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Kangchenjunga Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: Kangchenjunga: Geography, History, and Mountaineering

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Kangchenjunga: Geography, History, and Mountaineering Study Guide

Geographical Attributes and Location

Kangchenjunga is recognized as the second-highest mountain in the world.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kangchenjunga is globally recognized as the third-highest mountain, not the second.

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Kangchenjunga's summit elevation is recorded as 8,586 meters (28,169 feet).

Answer: True

Explanation: The established summit elevation for Kangchenjunga is indeed 8,586 meters (28,169 feet).

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Kangchenjunga is located entirely within the country of Nepal.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kangchenjunga straddles the border between Nepal and India (Sikkim state), thus it is not located entirely within Nepal.

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Prior to 1852, Kangchenjunga was widely believed to be the highest mountain on Earth.

Answer: True

Explanation: Historical surveys and calculations prior to 1852 indicated Kangchenjunga as the world's highest peak.

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The Kangchenjunga Himal section contains 16 peaks exceeding 7,000 meters.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Kangchenjunga Himal, a major sub-range of the Himalayas, is characterized by numerous high peaks, including 16 that surpass 7,000 meters.

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Kangchenjunga is located approximately 125 kilometers west-northwest of Mount Everest.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kangchenjunga is situated approximately 125 kilometers east-southeast of Mount Everest, not west-northwest.

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The Singalila Ridge separates Sikkim from Bhutan.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Singalila Ridge runs south of Kangchenjunga's southern face, separating Sikkim from Nepal and northern West Bengal, not Bhutan.

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Kangchenjunga ranks among the top 10 globally for topographic prominence.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kangchenjunga ranks 29th globally in terms of topographic prominence, not within the top 10.

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Kangchenjunga is the highest elevation point for the Indus River basin.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kangchenjunga serves as the highest elevation point for the Brahmaputra River basin, not the Indus River basin.

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Kangchenjunga Central has an elevation of 8,586 meters.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kangchenjunga Central has an elevation of 8,482 meters (27,828 feet), distinct from the main summit's elevation of 8,586 meters.

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Yalung Kang, also known as Kangchenjunga West, has an elevation of 8,505 meters (27,904 feet).

Answer: True

Explanation: Yalung Kang, identified as Kangchenjunga West, stands at an elevation of 8,505 meters (27,904 feet).

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Kangchenjunga is listed as the third highest peak in Asia on the 'Seven Third Summits' list.

Answer: True

Explanation: Kangchenjunga is recognized as the third highest peak in Asia within the framework of the 'Seven Third Summits' challenge, which identifies the third highest peak on each continent.

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The highest point in Sikkim, India, is Kangchenjunga, reaching 8,586 meters.

Answer: True

Explanation: Kangchenjunga constitutes the highest elevation point within the Indian state of Sikkim, with its summit at 8,586 meters.

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The Singalila Ridge reaches heights of up to 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) south of Kangchenjunga.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Singalila Ridge, situated south of Kangchenjunga, attains elevations ranging up to approximately 11,500 feet (3,500 meters).

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Kangchenjunga's boundaries are defined by the Teesta River to the west and the Tamur River to the east.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kangchenjunga's boundaries are defined by the Tamur River to the west and the Teesta River to the east, with the Lhonak River and Jongsang La to the north.

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Kangchenjunga is the highest elevation point for the Kosi River basin, a tributary of the Ganges.

Answer: True

Explanation: Kangchenjunga serves as the highest point for the Kosi River basin, which is a significant tributary of the Ganges River system.

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What is Kangchenjunga's global ranking in terms of height?

Answer: Third-highest mountain in the world

Explanation: Kangchenjunga is globally ranked as the third-highest mountain.

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Kangchenjunga is situated in which section of the Himalayas?

Answer: Kangchenjunga Himal

Explanation: Kangchenjunga is located within the Kangchenjunga Himal section of the Himalayas.

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Which geographical features define the boundaries of Kangchenjunga?

Answer: Tamur River (west), Lhonak River and Jongsang La (north), Teesta River (east)

Explanation: The primary geographical boundaries of Kangchenjunga are the Tamur River to the west, the Lhonak River and Jongsang La to the north, and the Teesta River to the east.

