
Shakti
Mr. Kiren Rijiju : Earth Sciences
Mr. Raj Kumar Singh : Power;
New and Renewable Energy
Mr. Hardeep Singh Puri : Petroleum and
Natural Gas; Housing and Urban Affairs
Mr. Bhupender Yadav : Environment,
Forest and Climate Change; Labour and
Employment
Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey : Heavy
Industries
Mr. Parshottam Rupala : Fisheries,
Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Mr. G. Kishan Reddy : Culture; Tourism;
Development of North Eastern Region
Mr. Anurag Singh Thakur : Information
and Broadcasting; Youth Affairs and
Sports
Ms. Droupadi Murmu : President
Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar : Vice-President
COUNCIL OF MINISTERS
INDIA
UNION GOVERNMENT
* As on September 12, 2023
LATEST WHO’S WHO*
176 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
MINISTERS OF STATE
(Independent Charge)
Mr. Arjun Ram Meghwal : Law and
Justice. MoS in Parliamentary Affairs;
Culture
Mr. Rao Inderjit Singh : Statistics and
Programme Implementation; Planning.
MoS in Corporate Affairs
Dr. Jitendra Singh : Science and
Technology. MoS in Prime Minister’s
Office; Personnel, Public Grievances and
Pensions; Department of Atomic
Energy; Department of Space
MINISTERS OF STATE
Mr. Shripad Yesso Naik : Ports,
Shipping and Waterways; Tourism
Mr. Faggan Singh Kulaste : Steel; Rural
Development
Mr. Prahalad Singh Patel : Jal Shakti;
Food Processing Industries
Mr. Ashwini Kumar Choubey :
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution; Environment, Forest and
Climate Change
en. (Retd.) V. K. Singh : Road Transport
and Highways; Civil Aviation
Mr. Krishan Pal : Power; Heavy
Industries
Mr. Danve Raosaheb Dadarao :
Railways; Coal; Mines
Mr. Ramdas Athawale : Social Justice
and Empowerment
Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti : Consumer
Affairs, Food and Public Distribution;
Rural Development
Mr. Sanjeev Kumar Balyan : Fisheries,
Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Mr. Nityanand Rai : Home Affairs
Mr. Pankaj Chaowdhary : Finance
Ms. Anupriya Singh Patel : Commerce
and Industry
Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel : Health and
Family Welfare
Mr. Rajeev Chandrasekhar : Skill
Development and Entrepreneurship;
Electronics and Information
Technology
Ms. Shobha Karandlaje : Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare
Mr. Bhanu Pratap Singh Verma : Micro,
Small and Medium Enterprises
Ms. Darshana Vikram Jardosh :
Textiles; Railways
Mr. V. Muraleedharan : External Affairs;
Parliamentary Affairs
Ms. Meenakashi Lekhi : External
Affairs; Culture
Mr. Som Parkash : Commerce and
Industry
Ms. Renuka Singh Saruta : Tribal
Affairs
Mr. Rameswar Teli : Petroleum and
Natural Gas; Labour and Employment
Mr. Kailash Choudhary : Agriculture
and Farmers Welfare
Ms. Annpurna Devi : Education
Mr. A. Narayanaswamy : Social Justice
and Empowerment
Mr. Kaushal Kishore : Housing and
Urban Affairs
Mr. Ajay Bhatt : Defence; Tourism
Mr. B. L. Verma : Development of
North Eastern Region; Cooperation
Mr. Ajay Kumar : Home Affairs
Mr. Devusinh Chauhan :
Communications
Mr. Bhagwanth Khuba : New and
Renewable Energy; Chemicals and
Fertilisers
Mr. Kapil Moreshwar Patil : Panchayati
Raj
Ms. Pratima Bhoumik : Social Justice
and Empowerment
Dr. Subhas Sarkar : Education
Dr. Bhagwat Kishanrao Karad :
Finance
GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023 177
LEGISLATURE
RAJYA SABHA CHAIRMAN : Mr. Jagdeep Dhankhar
RAJYA SABHA DEPUTY CHAIRMAN : Mr. Harivansh Narayan Singh
LOK SABHA SPEAKER : Mr. Om Birla
JUDICIARY
CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA : Mr. Justice Dhananjaya Yashwant Chandrachud
ATTORNEY GENERAL OF INDIA : Mr. R. Venkataramani
SOLICITOR GENERAL OF INDIA : Mr. Tushar Mehta
CHIEFS OF ARMED FORCES
SUPREME COMMANDER : Hon’ble President Ms. Droupadi Murmu
CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF : General Anil Chauhan
CHIEF OF THE ARMY STAFF : General Manoj Pande
CHIEF OF THE NAVAL STAFF : Admiral R. Hari Kumar
CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF : Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari
Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh : External
Affairs; Education
Dr. Bharati Pravin Pawar : Health and
Family Welfare
Mr. Bishweswar Tudu : Tribal Affairs;
Jal Shakti
Mr. Shantanu Thakur : Ports, Shipping
and Waterways
Dr. Munjapara Mahendrabhai : Women
and Child Development; AYUSH
Mr. John Barla : Minority Affairs
Dr. L. Murugan : Fisheries, Animal
Husbandry and Dairying; Information
and Broadcasting
Mr. Nisith Pramanik : Home Affairs;
Youth Affairs and Sports
CAPITALS, GOVERNORS AND CHIEF MINISTERS OF STATES
States Capitals Governors Chief Ministers
(1) Andhra Pradesh Amaravati Justice S. Abdul Mr. Y.S. Jagan Mohan
Nazeer (Retd.) Reddy
(2) Arunachal Pradesh Itanagar Lt. Gen. Kaiwalya Mr. Pema Khandu
Trivikram Parnaik (Retd.)
