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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.


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