Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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Crete is the largest island of Greece and the fifth-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is located in the southern Aegean Sea, which is part of the Mediterranean Sea. The island is surrounded by the Sea of Crete to the north and the Libyan Sea to the south. Crete has a rugged mountainous landscape, with mountains extending broadly from west to east. Mount Ida (Psiloritis) is the highest point of the island. Its economy is largely based on tourism, agriculture and shipping. The island recently came into the news after more than 300 migrants were reportedly rescued off the coast of Crete.

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US President Donald Trump has ordered US authorities to refer to Lake Ontario as “Lake America” in official US geographic naming. The change applies to US government usage only; the US cannot compel Canada to adopt the new name. Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes and is shared by the United States and Canada. The international border runs through Lake Ontario, with New York to the south and Ontario, Canada to the north. The name Ontario has Indigenous origins and is associated with the Huron word oniatarí, referring to a “lake of shining waters.”

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Recently, the Lahaul-Spiti district administration announced the installation of an Early Warning System (EWS) at Ghepan Glacial Lake in September 2026 to strengthen monitoring and reduce the risk of glacial lake-related disasters. Ghepan Glacial Lake is located in Lahaul-Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, at an altitude of around 4,070 metres. The initiative is important for disaster risk reduction in the Himalayan region, particularly in view of the threat of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

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The Tamil Nadu Government has directed the Water Resources Department (WRD) to redesign the proposed project to divert surplus Cauvery water from Mayanur Barrage to Ponnaniyar and Kannuthu dams as a solar-powered water-lifting irrigation project. It is located near Pooncholai village in the Kadavur hill region of Manapparai taluk, Tiruchirappalli district, Tamil Nadu. The dam has very low storage because its source channels receive little inflow.

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China is carrying out large-scale vegetation planting around the Taklamakan Desert to control desertification, sandstorms and wind erosion. The initiative is linked mainly to China’s Three-North Shelterbelt Program, launched in 1978. The programme has increased vegetation particularly along the edges of the desert. It is located in western China. It lies mainly within the Tarim Basin, between the Kunlun Mountains to the south and the Tian Shan Mountains to the north. It is one of the largest sandy deserts in the world. It is a cold desert, with very hot summers and extremely cold winters. The desert is famous for its vast sand dunes and extremely low precipitation.

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Sohar Port has emerged as an important gateway for Indian shippers seeking access to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries amid the West Asia crisis. It is located in northern Oman near the Strait of Hormuz. The port is in discussions with Indian logistics operators and terminal operators for setting up facilities. Both captive berths and multipurpose terminals are being explored with Indian companies.

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Nevados de Chillán volcano in Chile recently experienced an eruptive pulse, releasing ash and volcanic material. The volcanic material rose about 380 metres above the crater. Nevados de Chillán is an active volcanic complex located in the Andes Mountains of central Chile. It is part of the Nevados de Chillán volcanic complex, which includes several volcanic cones and vents. The complex is known for frequent eruptive activity, including ash emissions, lava flows and explosive events. Volcanic ash and gases can pose risks to nearby communities, aviation and agriculture, making continuous monitoring important. The volcano is monitored by Chile’s National Geology and Mining Service (SERNAGEOMIN).

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Scientists have identified a new penguin species for the first time in more than 100 years. The new species is called Pygoscelis kerguelensis, commonly known as the southeastern gentoo penguin. It is found on the remote Kerguelen Islands in the Southern Indian Ocean, north of Antarctica. The archipelago consists of Grande Terre, the main island, along with more than 300 smaller islands and islets.

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Two new island-like formations have appeared off Anak Krakatau volcano in Indonesia following a 25-hour continuous eruption that began on 4 September 2026. The formations are located on opposite sides of Anak Krakatau—about 760 m northwest and 495 m southeast of the volcano. Anak Krakatau means “Child of Krakatoa” and is an active volcano in Indonesia. It is located in the Sunda Strait, between the islands of Java and Sumatra. It developed inside the caldera left by the massive 1883 eruption of Krakatoa.

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A UN report has called for further steps by the United States to address the long-term consequences of its nuclear testing legacy in the Marshall Islands. The recommendations include providing better healthcare to affected communities and releasing classified historical records related to the nuclear testing programme. Marshall Islands is located in Central Pacific Ocean, roughly between Hawaii and Australia. It is a Micronesian island country consisting mainly of atolls and small islands. The country has 29 atolls and 5 individual islands, containing more than 1,000 individual islets. The two major population centres are Majuro Atoll and Kwajalein Atoll.