Places in News for UPSC 2025 for Prelims and Mains Exam

• Recently Pakistani Army carried out air strikes in the Paktika Province of Afghanistan.

• Location: In eastern Afghanistan, on the border with Pakistan.
• Significance: Paktika is a strategically important province due to its proximity to the Durand Line, which makes it easy for militants to cross between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• Durand Line: It is the international border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

• Recently, Kilauea volcano erupted on Hawaii’s Big Island.

• Location: It is located along the southeastern shore of Hawaii Island.
• It is one of the world’s most active volcanoes.
• Volcanic Eruption: 99% of gas molecules emitted during a volcanic eruption are Water Vapor, CO2 and SO2.
• The remaining 1% is composed of small amounts of hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride etc.

• India has sent a consignment of 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Lesotho to assist in addressing the food security and nutritional needs of its people.

• Location: It is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. It is completely surrounded by South Africa, making it the largest sovereign enclave globally.
• It is situated in the Maloti Mountains.
• River: Orange River (one of the longest rivers in Africa) rises in the Lesotho Highlands as Sinqu River.

• Location: It is an extended arm of the Atlantic Ocean in Northern Europe.
• Bordering Countries: Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden.
• It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Danish Straits.

• President-elect Donald Trump has expressed interest in acquiring Greenland, an autonomous territory of Denmark.

• Location: Between the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans. It is the world’s largest island.
• Presently it is an autonomous territory under the Kingdom of Denmark.
• Three-fourths of its surface is permanently covered by ice.
• It is majorly inhibited by the Inuit community.

• Location: Caucasus region, on the eastern edge of the Black Sea.
• Capital: Tbilisi (Tiflis)
• Bordered by: Russia, Armenia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and the Black Sea.
• It was part of the Soviet Union until 1991.

• Mount Taranaki has become the 3rd natural feature in New Zealand to be bestowed with an individual/Human status, after Te Urewera National Park and Whanganui River.

• Location: North Island, New Zealand, on the Taranaki Peninsula.
• It is a stratovolcano and is made up of alternating layers of ash and lava flow.
• It is one of the most symmetrical volcanic cones in the world.
• It was created by the subduction of the Pacific Plate below the Australian Plate.
• The Indigenous Maori people of New Zealand respect the snow-covered Taranaki Maunga as a sacred ancestor.

• Thousands of residents have fled Santorini after earthquakes were recorded near the Greek island for a fourth consecutive day.

• Location: It is a Greek Island in the South Aegean Sea.
• It is the southernmost island of the Cyclades group of islands.
• It is home to the Santorini Caldera, one of the most active volcanic centers in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc.
• It is historically known for the Minoan eruption (around 3,600 years ago), one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history.

• The illegal journey into the US often involves dangerous crossings through multiple countries, including the treacherous Darien Gap

• The Darien Gap is a dense, lawless region located between Panama and Colombia.
• It is situated in the narrowest part of the Isthmus of Panama.
• It is approximately 160 km long and 50 km
• It is characterized by thick rainforests, swamps, rivers and rugged mountains.
• It is a major route for migrants from South America, Africa and Asia heading toward the U.S.
• It’s one of the most dangerous migration routes in the world.

• Recently, the USA and El Salvador signed an agreement regarding the deportation of criminals.

• Location: Central America
• Bordering Countries: Honduras & Guatemala.
• It is the smallest and most densely populated of the seven Central American countries.
• It was the first country to adopt Bitcoin as legal tender (2021).

• Recently Cook Islands signed an “action plan for the comprehensive strategic partnership” with China.
• The agreement expands diplomatic and economic relations between the Cook Islands and China.

• Location: South Pacific Ocean
• Total Islands: 15 volcanic and coral islands
• Cook Islands is not fully independent. It operates as a self-governing nation in free association with New Zealand

• Residents of Bukavu formed long lines outside banks to withdraw cash, a scarce commodity since the M23 rebel group seized control of the city.

• The M23 rebels, backed by Rwanda, have advanced in eastern Congo, seizing key areas.
• Recently they entered Bukavu, the second-largest city in eastern Congo, and took control of Kavumu airport.
• Earlier they seized Goma, the largest city in the region.
• The conflict has displaced 350,000 people and worsened the humanitarian crisis.

