Q. Consider the following countries:
1. Azerbaijan
2. Kyrgyzstan
3. Tajikistan
4. Turkmenistan
5. Uzbekstan
Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan?
a) 1, 2 and 5 only
b) 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 3, 4 and 5 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Correct Answer: c) 3, 4 and 5 only
Question from UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper
Explanation :
Countries Sharing a Border with Afghanistan
Among the listed countries, the ones that share a border with Afghanistan are:
3. Tajikistan
It shares a significant border with Afghanistan to the south, which includes a long stretch along the Panj River and the Wakhan Corridor, a narrow strip of land connecting Afghanistan with China.
4. Turkmenistan
It has a border with Afghanistan to the southeast. The border is relatively short compared to Tajikistan’s and runs along the Amu Darya River.
5. Uzbekistan
It shares a border with Afghanistan to the south. The border is not very long and is marked by the Amu Darya River as well.
The other two countries listed do not border Afghanistan:
1. Azerbaijan: It is located to the northwest of the Caspian Sea and does not share a border with Afghanistan. It is separated from Afghanistan by the Caspian Sea and several countries, including Turkmenistan and Iran.
2. Kyrgyzstan: It is located further to the northeast and does not share a border with Afghanistan. It is separated from Afghanistan by Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
Therefore, the correct answer is “3, 4 and 5 only” as these are the countries that have borders with Afghanistan.
Note: Afghanistan is a landlocked country located in South Asia and Central Asia. It shares its borders with the following countries:
1. Pakistan to the east and south.
2. Iran to the west.
3. Turkmenistan to the northwest.
4. Uzbekistan to the north.
5. Tajikistan to the north and northeast.
6. China to the far northeast (specifically the region of Xinjiang), though this border is very short compared to the others.