The equator does NOT pass through which of the following Countries? 1) Gabon 2) Somalia 3) Equatorial Guinea 4) Rawanda Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

The correct answer is D, that is, statements 3 and 4. Equatorial Guinea and Rwanda both lie entirely away from the equator.

Countries the equator actually crosses include Gabon (statement 1), where it runs near Libreville, and Somalia (statement 2), where it passes through the southern coastal area near Kismayo. Both are therefore wrong as answers to a question asking what the equator does NOT pass through.

• Equatorial Guinea (3): its mainland Rio Muni and the island of Bioko lie north of 0 degrees, so the line stays outside the country.
• Rwanda (4): it sits roughly between 1 and 3 degrees south, so this landlocked East African country is fully south of the line.

Core concept: latitude and the position of countries relative to the equator, which links to the physical geography of Africa and to tropical climatic zones, a recurring Mains GS-I theme. Keep a working list of equatorial countries: Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Sao Tome and Principe, Gabon, Congo, DR Congo, Uganda, Kenya, Somalia, Indonesia, Maldives and Kiribati.

Trap: aspirants see "Equatorial" in the name of Equatorial Guinea and assume the line must pass through it. Names can mislead, so always check the latitude.