• The Pacific island nation of Nauru is planning to sell citizenships to finance the relocation of nearly 10,000 residents from low-lying coastal areas threatened by rising sea levels and flooding.
• The funds will be used to develop a new township in the island’s interior.

• Location: A tiny island nation in the Pacific Ocean, about 4,000 km northeast of Sydney, Australia.
• Size: 21 sq. km (one of the world’s smallest countries).
• Population: Around 10,000
• Capital: No official capital, but Yaren functions as the administrative center.

• Recently, a volcano erupted at Mount Dukono in Indonesia.

• Location: Halmahera Island, North Maluku, Indonesia.
• It is an active Strato Volcano.

Major volcanoes erupted recently in Indonesia

• Mount Merapi: Located near the city of Yogyakarta.
• Mount Ruang: It is a stratovolcano located in the Sulawesi Islands.
• Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki: Located in Flores island

• Location: Sicily, Italy.
• It is located above the convergent plate boundary between the African and Eurasian Plates.
• It is a Stratovolcano (Composite Volcano)

• Recently Vietnam’s foreign ministry released a map defining its baseline claim in the Gulf of Tonkin.
• Purpose: To protect and enforce Vietnam’s sovereign rights in the Gulf of Tonkin.

• Location: Situated in the northwestern South China Sea.
• It borders Vietnam (West & Northwest) and China (North & East).
• It is referred to as “Beibu Gulf” in Chinese and “Bac Bo Gulf” in Vietnamese.
• Historical Significance:
  • Vietnam War (1964): The Gulf of Tonkin Incident led to U.S. military intervention in Vietnam.

• The Caspian Sea is undergoing a severe environmental crisis with declining water levels and shrinking coastline.
• In 2003, the Caspian littoral states signed the (Tehran) Framework Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Caspian Sea.

• Location: between Europe and Asia, east of the Caucasus Mountains and west of the Central Asian steppe.
• It is the largest enclosed inland body of water on Earth by area. (world’s largest lake).
• Bordered by: Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, & Iran.
• Primary Inflows: Volga River, Ural River, Kura River, Terek River.
• The region is rich in oil, natural gas and biodiversity, making it strategically and economically significant.

• Torkham is a major border crossing between Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province.
• It is part of the historic Khyber Pass, a crucial trade and military route for centuries.
• It is a key route for the movement of goods, people, and aid between the two countries.
• Afghanistan relies on it for access to Pakistan’s seaports and global markets
  

• Recently, the countries bordering Lake Tanganyika Basin have launched a five-year project to assess and address transboundary threats to the biodiversity of this lake basin.
• It is the UN Environment Programme (UNEP)–led initiative and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

• Location: Central Africa
• Bordering Countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania and Zambia.
• It is the second-largest freshwater lake in the world by volume and the second-deepest lake globally, after Lake Baikal.
• Also, it is the longest freshwater lake in the world.
• Main Inflows: Ruzizi River (from Lake Kivu), Malagarasi River (from Tanzania), Kavuu and Lufubu Rivers (from Zambia).

• Location: Ross Island, Antarctica.
• It is the southernmost active volcano on Earth.
• It was discovered in 1841 by British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, named after his ship, the HMS Erebus.
• It has an active lava lake.
• It is part of the Ring of Fire that encircles the Pacific Ocean basin.
• It is one of only two volcanoes on the continent that are considered to be active; Deception Island is the other.

• Location: An island country in the southeastern Caribbean Sea.
• Barbados is not part of the nearby archipelago of the Lesser Antilles, although it is usually grouped with it.
• Lesser Antilles is a long arc of small islands in the Caribbean Sea extending in a north-south direction from the Virgin Islands to Grenada.

• It is the longest river in Ukraine and the fourth longest in Europe. (2200 km)
• Origin: Valdai Hills, Russia.
• Flows through: Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine, before emptying into the Black Sea.
• Divides Ukraine into east and west, making it a natural military barrier.
• Role in the War:
  • Kherson region is located at the mouth of the Dnipro, making it a critical zone in the conflict.