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Prior to 1852, what was the prevailing belief regarding Kangchenjunga's height?

Answer: It was believed to be the highest mountain in the world.

Explanation: Before the recalibrations of the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, Kangchenjunga was widely considered the highest mountain on Earth.

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What is the approximate distance of Kangchenjunga from Mount Everest in a straight line?

Answer: Approximately 125 kilometers (78 miles) east-southeast

Explanation: Kangchenjunga is located approximately 125 kilometers (78 miles) east-southeast of Mount Everest.

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What is the Singalila Ridge known for in relation to Kangchenjunga?

Answer: It runs south of Kangchenjunga's southern face, separating Sikkim from Nepal and northern West Bengal.

Explanation: The Singalila Ridge serves as a significant geographical feature south of Kangchenjunga, demarcating the border between Sikkim, Nepal, and northern West Bengal.

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What is Kangchenjunga's global ranking by topographic prominence?

Answer: 29th

Explanation: Kangchenjunga holds the 29th position globally in terms of topographic prominence.

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Kangchenjunga serves as the highest elevation point for which major river basin?

Answer: Brahmaputra River basin

Explanation: Kangchenjunga is the highest elevation point for the Brahmaputra River basin, influencing its hydrological system.

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What is the elevation of Kangchenjunga Central?

Answer: 8,482 meters (27,828 feet)

Explanation: Kangchenjunga Central has an elevation of 8,482 meters (27,828 feet).

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What is the significance of Kangchenjunga being the third highest peak in Asia on the 'Seven Third Summits' list?

Answer: It indicates its prominence relative to other peaks on the continent.

Explanation: Being listed as the third highest peak in Asia on the 'Seven Third Summits' list highlights Kangchenjunga's significant prominence within the continental mountain ranges.

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What is the highest point in Sikkim, India, and what is its elevation?

Answer: Kangchenjunga, 8,586 meters (28,169 feet)

Explanation: Kangchenjunga, with an elevation of 8,586 meters (28,169 feet), represents the highest point in the Indian state of Sikkim.

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Historical Expeditions and Mountaineering

Joe Brown and George Band were the first individuals to successfully summit Kangchenjunga in 1955.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 1955 British expedition, led by Charles Evans, achieved the first ascent of Kangchenjunga with Joe Brown and George Band reaching the summit on May 25, 1955.

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The first summiteers of Kangchenjunga stopped at the true summit to plant a flag.

Answer: False

Explanation: Joe Brown and George Band, the first to summit Kangchenjunga, deliberately stopped just short of the true summit to honor a promise to the Chogyal of Sikkim, keeping the summit inviolate.

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The route to Kangchenjunga from northeastern Sikkim in India has been frequently used and remains open.

Answer: False

Explanation: The climbing route from northeastern Sikkim has been infrequently used and has been closed since 2000.

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Aleister Crowley's 1905 expedition successfully reached the summit of Kangchenjunga.

Answer: False

Explanation: Aleister Crowley's 1905 expedition was forced to retreat due to an avalanche before reaching the summit, and it also suffered fatalities.

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The fatality rate for climbers attempting Kangchenjunga's main peak has been low since the 1990s.

Answer: False

Explanation: Conversely to being low, the fatality rate for climbers attempting Kangchenjunga's main peak has been notably high, exceeding 20% since the 1990s.

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Two Norwegians reached within 15-18 meters of the summit in 1907 but were turned back by heavy snowfall.

Answer: False

Explanation: In 1907, two Norwegian climbers approached within 15-18 meters of the summit but were compelled to turn back due to strong winds, not heavy snowfall.

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The Indian Army team led by Colonel Narendra Kumar completed the first ascent of Kangchenjunga's northeast spur in 1977.

Answer: False

Explanation: While the Indian Army team led by Colonel Narendra Kumar achieved the second overall ascent of Kangchenjunga in 1977 and climbed the northeast spur, the provided information does not confirm this as the *first* ascent of that specific spur, as it had previously defeated other expeditions.

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Wojciech Wróż and Eugeniusz Chrobak made the first ascent of Kangchenjunga Central in 1978.

