Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Dharavi, Mumbai, India
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Urban geography and social studies often discuss large slum settlements to highlight challenges of rapid urbanisation, poverty, and housing shortages. One of the most widely discussed slums is Dharavi in Mumbai, India. Many general knowledge books and exam oriented materials describe Dharavi as the largest slum in the world, especially when taking into account its high population density and significant area within a major city, even though some academic studies debate whether other settlements may be larger by certain measures.
Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question refers to the largest slum in the world as commonly cited in GK sources.- Options include Dharavi (Mumbai), Kibera (Nairobi), Orangi Town (Karachi), and Rocinha (Rio de Janeiro).- Different studies use different criteria, but exams usually follow standard GK references.
Concept / Approach:
Dharavi has a very high population density and is located in the heart of Mumbai, one of the worlds largest cities. Over time, it has become a symbol of both extreme overcrowding and vibrant informal economic activity. While Kibera, Orangi Town, and other settlements are also very large, general knowledge questions in many exam syllabi still typically treat Dharavi as the worlds largest slum based on traditional textbook descriptions.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise the names given. Dharavi in Mumbai is a famous slum frequently mentioned in documentaries and exam books.Step 2: Kibera in Nairobi, Orangi Town in Karachi, and Rocinha in Rio de Janeiro are also major slum areas, but they are less commonly presented as the single largest in standard Indian GK material.Step 3: General knowledge textbooks and question banks often list Dharavi as the largest slum in the world, especially focusing on its population density and long history.Step 4: Based on this pattern and exam expectation, select Dharavi, Mumbai, India, as the correct answer.
Verification / Alternative Check:
Many competitive exam guides and articles on Indian geography introduce Dharavi as the worlds largest slum. Although recent research sometimes points to other settlements such as Orangi Town or the Neza-Chalco-Ixta area in Mexico as comparable or larger, exam oriented references still mainly highlight Dharavi. For exam purposes, this widely adopted view is what matters most.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Kibera, Nairobi, Kenya: A very large and well known slum, but not the one most often labelled the largest in Indian GK sources.Orangi Town, Karachi, Pakistan: Some studies call it one of the largest informal settlements, yet competitive exam books frequently choose Dharavi instead.Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: A prominent favela, but not typically identified as the largest slum in the world in exam materials.
Common Pitfalls:
Students who read up on global research may become aware of debates about which settlement is technically the largest. While such nuance is valuable for deeper understanding, answering GK MCQs correctly usually requires aligning with the conventional textbook narrative. Therefore, when the phrase largest slum in the world appears in an exam context, Dharavi, Mumbai, is the name that candidates should recall first.
Final Answer:
Dharavi, Mumbai, India is often cited in general knowledge books as the largest slum in the world.
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