Maharashtra Board HSC 12th Exam 2024 : Geography Most Important Question Answers

Maharashtra Class 12 exams have started and you have very little time left for the Geography exam. Therefore, we are providing the Most Important Answer Type Questions in this article. You can study them well and score well in your exams.

So this article is to help you ace those Most Important Short & Long Question Answers with quick and effective last-minute revision.

Most Important Short & Long Question Answers are an important part of your Geography exam to score good marks. Mastering them can boost your confidence and lead to important scores. These questions cover various topics from the Geography syllabus. Remember, it is important to understand the logic behind each answer to score well.

Maharashtra Board Geography Most Important Question Answers

important MCQ 

1. Population density in equatorial region is very less due to ...

(a) very calm climate
(b) very hot climate
(c) very high temperature and heavy rainfall
(d) less temperature and less rainfall

Ans. (c)

2. In the 4th stage of demographic transition ...

(a) birth rate declines
(b) there is less death rate and declining birth rate
(c) there is less death rate and birth rate
(d) there is less death rate and high birth rate

Ans. (c)

3. Continent with least population...

(a) Europe
(b) America
(c) Australia
(d) Africa

Ans. (c)

4. When birth rate is more and death rate is less the population growth is ...

(a) more
(b) less
(c) stable
(d) medium

Ans. (a)

5. In the 2nd stage of demographic transition...

(a) birth rate > death rate
(b) birth rate < death rate
(c) birth rate > death rate
(d) birth rate = death rate

Ans. (a)

6. Migration causes growth in crimes, as .......

(a) income increases
(b) unemployment increases
(c) poverty decrease
(d) savings increases

Ans. (b)

7. Short duration migration can be expressed as

(a) shift in a residence from village to Mumbai/Pune for service
(b) visit to Goa for tourism
(c) agricultural labourer migrating to Sangli for sugarcane harvesting
(d) migration from a village to another village due to marriage

Ans. (b)

8. The type of settlement growing along a road/canal is...

(a) Rectangular
(b) Triangular
(c) Square
(d) Linear

Ans. (d)

9. Collection of forest products is practised in ...

(a) Temperate coniferous forest
(b) Temperate deciduous forest
(c) Tropical deciduous forest
(d) Equatorial evergreen forest

Ans. (d)

10. Farm size in intensive farming is very small due to ...

(a) hilly region
(b) high population density
(c) people don't like big farm size
(d) population is very backward

Ans. (b

Maharashtra Board Class 12 Study Material

11. Very less machinery is used in plantation agriculture due to

(a) heavy rainfall
(b) terrain with high gradient
(c) scientific farming
(d) shortage of capital

Ans. (b)

12. The primary activity which is not directly connected with latitudinal location is ...

(a) Lumbering of forestry
(b) Fishingo
(c) Mining
(d) Agriculture an

Ans. (c)

13. Characteristics of commercial agriculture are...

(a) Mono crop, irrigation, tropical climate, food crop production
(b) Mono crop, use of machines, tropical climate, food crop production
(c) Mono crop, labour intensive, equatorial Thailand, market gardening
(d) Mono crop, scientific farming, sub temperate region, production of pulses

Ans. (d)

14. Iron and Steel industry is raw material oriented, because...

(a) iron ore is heavy and weight losing raw material
(b) iron and steel industry needs abundant water
(c) coal is a weight losing raw material alley
(d) transportation cost of raw material is very high

Ans. (a)

15. Functional region...

(a) Region with black cotton soil
(b) Region with laterite soil
(c) Desert region
(d) Area under satellite coverage

Ans. (d)

16. Functional region...

(a) Pune Metropolitan region
(b) Mumbai Municipal Corporation
(c) Nagpur
(d) Aurangabad District

Ans. (a)

17. Formal region …..

(a) Monsoon region
(b) Temperate region
(c) Polar zone
(d) Canada

Ans. (d)

18. A branch of Physical Geography...

(a) Climatology
(b) Settlement geography
(c) Economic geography
(d) Agricultural geography

Ans. (a)

19. A branch of Human Geography...

(a) Bio-geography
(b) Settlement geography
(c) Geomorphology
(d) Geology

Ans. (b)