Answer: False

Explanation: The first ascent of Kangchenjunga Central in 1978 was achieved by Wojciech Brański, Zygmunt Andrzej Heinrich, and Kazimierz Olech, not Wróż and Chrobak.

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Doug Scott, Peter Boardman, and Joe Tasker achieved the first ascent of Kangchenjunga without supplemental oxygen in 1979.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 1979, Doug Scott, Peter Boardman, and Joe Tasker accomplished the third ascent of Kangchenjunga and notably, the first ascent without the use of supplemental oxygen, via a new route on the North Ridge.

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The first winter ascent of Kangchenjunga was completed by a Polish team on January 11, 1986.

Answer: True

Explanation: The pioneering first winter ascent of Kangchenjunga was achieved by Polish climbers Jerzy Kukuczka and Krzysztof Wielicki on January 11, 1986.

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Ginette Harrison was the first person, regardless of gender, to climb Kangchenjunga's North Face in 1998.

Answer: False

Explanation: Ginette Harrison was the first woman to climb Kangchenjunga's North Face in 1998, but not the first person overall.

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Edurne Pasaban's 2009 ascent of Kangchenjunga marked her achievement of climbing the world's twelve highest mountains.

Answer: True

Explanation: In 2009, Edurne Pasaban summited Kangchenjunga, which represented her twelfth ascent of an eight-thousander, a significant milestone in her mountaineering career.

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Five climbers tragically disappeared during their descent from Kangchenjunga in May 2013.

Answer: True

Explanation: A tragic incident occurred in May 2013 when five climbers vanished during their descent from Kangchenjunga.

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Chhanda Gayen, the first Indian woman to summit Kangchenjunga, survived an avalanche during her descent in May 2014.

Answer: False

Explanation: Chhanda Gayen, the first Indian woman to summit Kangchenjunga, tragically perished in an avalanche during her descent in May 2014.

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The 'Great Shelf' on Kangchenjunga's Yalung Face is described as a steep, narrow couloir.

Answer: False

Explanation: The 'Great Shelf' on Kangchenjunga's Yalung Face is characterized as a large, sloping plateau covered by a hanging glacier, rather than a steep, narrow couloir.

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The first successful ascent of Kangchenjunga in 1955 involved climbers stopping short of the summit to honor a promise to the Chogyal of Sikkim.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 1955 British expedition's first summiteers, Joe Brown and George Band, adhered to a promise made to the Chogyal of Sikkim, refraining from stepping onto the true summit.

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Who were the first individuals credited with the successful summit of Kangchenjunga, and in what year?

Answer: Joe Brown and George Band in 1955

Explanation: Joe Brown and George Band, members of the 1955 British expedition, achieved the first successful ascent of Kangchenjunga on May 25, 1955.

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Why did Joe Brown and George Band stop just short of Kangchenjunga's true summit?

Answer: To honor a promise made to the Chogyal of Sikkim to keep the peak inviolate.

Explanation: Joe Brown and George Band halted their ascent just before the summit to respect a pledge made to the Chogyal of Sikkim, preserving the mountain's sacred status.

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What is the status of the climbing route from northeastern Sikkim, India, to Kangchenjunga?

Answer: It has been closed since 2000.

Explanation: The climbing route originating from northeastern Sikkim has seen infrequent use and has been officially closed since the year 2000.

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What significant event occurred during Aleister Crowley's 1905 expedition on Kangchenjunga?

Answer: An avalanche forced a retreat after reaching 6,500 meters, causing fatalities.

Explanation: Aleister Crowley's 1905 expedition encountered an avalanche at approximately 6,500 meters, leading to a retreat and resulting in fatalities.

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What is the approximate fatality rate for climbers attempting Kangchenjunga's main peak since the 1990s?

Answer: Over 20%

Explanation: Since the 1990s, the fatality rate for climbers attempting Kangchenjunga's main peak has been substantial, exceeding 20%.

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What achievement did Doug Scott, Peter Boardman, and Joe Tasker accomplish on Kangchenjunga in 1979?

Answer: They established a new route on the North Ridge and climbed without supplemental oxygen.