• Location: A coastal province in northwestern Syria, bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
• Historical Significance:
  • Stronghold of the Alawite minority and the Assad family.
• Strategic Importance:
  • Home to Russia’s Hmeimim Air Base, a crucial military installation.
  • Major port city and economic hub.
• Syria Bordering Countries: Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel and Lebanon.

• Location: Flores Island, southeastern Indonesia.
• It is part of the Lewotobi twin volcano complex, comprising Lewotobi Laki-Laki (Male) and Lewotobi Perempuan (Female) stratovolcanoes.
• Strato volcano: It is a large, steep-sided volcano that’s formed by layers of hardened lava, ash, and other volcanic debris. They are known for their steep sides, explosive eruptions and high-viscosity magma.

• Location: West Antarctica, Part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
• Nickname: Doomsday Glacier (due to its potential to significantly raise sea levels)
• It acts as a natural barrier, preventing inland glaciers from rapidly flowing into the ocean.
• It holds enough ice to raise global sea levels by ~3-5 meters if fully melted.
• It covers an area roughly the size of Great Britain.

• Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt military strikes in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure.
• The agreement was reached during U.S.-brokered talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

• It is a large inland sea located between Eastern Europe and Western Asia.
• It is connected to the Mediterranean Sea via the Bosphorus Strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles Strait.
• Countries bordering Black Sea: Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia & Romania.

(Trick to Remember – T-BURGeR)

• Rivers draining in Black Sea: Danube, Dnieper, Don.

• Location: It lies partly in Asia and partly in Europe.
• Bordering Countries: Georgia, Armenia Greece, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria.
• Surrounded water bodies: Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and Aegean Sea.
• Major Rivers: Euphrates, Tigris and Kizilirmak.
• Important Straits: Bosphorus strait and Dardanelles strait.
• Turkey is a member of NATO. It has 2nd Largest Army in NATO after the USA.

• Location: Polynesia, South Pacific Ocean
• It consists of some 170 islands divided into 3 main island groups: Tongatapu in the south, Ha‘apai in the centre and Vava‘u in the north.
• Tonga is a member of the Commonwealth and United Nations.
• It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.

• Location: China’s Fujian Province (west) and Taiwan (east).
• It is a 110-mile-wide (180 km) waterway separating mainland China and Taiwan.
• It is also called the Formosa Strait.
• One-third of the world’s shipping traffic passes through the Taiwan Strait.
• It connects the South China Sea and the East China Sea.
• Rivers draining: Jiulong and Min.
• Major Ports of Taiwan: Kaohsiung, Anping, Keelung, Suao.

• Deir al-Balah is a Palestinian city in the central Gaza Strip.
• It is located over 14 kilometers south of Gaza City.
• The city is known for its date palms, after which it is named.
• Deir El-Balah refugee camp is the smallest refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.

• It is a massive iron ore mine located in Guinea, West Africa.
• It is Africa’s largest mining project.
• Simandou’s ore contains 3% iron content, higher than most Australian iron ore.
• Ownership Structure:
  • 75% controlled by Chinese companies, including Baosteel.
  • 25% owned by Rio Tinto, the world’s largest iron ore miner.

• Last valley before the border with Tibet.
• Dominated by Byansis, one of the four Bhotiya communities of Kumaon.
• Formed by the river Kuti Yankti, a headwater of the Kali River.

• The tenth highest mountain in the world at 8,091 meters.
• Known as the Killer Mountain due to its fatality to summit rate.
• Located in the Annapurna mountain range of Gandaki Province, north-central Nepal.

• Located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu.
• Connects the Western and Eastern Ghats.
• Sustains elephant populations and their genetic diversity.
• Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.

• Union place of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka Boundary.
• Located between Mudumalai National Park and the New Amarambalam Reserved Forest.
• The main crops cultivated include tea, coffee, cardamom, cloves, pepper, ginger, and plantain.
• Attraction: Santhana Malai (sandalwood hill).