20. Sugar mills are seen/located near sugar cane farms because.

(a) sugar cane is a pure raw material
(b) sugar cane is perishable as well as weight losing raw mater
(c) transport cost of sugar cane is very high
(d) sugar mills need abundant water

Ans. (b)

Fill in the Blanks

1. ............ is the physical factor affecting the distribution of population. (Agriculture, Mining, Urbanization, Soil)

Ans. Soil

2. ............is passing through the stage of population explosion. (India, China, Niger, Finland)

Ans. Niger

3. Generally, land use in rural areas revolves around................... activities. (mining, tourism, manufacturing, agricultural)

Ans. agricultural

4. The type of settlements growing around the lake has..................... pattern. (rectangular, circular, linear, triangular)

Ans. circular

5. The highest percentage of world's population is engaged in ................... activities.(quaternary, tertiary, secondary, primary)

Ans. primary

6. ..................... is a major crop in extensive commercial agriculture. (Tobacco, Cotton, Coconut, Wheat)

Ans. Wheat

7. ....................... is the industrial belt located in Japan. (New England, Uran, Nagoya, Kimberley)

Ans. Nagoya

8. Tourism is a ..................... economic activity. (primary, secondary, tertiary, quaternary)

Ans. tertiary

9. .................... is a region based on the administrative boundaries (Thar desert, Ganga river basin. Nagaland, Lonar lake

Ans. Nagaland.

10. Biosphere includes ................... of a region. (human activities, formation of rocks, natural vegetatio fertility of soil)

Ans. natural vegetation.

11. ................ is the industrial belt in Maharashtra. (Mumbai-Pune corridor, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Ahmedabad- Vadodara region)

Ans. Mumbai-Pune corridor,

12. 75% of gold is found in the continent of.................... (North America, South America, Africa, Asia)

Ans. Africa

13. ................. is a tertiary economic activity. (Hunting, Gathering, Transporting, Fishing)

Ans. Transporting

14. . Kochi is a port located on the eastern coast of....................(Sri Lanka, India, Brazil, U.S.A.)

Ans. India

15. Al-Ahsa city is located near an oasis in ................ (India, Japan, Brazil, Saudi Arabia)

Ans. Saudi Arabia

16. Appalachian mountain is located in ................... (India, USA, Zambia, China)

Ans. USA

17. Literacy rate is found to be high in ...................... (Northern Africa, South Asia, Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa

Ans. Europe

18. Population belonging to age group ................... is known as working population. (0 to 9, 15 to 59, 60 to 69, 70 to 89)

Ans. 15 to 59

19. ................ activities are directly related to the natural resources. (Primary, Secondary, Tertiary, Quaternary)

Ans. Primary,

20. ................ is a suburb of the main city of Pune. (Virar, Bhandup, Hinjawadi, Kalyanj

Ans. Hinjawadi

True False

1. The continent of Asia has the least landmass.

Ans. True

2. The continent of Australia has the least population.

Ans. False

3. Tibetan plateau is densely populated.

Ans. False

4. Migration creates many problems in cities.

Ans. True

5. Migration is not always permanent. (July '22)

Ans. True

6. In developed countries, maximum people are engaged in agriculture.

Ans.  False.

7. Lumbering is not well developed in Canada.

Ans.  True

8. Hunting has been banned.

Ans.  True

9. Geographical diversity is responsible for trade to occur.

Ans. True

10. Tourism industry is included in tertiary economic activity.

Ans. True

11. Kochi port is located on the western coast of India.

Ans.  False.

12. Human geography is multidisciplinary in nature.

Ans.  True

13. Climatology is a branch of human geography. od

Ans. False

14. Settlement geography is a branch of physical geography.

Ans. False

15. Geography is dualistic in nature.

Ans. True.

16. Illiteracy adversely affects the regional development.

Ans. True

17. Development is not seen in Himalayan region.

Ans. True

18. Hot and humid climate decreases work efficiency.

Ans. True

19. Areas served by metro railway is a formal region.

Ans. False

20. Ganga river basin is a political region.

Ans. False

Long answr Question

1. Explain the patterns of population distribution in the world.
✓ Key points: (1) regions of high density and reasons (2) regions of moderate density and reasons (3) regions of low density and reasons.

