Consider the following statements : I. Anadyr in Siberia and Nome in Alaska are a few kilometers from each other, but when people are waking up and getting 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?

1. A. I only
2. B. II only
3. C. Both I and II
4. D. Neither I nor II

Answer: A

Explanation

I. Anadyr (Russia) and Nome (Alaska, USA) are indeed separated by the Bering Strait, which is crossed by the International Date Line (IDL). Due to the IDL, these two locations, despite being geographically close, are on different calendar days. This means that when it’s morning in one, it could be the morning of the previous day in the other, making it ‘different days’. So, statement I is correct. II. The International Date Line runs roughly along the 180° longitude. When crossing the IDL from west to east (e.g., from Anadyr towards Nome), one ‘loses’ a day. Conversely, crossing from east to west ‘gains’ a day. Anadyr is west of the IDL, and Nome is east of it. Therefore, if it is Monday in Anadyr, it would be Sunday in Nome, not Tuesday. So, statement II is incorrect. Understanding the International Date Line and its effect on time and date is a fundamental concept in UPSC Geography.