• Known as the lungs of Chhattisgarh.
• Lies in the catchment area of the Hasdeo river.
• Ecologically sensitive with rich biodiversity and a large migratory corridor for elephants.
• Crucial for irrigation and agriculture.

• The third largest river system in peninsular India.
• Originates in Chhattisgarh, flows through Odisha into the Bay of Bengal.
• Major tributaries include Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand, Ib, Ong, Tel, and Jonk. Supports various dams and urban centres along its course.

• Largest freshwater lake in Northeast India.
• Known for floating circular swamps called phumdis.
• Houses Keibul Lamjao National Park, the only floating national park in the world.
• Designated Ramsar site and listed under the Montreux Record. Rich biodiversity.

• Foot-over bridge designed for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Spans the Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
• Part of the major west-flowing river system in India.

• The largest lake in Kerala and the longest in India.
• Bound by Alappuzha, Kottayam, and Ernakulam districts.
• Source of four rivers: Meenachil, Achankovil, Pampa, and Manimala.
• Ramsar site and identified under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.
• Houses Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary.

• Located in Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh.
• A historic port town with European trading connections.
• Proposed deep sea port on the Bay of Bengal coast.
• Located 65 km from Vijayawada.
• Planned in two phases by the Andhra Pradesh Maritime Board.

• Only perennial river in Tamil Nadu.
• Originates in the Pothigai hills, flows through Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts.
• Supports diverse wildlife and mentioned in Sangam Era literature.

• Narmada is largest west-flowing river of peninsular India.
• It Originates from Maikala range near Amarkantak, flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat.
• Supports various hydro power projects.
• Associated with Narmada Bachao Andolan social movement.

• Distributary of Mahanadi River in Odisha.
• Branches away from Mahanadi at Ayatpur village flows for 40 km before rejoining Mahanadi.
• Important for flood control and maintaining river flow.

• The bridge is being built in Begusarai, Bihar.
• Connects Matihani and Sambho, linking NH-31 and NH-80.
• Exception made by NHAI for feasibility.
• Expected to shorten travel routes and ensure safety for industrial units.

• Mathura, a significant religious site, mentioned in Ramayan and historical records.
• The plan includes a ban on tourist vehicles, revival of water bodies and forests, forming ‘Parikrama Paths’.
• Divided into four clusters for holistic development.

• Located in Aizawl district, Mizoram.
• SPMRM aims to develop ‘Rurban villages’.
• Focus on holistic development and infrastructure provision.
• Clusters were identified based on rural areas showing signs of urbanization.

• Rs 7,525 crore port project under PPP model with Adani Ports at Vizhinjam, Kerala.
• Construction is ongoing, missed deadlines.
• Expected to boost economy, strategic importance.
• Protests by fishermen due to sea erosion, and livelihood concerns.

• Assured depth dredging of Barak river (NW-16) from Badarpur to Bhanga.
• Aimed at improving navigability and facilitating transportation.

• Parasnath Hill: Significant for Sammed Shikharji Jain Temple, where 20 tirthankaras achieved Moksha.
• Shetrunjay Hill: Considered sacred by Jains, houses temples including Adinath Temple. Shetrunji River flows nearby.

• Associated with cultural festivals and the Manipur Pony.

• Adds to the region’s historical significance, reflecting Buddhism’s past presence.

• Contains the remains of Ahom royalty, transitioning from mound burials to cremations over time.

• Spread across 15 acres, blend Mughal and English landscaping styles.
• Houses numerous floral varieties and unique architectural features.

• One of the largest cities in the Donbas region of Ukraine.
• A significant industrial hub is known for chemical works and machine-building factories.

• Located between the Greek peninsula and Asia Minor.
• Connected to the Mediterranean and Black Seas. Important for regional navigation and geopolitics.

• Located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea.
• Haiti is a beautiful country with a rich history and culture.
• It occupies the western third of the island of Hispaniola.

• Located in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest.
• Home to isolated tribal groups and significant biodiversity.
• Hotspots for violent crimes and illegal activities like drug trafficking.

• Largest and second-most populous island of England.
• Separated from the mainland by The Solent.
• Designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
• A recent discovery of Europe’s largest meat-eating dinosaur.