Ans. Human population is unevenly distributed in the world. Population of countries like China, India, Bangladesh, Niger. etc. is increasing rapidly. The total number of people in a particular region is not the only criterion sufficient in the study of patterns of population distribution. The density of population in a particular region is also an important criterion.
(1) Density of Population: Density of population is the number of people living in a particular unit of area. Density of population helps in comparative study of various regions in the world.
(2) Areas of high density of population: Southern Asia, southeast Asia. Central Europe, Western Europe. Eastern USA, etc. are the regions/areas of high density of population in the world. Fertile soil, developed nature of agriculture, monsoon climatic conditions. Join Telegram:-@NOTESPROVIDER12TH_BOARD
(3) Alaska. Canada, Syria, Greenland, Antarctica. Amazon river basin. Congo river basin, Kalahari desert, Pantagonia desen Sahara desert, Colorado desert, desert region in central Australia Saudi Arabia, Rocky mountain, Andes mountain, Himalaya mountain, etc. regions have low density of population in the world.
(4) Continent of Australia, North America and South America have low density of population. No permanent human habitant is found in the continent of Antarctica.

2. What factors are responsible for development of various patterns in a settlement? Give examples.
Key points: (1) structure of the settlement and its visible impact (2) linear settlement (3) circular settlement (4) radial settlement (5) rectangular settlement (6) patternless settlement.

Ans. The morphological setup of the settlement, its structure, visible impact of its nature is called the pattern of settlement. Initially physical factors dominate on the location of a settlement and therefore the foothill settlement or the place of water availability. agricultural land, flat river plains, coastal regions are normally chosen for the location of settlement. However, once the settlement is established its future progress and growth depend on many other factors primarily by the activities and profession as carried by the people. Every human activity has its own specific needs and that slowly gradually influences the future growth of the settlement and that results into a specific patterns morphology and visible impact. There are various factors behind the development of such pattern and accordingly one finds various patterns of settlements which are explain as below:
(1) Linear pattern: When the settlement grows along the banks of a river according to its flow, a settlement grows along the main road or railway line the settlement develops a linear pattern.
(2) Circular pattern: Sometimes the settlement a very strong nodal centre or point. That strong nodal point can be a water body like lake or well or even the palace of a local ruler or an important pilgrimage centre of the region. The future growth of such settlement remains dominated by the centric node and such settlement takes the circular shape.
(3) Radial pattern: This type of settlement is slightly similar to circular pattern only difference there is that all major roads and communication channels radiates outward from the central node and the settlement growth according to those all transportation channels is determined therefore appears as a radial pattern settlement.
(4) Rectangular pattern settlement: This pattern is a gift of planned township particularly in the post-industrial era the road network crosses each other at the right angle and settlement growth according to those roads running parallel to each other. Such settlement develops a rectangular pattern.
(5) Patternless settlement: Once the settlement is formed its future growth and expansion is not dominated by any particular reason and such settlement growths in proportionately to different directions and therefore it does not develop any specific shape or pattern. This phenomenon is primarily seen in when the old settlement has faced the post industrial development.

3. Write a note on areas in the world practicing animal husbandry.
Key points: (1) commercial animal husbandry--temperate grasslands-availability of nutritious animal food-best quality breed of animals professional caring of animals-fast transportation-modern technology processing industry-market- international trade. (2) subsistence animal husbandry-Tropical, arid and semi arid region-monsoon climatic region-additional supportive activity to farming.

