Places in News for UPSC 2024

 

Kilauea Volcano Eruption:

• • Location: Southern part of the Island of Hawaii (Big Island)
• • Characteristics: Youngest and most active shield volcano
• • Noteworthy Feature: Large summit caldera with a central crater

Al-Hakim Mosque Visit by Indian Prime Minister:

• Location: Cairo, Egypt
• Historical Significance: Named after Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah, the Fatimid caliph
• UNESCO Recognition: Designated as a World Heritage Site in 1979
• Restoration: Undertaken with the support of the Dawoodi Bohra community

Chhukha Hydroelectric Project Tariff Revision:

• Location: South-western part of Bhutan
• Project Type: Run-of-the-river hydroelectric project
• Funding Structure: 60% grant and 40% loan from the Government of India (Gol)

Mayon Volcano Eruption in Southeastern Luzon, Philippines:

• Characteristics: Active volcano with a symmetrical shape
• Geographic Region: Southeastern Luzon, Philippines
• Geological Context: Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire region

Fraser Island Renamed as K’gari by the Australian Government:

• Location: Southeast coast of Queensland, Australia
• Significance: Largest sandy island globally
• Cultural Connection: Belongs to the Butchulla people
• Indigenous Perspective: Traditional name changed to K’gari

Anak Krakatau Volcano Eruption in Indonesia:

• Location: Sunda Strait, between Java and Sumatra islands
• Parentage: Offspring of the famous Krakatau
• Historical Context: Krakatau’s 1883 eruption caused global cooling

Stranded Migrants on Diego Garcia Island:

• Location: Largest coral atoll in the Chagos Archipelago
• Geopolitical Context: Part of the British Indian Ocean Territory
• Discovery: Identified by the Portuguese in the early 16th century

Resurgence of Lion and Leopard Populations in Kafue National Park:

• Location: Largest national park in Zambia
• Topography: Named after the Kafue River
• Wildlife Conservation: Significant improvement in lion and leopard populations

Impact of Eretmoptera murphyi on Soil Composition on Signy Island:

• Location: Small subantarctic island in Antarctica
• Research Station: Maintained by the British Antarctic Survey (BAS)
• Botanical Composition: Dominated by cryptogams; only two flowering plant species present

WHO Certification of Belize as a Malaria-Free Country:

• Location: Northeast coast of Central America, south of the Yucatan Peninsula
• Geographical Context: Bounded by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea
• Natural Marvel: Belize Barrier Reef, the second-largest barrier reef globally
• Global Health Recognition: Certification by the World Health Organization

Orkney Islands:

• Location: Archipelago of 70 islands, U.K.
• Status: Exploring separation, potential self-governing territory of Norway.
• Heritage: Heart of Neolithic Orkney, UNESCO World Heritage site.
• UPSC Perspective: Neolithic sites crucial for understanding early human civilizations.

Vilnius

• Location: Capital of Lithuania.
• Event: Conclusion of NATO Summit 2023.
• Recognition: UNESCO World Heritage Site for its old town architecture.
• UPSC Perspective: Geopolitical significance of NATO summits in Eastern Europe.

Kakhovka Dam

• Location: Dnieper River, southern Ukraine.
• Purpose: Built for hydroelectric power, irrigation, and navigation.
• Status: Collapse of the Soviet-era dam.
• UPSC Perspective: Infrastructure challenges and environmental impacts.

Batagaika Crater

• Location: Chersky Range, Sakha Republic, Russia.
• Nature: Largest permafrost crater, impacted by climate change.
• Nickname: “Gateway to the Underworld.“
• UPSC Perspective: Study of permafrost and climate change implications.

Cam Ranh Bay

• Location: Vietnam, Khanh Hoa Province.
• Significance: Strategic deep-water bay, handed over Indian Naval Ship Kirpan.
• Recognition: Considered Southeast Asia’s finest Deepwater shelter.
• UPSC Perspective: Geostrategic importance in maritime security.

Strait of Hormuz

• Location: At the mouth of the Persian Gulf, separating Iran and Oman.
• Incident: Iranian attempt to seize oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
• UPSC Perspective: Key chokepoint, critical for global oil trade.

Crimean Bridge

• Location: Connects Russia and Crimea.
• Event: Section blown up recently, part of crucial transportation route.
• Name: Also known as Kerch bridge, opened in 2018.
• UPSC Perspective: Geopolitical tensions and infrastructure challenges.

Democratic Republic of Congo

• Location: Central Africa.
• Concern: Spike in cholera cases, raising health concerns.
• Size: 2nd largest African country, bordered by multiple nations and the South Atlantic Ocean.
• UPSC Perspective: Health challenges in African nations and their implications.

Ubinas Volcano

• Location: Moquegua region, Peru.
• Emergency: State of emergency declared due to ongoing volcanic activity.
• Type: Strato-volcano in the Andes, part of a volcanic zone extending from southern Peru to northern Chile.
• UPSC Perspective: Volcanic hazards and impact on local communities.

Peru

• Location: Western South America.
• Emergency: National emergency declared due to a surge in Guillain-Barre Syndrome cases.
• Features: 3rd largest South American country, bordered by Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, and the Pacific Ocean.
• UPSC Perspective: Public health challenges in developing countries.