Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune officially inaugurated the Grand Mosque of Algiers, also known as Djamaa El-Djazair. The Grand Mosque of Algiers is the world’s third-largest mosque and features the world’s tallest minaret at 869 feet (265 meters).

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The Bihar Governor visited Thailand’s Ancient City of Ayutthaya, named after Lord Ram’s birth city in Ayodhya, India. Founded in 1350, it served as the Siamese Kingdom’s second capital. Flourishing from the 14th to the 18th centuries, it was a global diplomatic and commercial hub on an island strategically located above tidal bores, protecting it from sea attacks. Burmese forces razed it in 1767, leaving an extensive archaeological site with advanced water management and monumental structures.

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The Galapagos Islands, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Pacific Ocean, face a critical challenge with rising visitor numbers jeopardizing its delicate ecosystem. Comprising 19 islands and numerous islets, this volcanic archipelago hosts rich biodiversity. However, rapid human impact threatens its unique wildlife. Despite its designation as a World Heritage Site in 1978, conservation efforts must intensify to preserve its young, rugged landscape and diverse marine life.

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As of March 2024, water is disappearing from Cuatro Cienegas, Mexico’s vital desert oasis, due to agricultural activities. The oasis is the Chihuahuan Desert’s most important wetland, and scientists say it can help them understand climate change, the origin of the Earth, and the chances of life on Mars. However, water is being used for alfalfa crops and other agricultural activities, causing the oasis to dry up. As a result, communities have to bring in water by truck when there is gasoline, which is a costly expense.

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India recently applied to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) for rights to explore the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount (AN Seamount) in the Indian Ocean. AN Seamount is a 400 km-long and 150 km-wide feature rich in cobalt, nickel, manganese, and copper. It lies 3,000 km from India’s coast, rising 1200 m above the ocean floor. Seamounts, formed through volcanic activity near mid-ocean ridges, are hotspots for marine life, with potential for active resource extraction.

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The Port of Baltimore, a vital seaport on the Patapsco River in Maryland, serves as a commercial hub connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. Despite its closure due to a bridge collapse on March 26, efforts are underway to remove containers from the stranded ship Dali, a 984-foot vessel. Once completed, it will take weeks to tow the ship and reopen the port, which ranks ninth in the U.S. by trade volume.

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Japan and the USA recently issued a joint statement opposing China’s unilateral attempts to change the status quo of the Senkaku Islands. The Senkaku Islands are located in the East China Sea. These islands, also known as Diaoyu in Chinese, are a point of contention between Japan and China. Situated approximately 410 km west of Okinawa Island, the largest island among them is Uotsuri Island.

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Qudsia Bagh, built in 1748 by Qudsia Begum, wife of Mughal Emperor Md Shah Rangeela, underwent recent restoration by Delhi Development Authority. It is located in North Delhi and it follows Persian char-bagh style. The Bagh’s remains include its grand western gateway, Qudsia Mosque, and pavilions in red sandstone. The mosque, a simple structure with three-storied walls, is ASI protected. It played roles in 1857 First War of Independence and Bhagat Singh’s activities.

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Archaeologists in Pompeii unearthed a black-walled banqueting hall adorned with vibrant frescoes depicting Greek mythology. Pompeii, a preserved ancient Roman city near Naples, Italy, lies at the base of Mount Vesuvius. Established in the Bronze Age, it thrived under Roman rule, boasting a population of 10-12,000. Buried by Vesuvius in 79 CE, Pompeii remained hidden until rediscovery in 1748. Its remarkably preserved state offers profound insights into Roman life, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status.

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Mount Ruang, a stratovolcano in Indonesia’s North Sulawesi province, recently erupted, sending an ash cloud over a mile high. Standing at 10,932 feet, it boasts a two-mile-wide caldera. Stratovolcanoes, like Ruang, are tall, steep, and cone-shaped, often found near subduction zones. They account for about 60% of Earth’s volcanoes, characterized by explosive eruptions due to cooler, more viscous lavas. Ruang’s summit typically features a small crater, sometimes filled with water or ice.