Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📍 The Question

The term “Levant” often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions?

(a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
(b) Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
(c) Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
(d) The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea

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✅ Correct Answer: (a) Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores

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🎯 Theme of the Question

World Geography | West Asia | Political–Cultural Regions | Terminology in News

This is a conceptual–regional identification question, frequently linked to West Asian geopolitics, conflicts, and history.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

What does the term “Levant” mean?

The word Levant comes from the French lever meaning “to rise”, referring to the region where the sun rises from the perspective of Europe.

Historically and geographically, the Levant refers to the eastern shores of the Mediterranean Sea.

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🌍 Core Region of the Levant

The Levant traditionally includes:

• Syria
• Lebanon
• Israel
• Palestine (West Bank & Gaza)
• Jordan

Some broader definitions may also include:

• Cyprus
• Small parts of southern Turkey

But North Africa, the Persian Gulf, or the entire Mediterranean are not considered part of the Levant.

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❌ Why other options are incorrect

• (b) North African shores (Egypt to Morocco) ❌
  → This region is known as Maghreb, not Levant.
• (c) Persian Gulf & Horn of Africa ❌
  → These belong to Arabian Peninsula and East Africa.
• (d) Entire Mediterranean coast ❌
  → Too broad; includes Europe and North Africa.

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📊 Final Assessment

Option	Region	Status
(a) Eastern Mediterranean	Levant core region	✅ Correct
(b) North Africa	Maghreb	❌
(c) Gulf & Horn of Africa	West Asia / East Africa	❌
(d) Entire Mediterranean	Over-generalised	❌

👉 Answer: (a)

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🧩 Memory Hook

“Levant looks East — where the Mediterranean sun rises.”

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🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

UPSC often tests:

• Old historical terms still used in modern geopolitics
• Cultural regions ≠ political boundaries

Always map:
Levant → Eastern Mediterranean → West Asia

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

Names survive empires.
Maps remember history longer than politics.