Explanation: In 1979, Doug Scott, Peter Boardman, and Joe Tasker achieved the first ascent of Kangchenjunga without supplemental oxygen, establishing a new route on the North Ridge.

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Who made the first winter ascent of Kangchenjunga?

Answer: Jerzy Kukuczka and Krzysztof Wielicki

Explanation: The first winter ascent of Kangchenjunga was accomplished by Polish climbers Jerzy Kukuczka and Krzysztof Wielicki.

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What significant milestone did Edurne Pasaban achieve on Kangchenjunga in 2009?

Answer: She completed her twelfth eight-thousander ascent.

Explanation: Edurne Pasaban's 2009 ascent of Kangchenjunga marked her twelfth successful climb of an eight-thousander peak.

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What tragic event befell Chhanda Gayen during her descent from Kangchenjunga in May 2014?

Answer: She was killed by an avalanche.

Explanation: Chhanda Gayen, the first Indian woman to summit Kangchenjunga, tragically died in an avalanche during her descent in May 2014.

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What is the 'Great Shelf' on Kangchenjunga's Yalung Face described as?

Answer: A large, sloping plateau covered by a hanging glacier.

Explanation: The 'Great Shelf' on Kangchenjunga's Yalung Face is characterized as a substantial, sloping plateau adorned with a hanging glacier.

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Cultural Significance and Folklore

Kangchenjunga is considered a sacred mountain by the local populations of Nepal and Sikkim.

Answer: True

Explanation: The reverence for Kangchenjunga as a sacred site influences local practices and perceptions of the mountain.

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Legends describe a hidden valley of immortality on Kangchenjunga, known in Tibetan as Beyul Demoshong.

Answer: True

Explanation: Local legends speak of a sacred hidden valley on Kangchenjunga's slopes, referred to in Tibetan as Beyul Demoshong.

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A British expedition in 1925 reported spotting a creature identified by locals as a 'Kangchenjunga Demon', similar to a yeti.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 1925 British expedition documented an encounter with a creature locals identified as the 'Kangchenjunga Demon,' bearing similarities to yeti descriptions.

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Kangchenjunga has been mentioned in the James Bond novel 'The Spy Who Loved Me'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Kangchenjunga has been referenced in various literary works, but not specifically in Ian Fleming's 'The Spy Who Loved Me'; Raymond Benson's James Bond novel 'High Time to Kill' is cited as a mention.

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The Tibetan name for the hidden valley is 'Beyul Demoshong', and a Lama led followers there in 1962.

Answer: True

Explanation: The legendary hidden valley on Kangchenjunga is known in Tibetan as Beyul Demoshong, and in 1962, Lama Tulshuk Lingpa led a group of followers in an attempt to reach it.

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Which of the following is NOT considered one of the five treasures believed to be hidden on Kangchenjunga?

Answer: Ancient maps

Explanation: According to local lore, the five treasures hidden on Kangchenjunga include gold, precious stones, sacred scriptures, invincible armor, and grain/medicine; ancient maps are not listed among them.

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What is the Tibetan name for the legendary hidden valley on Kangchenjunga's slopes?

Answer: Beyul Demoshong

Explanation: The legendary hidden valley associated with Kangchenjunga is known by the Tibetan name Beyul Demoshong.

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Which of the following is mentioned as a literary work featuring Kangchenjunga?

Answer: The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai

Explanation: Kiran Desai's novel 'The Inheritance of Loss' is cited as one of the literary works that features Kangchenjunga.

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Early Exploration and Scientific Surveys

The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India determined Kangchenjunga to be the highest mountain in the world in 1856.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India, through its calculations in 1849 and subsequent verification, established that Peak XV (later identified as Mount Everest) was higher than Kangchenjunga, with the findings announced in 1856.

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John Kempe's 1954 expedition aimed to discover a practical route to Kangchenjunga's southwest face ice-shelf.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 1954 reconnaissance expedition led by John Kempe focused on identifying a viable route to the significant ice-shelf on Kangchenjunga's southwest face.

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How was it determined that Kangchenjunga was not the world's highest mountain?

Answer: Calculations by the Great Trigonometrical Survey of India in 1849 showed Peak XV (Everest) was higher.

