Question 28 from UPSC CSE 2025 - Geography

Question

Consider the following statements:
I. Anadyr in Siberia and Nome in Alaska are a few kilometers apart, but when people wake up and get set for breakfast in these cities, it would be different days.
II. When it is Monday in Anadyr, it is Tuesday in Nome.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: A. I only

Strategy: Focus on the reference to the International Date Line (IDL) and the stated cities' locations near it. Rapidly recognize that closely located cities across the IDL can experience different calendar days. For Statement II, test the direction: if it's Monday in Anadyr (Russia, west of IDL), Nome (Alaska, east of IDL) will still be on the previous day. The assertion that it's 'Tuesday' in Nome when it's 'Monday' in Anadyr is therefore reversed. Cross-validation via time zones' offsets confirms the error in the second statement.

Key Info: The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary demarcation, mostly following the 180° longitude through the Pacific Ocean, where calendar dates change by one day. When crossing from west to east, a day is subtracted; from east to west, a day is added.

Anadyr is a port city in eastern Siberia, Russia (time zone UTC+12 to UTC+13). Nome is in western Alaska, USA (time zone UTC-9). Although geographically near, the IDL separates them, resulting in almost a full day's difference. For example, when it is Monday morning in Anadyr, it is Sunday morning in Nome.

The time difference between Anadyr and Nome is typically 20 hours, owing to their positions relative to the IDL. The IDL's effect results in neighboring settlements sometimes experiencing different days despite similar solar times. Time calculation and civil date changes due to the IDL are a crucial aspect of world geography relevant for understanding not only local time but also international affairs, travel, and communication.

Answer

Option B: II only

Answer

Option C: Both I and II

Answer

Option D: Neither I nor II