Part of: Sikkim Gk set 5

..... the world's third-highest peak, is located on Sikkim's border with Nepal

Category: Sikkim Gk

Hint: Consider the highest peaks in the Himalayas and their locations.

Correct Answer: C) Kanchenjunga

Exam Relevance: UPSC, SSC, State PSC

Difficulty: Moderate

Explanations:

The question asks about the world's third-highest peak located on the border of Sikkim and Nepal. To understand this, we need to delve into the geography of the Himalayan region, which is home to some of the world's highest peaks.

The Himalayas are a vast mountain range that stretches across several countries, including India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China. Among the many peaks in this range, Kanchenjunga stands out as the third-highest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 8,586 meters (28,169 feet). It is located on the border of Sikkim, India, and Nepal, making it a significant geographical landmark in the region.

Kanchenjunga is not only a geographical feature but also holds cultural and religious significance. The name "Kanchenjunga" is derived from the Tibetan language, where "Kanchen" means "five treasures" and "junga" means "great snow." This name refers to the five peaks of Kanchenjunga, which are considered to be the repositories of the five treasures of the world: gold, silver, gems, grains, and holy books.

It is important to distinguish Kanchenjunga from other high peaks in the region. For instance, Mount Everest, the world's highest peak, is located on the border of Nepal and Tibet (China). K2, the second-highest peak, is located on the border of Pakistan and China. Dhaulagiri, another high peak, is located entirely within Nepal and is not on the border with Sikkim.

Understanding the geographical context of Kanchenjunga is crucial for students preparing for competitive examinations, as questions about geographical landmarks and their locations are common in such exams. The correct answer to the question is Kanchenjunga, as it is the third-highest peak in the world and is located on the border of Sikkim and Nepal.

Option Analysis:
  • Option A: Dhaulagiri is a high peak in the Himalayas, but it is located in Nepal, not on the border with Sikkim. It is not the third-highest peak in the world.
  • Option B: K2, also known as Mount Godwin-Austen, is the second-highest peak in the world, located on the border of Pakistan and China. It is not located on the border of Sikkim and Nepal.
  • Option C: Kanchenjunga is the correct answer. It is the world's third-highest peak and is located on the border of Sikkim, India, and Nepal. It is a significant geographical landmark in the region.
  • Option D: This option is incorrect because Kanchenjunga is indeed the third-highest peak in the world and is located on the border of Sikkim and Nepal.

Mnemonic: Kanchenjunga: "Kanchen" means "five treasures" in Tibetan, referring to the five peaks.

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