Which of the following statements regarding the hydrography of Central Asia are correct? 1. The Aral Sea basin is an endorheic depression shared between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. 2. Lake Balkhash is an endorheic lake located in southeastern Kazakhstan, ranking among Asia's largest lakes. 3. The Amu Darya originates in the Pamir Mountains and is formed by the confluence of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers. 4. The Syr Darya originates in the Tian Shan mountain system, flowing through Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. Select the answer using the code given below: |ForumIAS

[A] 1 and 3

[B] 2 and 4 only

[C] 1, 2, 3 and 4

[D] 1 and 4 only

Answer: C

Notes:

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Aral Sea lies between southern Kazakhstan and northern Uzbekistan.
Statement 2 is correct: Lake Balkhash is a major endorheic basin situated in southeastern Kazakhstan.
Statement 3 is correct: The Amu Darya rises in the Pamirs north of the Hindu Kush and forms at the junction of the Vakhsh and Panj rivers.
Statement 4 is correct: The Syr Darya rises in the Tian Shan range in Kyrgyzstan and flows through Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.