Ans. When the animal rearing is done on a very large scale, large ranches and when such animal products are sold in the world market such activity of animal husbandry is called as commercial animal husbandry. Temperate grasslands of the world namely Prairie Pampas steppes Veld and Downs are very famous for commercial animal husbandry. Excellent pleasant climate, temperate location, ery large ranches having soft and nutritious grasslands, the best quality of animal breeds, use capital investment and thereby support necessary medical facilities, the maintenance and caring of animals is done in the most scientific and professional way, fast transport and communication facilities, availability of local as well as international market and scope for international trade are the reasons responsible for the development of animal husbandry on commercial basis. In few regions of the world the animal husbandry is primarily I done for subsistence purpose. The regions of arid and semi arid desert where the climate is extreme the temperature is very high and precipitation is less. Animal husbandry is done on such Tropical Grassland and people sustain on such animal produces. Most of the African country carry the subsistence animal husbandry. The another area where subsistence animal husbandry is rearing carried out is the monsoon climatic region. Here the animal is done as a supportive activity to the principal primary activity of farming. Animals are used here as necessary aid to carry out farming activities and in the post monsoon's dry period. Farmers earn their daily livelihood by doing animal rearing. This way various forms of animal rearing or animal husbandry is seen in different parts of the world.

4. Explain the factors affecting (location of) sugar industry. (Sept. '21)
Key points: (1) raw material (2) transport facility (3) labour force (4) warehousing capacity (5) land (6) electricity supply (7) capital.

Ans. Sugar industry is one of the prominent agro based industries. It is also called as heavy industry as it needs very large scale capital investment. In India sugar industry is mainly Cooperative basis. Following factors affect the sugar industry: run on
(1) Raw material: Sugar industry needs either sugar cane or sugar beet as a raw material. Most of the sugar industries in tropical belt are sugar cane based industry. This raw material is perishable and needs to be processed as early as possible after its harvesting. As a result, sugar factories are normally located close to sugar cane producing zone.
(2) Transport facility: The raw material of sugar industry is bulky and perishable similarly the transportation of sugar from factory to market also needs an effective mode of transportation. Sugar industry therefore primarily depends on good transport facility.
(3) Semi skilled and unskilled labour force: Sugar industry needs a large number of labour force most of them are unskilled labour force to cut the sugar cane from the farms and to do some other works in sugar factory. It also needs some semi skilled labour.
(4) Warehousing capacity: Sugar industry needs a very large capacity to store the sugar produced from the factory till it isdistributed to market. As sugar needs to be protected from unseasonal rain, floods and climate therefore sugar industry need to have a very large capacity of warehousing facility.
(5) Need of land: Sugar industry needs an extensive land for the construction of sugar factory, for the storage of final produced sugar as well as for loading and unloading of sugar cane that comes from the field. Sugar industry largely depends on electricity supply. Industry generate their own electricity through the baggage of sugar cane this proportion however, is very limited.
(6) Capital: Sugar industry needs a very heavy investment. Most of the sugar factories in India are run on Cooperative basis where the sugar cane farmers are also shareholders of such factory and then actually share the profit of such sugar industry.

5. Explain the impact of transportation cost and market place on the location of an industry.
Key points: (1) nature of finished product (2) impact of transportation cost.

Ans. (1) Market and industry location: Industries ultimately need the market place to sell out their finished product and this factor definitely decides the location of an industry. When the finished product is of very odd size and shape it is always better to locate such industries near the market place for example automobile industry. railway engine, construction. Similarly the productions which are based on the liking of individual consumer is also normally located near market place, garment making fashion designing are the best example of such industry. The industries which produce very lightweight and fragile products are normally located in market place for example glassware pottery, assembling of electronic goods like television and computers, similarly if the finished product is perishable and has its very less shelf life, such industries are also located near market place for example Bakery and confectionery industry.
(2) Transportation cost and industrial location: The transportation of raw material to industry and finished product to market place is an integral part of industrial location. The nature of raw material as well as nature of finished product determines the transportation cost and this inter-alia decides the location of industry. Water transportation is the cheapest means of transportation therefore the very heavy bulky and durable commodities are normally transported through water ways. For example, the internal waterways in the Great Lakes of USA which are further connected to International transportation provide an excellent background and therefore most of the industries are located in North Eastern part of America. If the transportation cost is very high the cost of finished product also increases and that affects the sale of the product in market similarly the finished product which is of very heavy bulky and odd size and shape are the finished product which is very fragile and delicate involves more transportation cost which also affects the location of an industry.

6. What is region?
✓ Key points: (1) uniform parameters of either of physical, social, economic for cultural factor (2) a uniform region or place having contiguity (3) region with fixed border (4) a region having fixed location.