• Also known as Snake Island. Small Ukrainian island in the Black Sea.
• Notable for recent airstrikes by Ukraine causing losses to the Russian military.

• Baltimore, founded in 1729, is a vibrant city located on the Patapsco River in Maryland, USA.
• During the American Revolution, Baltimore played a vital role.
• Baltimore has always been a hub of culture and innovation

• South American country with coastlines on both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
• The recent election of the first left-wing president.
• Part of the world’s seventeen megadiverse countries.

• Autonomous province in Uzbekistan. Recent protests over government plan to restrict autonomy.
• Karakalpak people consider themselves a distinct cultural group.

• Southeast European country, formerly part of Yugoslavia.
• Long-standing quest to join the European Union.
• Recent protests over EU membership hurdles.

• Disputed archipelago in the South China Sea.
• Recent tension due to a US destroyer sailing near the islands.
• Claims by China and other neighbouring countries.

• Largest Ukrainian seaport in the Black Sea basin.
• Major transportation hub for freight and passengers.
• Base for Ukrainian Navy operations.

• Central American country with recent closure of Catholic Church radio stations.
• Tensions between government and religious institutions.

• Key European shipping route facing low water levels due to hot and dry weather.
• Important for industrial transport and global trade.

• The largest lake in Italy, affected by severe drought causing low water levels.
• Significant impact on agriculture and tourism.

• South American country where Indian Minister unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi.
• Historic ties to India’s independence movement.

• China’s largest freshwater lake facing a significant water level drop due to drought.
• Important for regulating Yangtze River flow and biodiversity.

• A tiny island off the coast of Singapore known for man-made beaches and tourist attractions.
• Historical significance from World War II.

• Country in the western Balkans with a recent political crisis amid elections. The capital is Sarajevo.

• West African country experiencing its second coup of the year.
• Landlocked and bordered by several neighbouring countries.

• Largest active volcano in the world located in Hawaii.
• Recent warnings of potential eruption.
• Part of Big Island’s volcanic landscape.

• Wildfires in Arctic regions intensified by global warming.
• Threat to peatlands and biodiversity.
• Presence of “zombie fires”.

• Melanesian island nation in the South Pacific facing existential threat from climate change.
• Sea level rise and other impacts affecting livelihoods and security.

• Highest volcano in Java, Indonesia.
• Recently erupted in Eastern Java Island.
• Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
• Forms part of Island Arcs due to subduction of Indo-Australian plate below Sunda Plate.

• A series of large interconnected freshwater lakes in North America.
• Consists of Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario.
• Largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth.
• Important for transportation, migration, and fishing.

• Passport-free zone in Europe.
• Guarantees free movement for EU citizens and legal residents.
• Croatia recently joined as the 27th nation.

• Located in South America.
• Bordered by Atlantic Ocean, Brazil, Venezuela, Suriname.
• Rich biodiversity, significant oil discovery in 2015.
• English is the official language.

• Longest above-water mountain range in the world.
• Extends over seven countries in South America.
• Contains the highest peak, Mount Aconcagua.
• Key facts about Peru included.

• Major river in Europe, flows through Poland and Germany.
• Experienced an ecological disaster due to toxic algal bloom in 2022.
• Contributing factors include human activity, drought, and hydro morphological modifications.

• Strategic port in northern Israel.
• Acquired by Adani Group for USD 1.2 billion.
• Handles container cargo and passenger traffic.
• Constructed in 1933 by the British.

• Breakaway region of Moldova, not recognized as independent.
• Supported by Russian troops since 1990-1992.
• Highly dependent on Russia for subsidies and gas.

• Occupied territory by Israel since the Six-Day War of 1967.
• Sandwiched between Israel and Jordan.
• Significant Palestinian population, desire for statehood.

• French overseas department and region in the western Indian Ocean.
• Located east of Madagascar, southwest of Mauritius.
• Part of the eurozone and outermost region of the European Union.

• Major seaport and transport hub in Ukraine, located on the Black Sea.
• Third most populous city in Ukraine.
• Recently targeted by Russian forces as part of military operations.