Explanation: The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India's calculations in 1849 indicated that Peak XV (later identified as Mount Everest) surpassed Kangchenjunga in height, leading to its reclassification.

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What was the primary focus of Joseph Dalton Hooker's exploration in the Kangchenjunga region?

Answer: Studying the distribution of Himalayan flora and collecting plants.

Explanation: Joseph Dalton Hooker's expeditions in the Kangchenjunga region were primarily focused on botanical studies, including the distribution of flora and the collection of plant specimens.

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Nomenclature and Etymology

The official spelling 'Kangchenjunga' was established by early Tibetan monks.

Answer: False

Explanation: The official spelling 'Kangchenjunga' was adopted based on the Tibetan pronunciation, refined by figures such as Douglas Freshfield and Alexander Mitchell Kellas, rather than being established by monks.

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The Tibetan name 'Kangchenjunga' translates to 'the highest peak in the world'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Tibetan name 'Kangchenjunga' translates to 'the five treasures of the high snow,' referring to the mountain's five prominent peaks.

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The name 'Kangchenjunga' refers to the five highest peaks of the massif, all exceeding 8,000 meters.

Answer: True

Explanation: The name 'Kangchenjunga' is derived from Tibetan and signifies 'the five treasures of the high snow,' referring to the five main peaks of the massif, all of which surpass 8,000 meters.

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The Nepali name for Kangchenjunga is derived from Tibetan words meaning 'the great white mountain'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Nepali name for Kangchenjunga is Kanchanjanghā, which, along with the Tibetan name Gangs Chen mdzod lnga, translates to 'the five treasures of the high snow,' not 'the great white mountain'.

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What is the meaning of the name 'Kangchenjunga' derived from Tibetan origins?

Answer: The Five Treasures of the High Snow

Explanation: The Tibetan name 'Kangchenjunga' translates to 'the five treasures of the high snow,' referring to the mountain's five principal peaks.

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Environmental and Conservation Context

The glaciers of the Kangchenjunga massif cover an area of about 314 square kilometers.

Answer: True

Explanation: The glacial extent of the Kangchenjunga massif is substantial, covering approximately 314 square kilometers.

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Between 1958 and 1992, all glaciers in the Kangchenjunga Himal region showed signs of significant growth.

Answer: False

Explanation: Studies indicate that between 1958 and 1992, more than half of the examined glaciers in the Kangchenjunga Himal region actually retreated, rather than grew.

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The Khangchendzonga National Park, adjacent to Kangchenjunga, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2016.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Khangchendzonga National Park, a protected area encompassing significant portions of the Kangchenjunga landscape, received UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2016.

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Snow leopards and red pandas are among the endangered animals found in protected areas around Kangchenjunga.

Answer: True

Explanation: The diverse ecosystems surrounding Kangchenjunga provide habitat for several endangered species, including the snow leopard and the red panda.

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The Kangchenjunga transboundary landscape includes the Torsa Strict Nature Reserve in Nepal.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Torsa Strict Nature Reserve is located in Bhutan, not Nepal, and is part of the broader Kangchenjunga transboundary landscape.

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What trend was observed regarding glaciers in the Kangchenjunga Himal region between 1958 and 1992?

Answer: More than half of the examined glaciers had retreated.

Explanation: Between 1958 and 1992, a study of glaciers in the Kangchenjunga Himal region revealed that over half of the examined glaciers exhibited retreat.

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The Khangchendzonga National Park, adjacent to Kangchenjunga, was recognized by UNESCO in which year?

Answer: 2016

Explanation: The Khangchendzonga National Park achieved UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2016.

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Which endangered animal species is found in the protected areas around Kangchenjunga?

Answer: Snow Leopard

Explanation: The protected regions surrounding Kangchenjunga provide habitat for endangered species, including the snow leopard.

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Which of the following is NOT listed as a protected area within the Kangchenjunga transboundary landscape?

Answer: Sagarmatha National Park (Nepal)

Explanation: Sagarmatha National Park is located in Nepal but is not part of the Kangchenjunga transboundary landscape, which includes protected areas in Nepal, India, and Bhutan.

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