(3) Assam Dispur Mr. Gulab Chand Kataria Mr. Himanta Biswa Sarma
(4) Bihar Patna Mr. Rajendra Vishwanath Mr. Nitish Kumar
Arlekar
(5) Chhattisgarh Raipur Mr. Biswa Bhusan Mr. Bhupesh Baghel
Harichandan
(6) Goa Panaji Mr. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai Mr. Pramod Sawant
(7) Gujarat Gandhinagar Acharya Devvrat Mr. Bhupendra Patel
(8) Haryana Chandigarh Mr. Bandaru Dattatreya Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar
(9) Himachal Pradesh Shimla Mr. Shiv Pratap Shukla Mr. Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu
(10) Jharkhand Ranchi Mr. C.P. Radhakrishnan Mr. Hemant Soren
(11) Karnataka Bengaluru Mr. Thaawar Chand Gehlot Mr. Siddaramaiah
(12) Kerala Thiruvanantha- Mr. Arif Mohammed Khan Mr. Pinarayi Vijayan
puram
178 GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TODAY, OCTOBER 2023
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RNI No. 21720 / 71 PR No. DL(C)-01/1068/2021-23
Licensed to post without pre-payment of Postage No. U(C) 49/2021-23.
States Capitals Governors Chief Ministers
(13) Madhya Pradesh Bhopal Mr. Mangubhai Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan
Chhaganbhai Patel
(14) Maharashtra Mumbai Mr. Ramesh Bais Mr. Eknath Sambhaji Shinde
(15) Manipur Imphal Ms. Anusuiya Uikye Mr. Nongthombam Biren
Singh
(16) Meghalaya Shillong Mr. Phagu Chauhan Mr. Conrad K. Sangma
(17) Mizoram Aizawl Mr. Hari Babu Mr. P.U. Zoramthanga
Kambhampati
(18) Nagaland Kohima Mr. La Ganesan Mr. Neiphiu Rio
(19) Odisha Bhubaneswar Prof. Ganeshi Lal Mr. Naveen Patnaik
(20) Punjab Chandigarh Mr. Banwarilal Purohit Mr. Bhagwant Mann
(21) Rajasthan Jaipur Mr. Kalraj Mishra Mr. Ashok Gehlot
(22) Sikkim Gangtok Mr. Lakshman Prasad Mr. Prem Singh Tamang
Acharya
(23) Tamil Nadu Chennai Mr. R.N. Ravi Mr. M.K. Stalin
(24) Telangana Hyderabad Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan Mr. K. Chandrasekhar Rao
(25) Tripura Agartala Mr. Satyadeo Narayan Arya Mr. Manik Saha
(26) Uttarakhand Gairsain (Summer) Lt. Gen. Gurmit Singh Mr. Pushkar Singh Dhami
Dehradun (Winter) (Retd.)
(27) Uttar Pradesh Lucknow Ms. Anandiben Patel Yogi Adityanath
(28) West Bengal Kolkata Mr. C.V. Ananda Bose Ms. Mamata Banerjee
CAPITAL, LT. GOVERNOR AND CHIEF MINISTER OF
NATIONAL CAPITAL TERRITORY
National Capital Territory Capital Lt. Governor Chief Minister
(1) Delhi Delhi Mr. V.K. Saxena Mr. Arvind Kejriwal
CAPITALS, LT. GOVERNORS/ADMINISTRATORS AND
CHIEF MINISTERS OF UNION TERRITORIES
Union Territories Capitals Lt. Governors/Administrators Chief Ministers
(1) Andaman and Port Blair Admiral (Retd.) D.K. Joshi —
Nicobar Islands
(2) Chandigarh Chandigarh Mr. Banwarilal Purohit —
(3) Dadra and Nagar Haveli Daman Mr. Praful K. Patel —
& Daman and Diu
(4) Jammu and Kashmir Srinagar (Summer) Mr. Manoj Sinha —
Jammu (Winter)
(5) Ladakh Leh Brig. B.D. Mishra (Retd.)
(6) Lakshadweep Kavaratti Mr. Praful K. Patel* —
(7) Puducherry Puducherry Dr. Tamilisai Soundararajan* Mr. N. Rangasamy
*Additional Charge