UPSC NDA 2 2016 General Ability Solved Paper

Concept:The Mediterranean type of biome is primarily found on the western side of continents between $30^\circ$ and $45^\circ$ latitude, with a climate of hot‑dry summers and cool‑wet winters.Explanation:The Mediterranean biome occurs in central Chile because the region lies on the western coast of South America in the correct latitude belt and experiences the typical dry‑summer, wet‑winter pattern.Argentina has temperatures similar to a Mediterranean climate (e.g., Buenos Aires averages $11^\circ\mathrm{C}$ in July and $25^\circ\mathrm{C}$ in January), but it receives rainfall even in summer, which disqualifies it from being a true Mediterranean biome.Kenya is near the equator and has a tropical climate, not Mediterranean.Bolivia is landlocked and its climate ranges from tropical to high‑altitude cold, lacking the characteristic Mediterranean conditions.Other notable Mediterranean regions include California, the Cape region of South Africa, southern Australia, and southwest Australia.The Mediterranean Sea region gives this climate its name, and local winds such as the hot, dusty Sirocco and the cold Mistral are common there.Answer:Option A: Chile.