Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Monitoring lake changes is essential for sustaining ecosystems but is often missing in rejuvenation efforts. Lake Sapanca in northwestern Turkiye faces degradation due to urbanization and industrial expansion. Lake Sapanca is located in Turkey, specifically between the provinces of Sakarya to the east and Kocaeli to the west.

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Nauru, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, plans to sell citizenships to fund the relocation of 10,000 residents threatened by rising sea levels. It is the world’s smallest republic, covering 8 square miles, with a population of 12,500. It is located 1,300 km northeast of the Solomon Islands, its closest neighbor is Banaba in Kiribati. A fossilized coral atoll, it is one of the three great phosphate rock islands in the Pacific.

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A volcano recently erupted at Mount Dukono in Indonesia. Mount Dukono, standing 1,087 meters above sea level, is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes. It is located on Halmahera Island.

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The Simandou mine in Guinea will significantly impact the global iron ore market, supplying 10% of China’s annual demand and competing with Australia and Brazil. It is located in the Simandou mountain range, Guinea. It is controlled by a 75% Chinese consortium. The mine boasts high-quality ore with 65% Fe content, one of the best globally. It has 2.4 billion tonnes of reserves, with a potential yield of 2.25 billion tonnes. The mining deposits, Pic de Fon and Ouéléba, cover 7.5 km in length and 1 km in width.

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The Israel-Hamas conflict has escalated, leading to a fragile ceasefire brokered by the US, Egypt, and Qatar. A key issue is Israel’s withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, a strategic area along Gaza’s border with Egypt. The corridor is a 14 km long, 100-meter-wide strip, including the Rafah crossing and Kerem Shalom crossing. It was designated a demilitarized zone under the 1979 Camp David treaty. After Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Egypt and the Palestinian Authority took control, but Hamas seized it in 2007.

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New Zealand’s High Court overturned the conviction of White Island’s owners after the 2019 volcanic eruption that killed 22 people. White Island (Whakaari) is an active composite stratovolcano in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty, located 48 km off Whakatāne. It is New Zealand’s most active cone volcano, formed over 150,000 years. The 2019 eruption was its last major event, causing fatalities and injuries. The island, privately owned, was declared a private scenic reserve in 1953, attracting tourism and scientific research. It features hot springs, geysers, and fumaroles and was named by Captain James Cook in 1769.

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Russian troops launched a large-scale offensive to retake parts of the western Kursk region from Ukrainian forces. Kursk is a city and the administrative center of Kursk Oblast, located along Russia’s southwestern border. It lies about 450 km (280 miles) south of Moscow, along the upper Seym River. The region is part of the Black Earth territory, known for its highly fertile soil. Kursk has a moderately continental climate, experiencing distinct seasonal variations.

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Japan will introduce a US$27 climbing fee on Mount Fuji’s four main trails this summer to reduce overcrowding and improve safety. Mount Fuji (Fuji-san) is Japan’s tallest mountain at 3,776 meters, located in Yamanashi and Shizuoka prefectures. It lies 100 km southwest of Tokyo and is part of the Fuji Volcanic Zone, a chain extending from the Mariana Islands to northern Honshu. It is a stratovolcano, dormant since 1707 but still classified as active. It is one of Japan’s “Three Holy Mountains” and a UNESCO World Heritage site (2013).

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Amid tensions with the United States, Iran installed missile systems on the disputed islands of Greater Tunb, Lesser Tunb, and Abu Musa near the Strait of Hormuz. The Strait of Hormuz is a narrow waterway between Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, specifically the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Musandam (Oman). It connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Iran is on the north coast, while the UAE is on the south coast. The strait is 167 kilometers long, with a width ranging from 39 to 95 kilometers. It allows the passage of large vessels despite narrowing towards the north. Key islands in the strait include Hengam, Hormuz, and Qishm. The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global trade route, with 30% of the world’s liquefied gas and 25% of oil passing through it.

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A strong 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck off New Zealand’s South Island recently. South Island is the larger and southernmost of New Zealand’s two main islands, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It is separated from North Island by Cook Strait and from Stewart Island by Foveaux Strait. The island is mostly mountainous, dominated by the Southern Alps, with Mount Cook (3,754m) as its highest peak.