Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

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📍 The Question

Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin?

(a) Cameroon
(b) Nigeria
(c) South Sudan
(d) Uganda

Correct Answer: (a) Cameroon

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🎯 Theme of the Question

World Geography | Drainage Basins | Tropical Rainforests | Africa

This question tests knowledge of major river basins of Africa, especially the Congo Basin, which is frequently in news due to climate and carbon-storage discussions.

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🧠 Classroom Explanation

Let us first understand what the Congo Basin is.

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🌍 About the Congo Basin

• The Congo Basin is the second-largest tropical rainforest basin in the world (after the Amazon)
• It is drained by the Congo River system
• It plays a crucial role in:
  • Global carbon sequestration
  • Climate regulation
  • Biodiversity conservation

The basin stretches across six countries:

• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Republic of the Congo
• Equatorial Guinea
• Gabon

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🔍 Evaluating the Options

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🔹 (a) Cameroon ✅

• Southern and eastern parts of Cameroon lie within the Congo Basin
• Drained by tributaries of the Congo River

✔️ Correct

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🔹 (b) Nigeria ❌

• Nigeria lies mainly in:
  • Niger Basin
  • Lake Chad Basin
• No part of Nigeria falls in the Congo Basin

✘ Incorrect

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🔹 (c) South Sudan ❌

• South Sudan is part of the Nile Basin
• Drained mainly by the White Nile

✘ Incorrect

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🔹 (d) Uganda ❌

• Uganda is also part of the Nile Basin
• Drained by Lake Victoria and the White Nile system

✘ Incorrect

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📊 Final Assessment

Country	Part of Congo Basin?
Cameroon	✅ Yes
Nigeria	❌ No
South Sudan	❌ No
Uganda	❌ No

👉 Correct answer: (a) Cameroon

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❌ UPSC Elimination Logic

• UPSC expects:
  • Clear distinction between African river basins
• Common trap:
  • Confusing Nile Basin countries with Congo Basin

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🧩 Memory Hook

“Congo flows through the forested heart — Cameroon touches that heart.”

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🧠 Prelims Strategy Insight

For African geography:

• Congo Basin → Central Africa
• Nile Basin → East Africa
• Always mentally trace the river course, not political boundaries alone

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🧭 IAS Monk Whisper

Basins don’t follow borders — rivers decide geography.