Ans. Region is a very important concept in regional geography. Various geographical factors in a specific region are studied in regional geography. The concept of region can be explained with the help of the following points :
(1) Meaning: A continuous piece of land which is differentiated or demarcated on either of the parameters related to physical, social, economic and cultural factors which is having uniform characteristic is called a region. In other words a small or a big piece of land which is having a special contiguity and uniform characteristics or problems is called a region.
(2) Features: Region can be very big or small. Similarly a region has a specific fix boundary and this boundary delimits or segregates one region from the other. Regional boundaries can be demarcated on the basis of physical, political or other basis. Every region is unique in its own and has its own characteristic, therefore every region is different from other regions.
(3) Amalgamation-Division: Every region can be a part of a larger region. For example Punjab is a part of great Northern Indian plain or plateau region of Maharashtra is a part of Deccan Plateau. India is a part of Asia. It means a region is formed by amalgamation of many small regions or it can also be said that a region can be divided into many small and sub small regions.
(4) Basis of formation of region : Region is used as a primary unit of reference for the study of geography. Regions can be formed on the basis of diversity in characteristics. For example according to physical characteristics regions can be formed as mountainous region, forest region, soil region, climatic region, etc. On the basis of economic parameters regions can be formed as developed region, underdeveloped region, industrial region, crop region, region of specific resource or region according to GDP. On the basis of social characteristics various regions can be formed as region with less or more literacy rate, region of migrants, region with highest malnutrition and according to cultural characteristics various regions like tribal region, fisherman's region or a region of specific language and race can be identified.

7. Explain the scope and subject matter of human geography.
✓ Key points: (1) definition (2) nature and extent (3) impact and sub branches (4) diverse nature.

Ans. The impact of human activities on the environment of the earth is studied in human geography. The nature has provided number of resources to man and with the help of his ability and skills the man has created his own universe. Human activities have an impact on other natural and physical environment of the earth. Man has made many changes in the physical setup that is naturally formed. He constructed dams across the river and prepared the reservoir behind it. He established number of settlements like cities, installed many factories and thereby also created his own cultural lifestyle. The man has developed his own civilization. Of course, in all this journey the local physical environment has contributed to this progress substantially and therefore the human life is found to be from region to region. As a result the nature of human geography also changes from region to region. The human life observed in Himalayan region in northern parts of India is found to be quite different from the human life that is found in the Nilgiri ranges in southern part of India. The human civilization that evolved along the river banks and along the coastal regions is also not the same. The lifestyle of people in Rajasthan and the lifestyle of people in Arunachal Pradesh, the lifestyle of people in Goa is found to be much different. People living on the plateau region of Eastern Africa is found to be much different than the people living in plateau region of Tibet or Deccan Plateau of India. As topography changes the human life also changes. In the extreme climatic conditions like hot and dry climate of Sahara Desert and tropical climate of India and Sri Lanka or the temperate climate of European climate of north polar region, human life is much different. To conclude the human lifestyle changes from natural conditions and therefore the study of human geography also changes. The scope of human geography is therefore much wider and it is primarily related to population distribution, economic activities, the nature of construction of houses and settlements, the development of culture and social life, etc. The scope and limits of human geography therefore are very diverse and they changes from region to region.

8. On what factors are the regions differentiated? Give examples.
✓ Key points: (1) formal region (2) functional region.

Ans. Every region has its own characteristics and regions are
demarcated on various basis. There are primarily two types of regions which are as follows:
(1) Formal regions: Region demarcated or delineated on a single factor with uniform characteristics and homogeneous in nature is called formal region. There is only one factor that decides the formal region and also the boundary line of formal region. Formal region can have one or many uniform characteristics. Formal region is homogeneous, cohesive and coherent reason. Region can be based on some uniform feature like elevation, topography, climate, crop region, uniform economic activity, language or cultural factor.
Formal region is normally a region with basic physical geographical unit.
Mountainous region, soil region, forest region, river valley region, etc. are the examples of formal region.
(2) Functional region: Functional region are delineated on the basis of a principal function carried out in a particular territory. Functional region is not necessarily homogeneous or cohesive. There is an inter mix of physical, economic, social and cultural factors in a functional region. In a way functional region shows the heterogeneity and diversity in its characteristics. The boundary line of functional region is flexible and dynamic with time, it keeps on changing as well. Functional regions are framed and shaped with mutual coexistence on the basis of mutual interest like transportation, communication, rural urban interaction, city and suburbs interaction, etc. Functional region is normally a region with economic, social or cultural factor as a unit. Metropolitan region of any major city or transmission coverage area of radio or television programmes are the examples of functional region. In a Pune Metropolitan region, Pune city, its adjacent region suburbs of Pune depend on their neighbourhoods for daily needs like vegetables, flowers and other perishable producers such entire zone which comes under the mutual interest will be called as a functional region of Pune Metropolitan region.

