The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The East African Plateau is a massive high-altitude tableland in Eastern Africa. It is a tectonic plateau associated with the East African Rift System, characterized by broad uplift rather than the specific fault-block mechanics that define block mountains.- Statement 1 is Correct: The East African Plateau covers a vast region in eastern Central Africa. Its geographical extent primarily encompasses Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It is bounded by the eastern and western branches of the East African Rift System.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: The East African Plateau is a plateau (a broad, elevated tableland), not a block mountain system. While the region contains specific block mountains (such as the Ruwenzori Mountains) and volcanic mountains (such as Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Kenya) resulting from rifting and faulting, the plateau itself is a distinct landform category defined by its flat or rolling terrain at high elevation.
- Statement 3 is Correct: The plateau is globally renowned for its scenic beauty, savanna ecosystems, and biodiversity. It hosts famous protected areas like the Serengeti and Masai Mara, making tourism a critical economic activity in the region.
Key Takeaway: The East African Plateau is a broad tectonic uplift that hosts the Rift Valley system; it should be distinguished from the specific block mountains (horsts) and volcanic peaks found within that system.