9. Explain the meaning of regional disparity and discuss the factors responsible for regional disparity in India.
✓ Key points: (1) prolong imbalance in economic, social, political and cultural factors (2) arising issues (3) disparity
(4) geographical regions (5) human factors.

Ans. Various geographical factors create a kind of economic. social and cultural imbalance in the region or country. This imbalance reflects in the overall standard of living and lifestyle of the people in two or more different regions. Many a times this imbalance becomes a cause of socio economic and political problems, regional imbalance and reflects in trade industries and even human activities and if this imbalance is not address in time, this takes the shape of regional disparity. If disparity widens at the global level it can create a threat to the global peace and stability. Therefore it is always advisable to have a clear policy to address the imbalance as well as disparity. On the same ground one has to understand the regional imbalance and disparity in Indian context. There are various factors which are responsible for regional imbalance and regional disparity in India. Geographical extent of India is very large. It has also geographical diversity which has reflected on the regional development of various regions of India. This is further created the disparity in formal and functional region. Following factors are responsible for regional disparity in India :
(1) Geographical factors: The location, topography, elevation, availability of resources, availability of facilities like transportation, accessibility of the region, climate of the region, forest are all basically imbalance across many regions in India. This Geographic and imbalance reflects in regional imbalance and regional disparity.
(2) Human factors: Availability of skilled and semi-skilled labourers, differences in technology, transportation, market, communication, facilities like Financial Institutions, Insurance, Bank, investment and disparity in infrastructural facilities are responsible for regional disparity in India.
(3) In some regions despite having at least one very favourable factor some imbalance mention in the above two factors is responsible for or hurdle in the regional development for example the Northeast states are very rich in forest resources but this region lacks in mineral resources or other geographical factors. Similarly, Himachal Pradeshand Uttarakhand in North are basically mountainous region and therefore they are extremely inaccessible in terms of transportation. Eastern coastal states often face many cyclones. Various regions of India have remained backward comparatively. Thus factors responsible for the regional imbalance are physical it has also reflected in human factors as well North Eastern states and the northern states like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh are also deprived of communication facilities and facilities like Financial Institutions like banks and insurance and hence it adds to the agony of those regions and therefore remain backward. To conclude India needs to plan out some strategy and policy to overcome this regional imbalance and regional disparity as early as possible.

10. Development of transportation is dependent on geographical factors. Explain.
✓ Key points: (1) topography (2) climate.
Ans. Transportation enables industries and trade. It is because of transportation, people come together and cultural exchange takes place. Transportation only fulfils the various needs and demandsgoods and commodity. Transportation also plays an important role of people and transportation provides the facility of movement of rehabilitation and rescue operation during natural calamities. Transportation makes tourism and travel possible in other words the overall economic, social and industrial development depends on transportation facilities. There are many factors that influence such an important activity of transportation, among them the topography and climate are the most decisive to factors deciding the transportation as an activity.
(1) Topography: It is comparatively easy to carry on ransportation activity on a flat plane surface of land. That is why most of the river, plains region and coastal plain region is always aving a dense transportation network. In contrast the marshy land. desert land and the mountainous region with steep gradient lack in transportation network.
(2) Climate: It is practically difficult to develop transportation network in extreme climatic conditions like frigid regions, very hot region and the region with very heavy rainfall that is why the northern parts of Canada and Sahara Desert are having less transportation facilities.