Places in News Current Affairs MCQs
1. Ancient city Tamluk, recently seen in news, is located in which state?
[A] Jharkhand
[B] Bihar
[C] West Bengal
[D] Odisha
[B] Bihar
[C] West Bengal
[D] Odisha
Correct Answer: C [West Bengal]
Notes:
Tamluk, located in West Bengal, was a significant ancient city known as Tamralipta or Tamralipti. It served as the capital of the Suhma kingdom and later the Pala Empire during the 7th to 9th centuries CE. Excavations have revealed remnants of the ancient town Chandraketugarh. Today, Tamluk is renowned for its production and export of paan (betel leaf), shedding light on its historical trade importance in Indian kingdoms.
Tamluk, located in West Bengal, was a significant ancient city known as Tamralipta or Tamralipti. It served as the capital of the Suhma kingdom and later the Pala Empire during the 7th to 9th centuries CE. Excavations have revealed remnants of the ancient town Chandraketugarh. Today, Tamluk is renowned for its production and export of paan (betel leaf), shedding light on its historical trade importance in Indian kingdoms.
2. Saipan Island, recently seen in news, is located in which ocean?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Atlantic Ocean
[C] Southern Ocean
[D] Pacific Ocean
[B] Atlantic Ocean
[C] Southern Ocean
[D] Pacific Ocean
Correct Answer: D [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
Julian Assange is heading to a courtroom in Saipan, capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, to plead guilty to a single charge and return to Australia. Saipan, located in the Western Pacific Ocean, is a US commonwealth with a history of Spanish, German, and Japanese colonization. Tourism, especially from Korea and China, drives its economy. It’s unique for allowing visa-free entry to Chinese citizens.
Julian Assange is heading to a courtroom in Saipan, capital of the Northern Mariana Islands, to plead guilty to a single charge and return to Australia. Saipan, located in the Western Pacific Ocean, is a US commonwealth with a history of Spanish, German, and Japanese colonization. Tourism, especially from Korea and China, drives its economy. It’s unique for allowing visa-free entry to Chinese citizens.
3. Lizard Island, recently seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Australia
[B] Indonesia
[C] Malaysia
[D] Singapore
[B] Indonesia
[C] Malaysia
[D] Singapore
Correct Answer: A [Australia]
Notes:
A severe bleaching event has ravaged 97% of coral at Lizard Island, part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, due to extreme heat stress. Known as Jiigurru or Dyiigurra, Lizard Island is located in Queensland. The island’s traditional owners are the Dingaal people, an Aboriginal Australian clan also known as Dingiil, Walmbarddha, or Walmbaria.
A severe bleaching event has ravaged 97% of coral at Lizard Island, part of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef, due to extreme heat stress. Known as Jiigurru or Dyiigurra, Lizard Island is located in Queensland. The island’s traditional owners are the Dingaal people, an Aboriginal Australian clan also known as Dingiil, Walmbarddha, or Walmbaria.
4. Minamitorishima Island, recently seen in the news, is located in which ocean?
[A] Atlantic Ocean
[B] Indian Ocean
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
[B] Indian Ocean
[C] Pacific Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
Correct Answer: C [Pacific Ocean]
Notes:
Researchers discovered 230 million metric tons of minerals essential for electric car batteries on the seabed off Minami-Torishima Island, also known as Marcus Island. This isolated Japanese atoll in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, southeast of Tokyo, has a triangular shape formed by a raised coral reef. The island has a flat terrain with a maximum altitude of 9 meters and an oceanic climate, with an average annual temperature of 25.6°C.
Researchers discovered 230 million metric tons of minerals essential for electric car batteries on the seabed off Minami-Torishima Island, also known as Marcus Island. This isolated Japanese atoll in the northwestern Pacific Ocean, southeast of Tokyo, has a triangular shape formed by a raised coral reef. The island has a flat terrain with a maximum altitude of 9 meters and an oceanic climate, with an average annual temperature of 25.6°C.
5. Chagos Archipelago, recently seen in the news, is located in which ocean?
[A] Indian Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
[B] Pacific Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
Correct Answer: A [Indian Ocean]
Notes:
India’s external affairs minister affirmed support for Mauritius regarding the Chagos Archipelago, aligning with its decolonization stance. Located in the central Indian Ocean, about 1,000 miles south of India’s tip, this UK overseas territory was established on November 8, 1965. Key islands include Diego Garcia, hosting a strategic US military base. The archipelago experiences a tropical marine climate, moderated by trade winds, with high temperatures and humidity.
India’s external affairs minister affirmed support for Mauritius regarding the Chagos Archipelago, aligning with its decolonization stance. Located in the central Indian Ocean, about 1,000 miles south of India’s tip, this UK overseas territory was established on November 8, 1965. Key islands include Diego Garcia, hosting a strategic US military base. The archipelago experiences a tropical marine climate, moderated by trade winds, with high temperatures and humidity.
6. Adam’s Bridge, recently seen in the news, is separated by which two water bodies?
[A] Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea
[B] Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait
[C] Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
[D] Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea
[B] Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait
[C] Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
[D] Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea
Correct Answer: B [Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait]
Notes:
Scientists from ISRO successfully mapped the submerged structure of Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu), a 48 km limestone chain connecting Rameswaram Island (India) to Mannar Island (Sri Lanka). The bridge separates the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait, with shallow waters of 1-10 meters. Geological evidence indicates it was a former land connection, referenced in the Ramayana and Islamic legend, but submerged since 1480 due to natural calamities.
Scientists from ISRO successfully mapped the submerged structure of Adam’s Bridge (Ram Setu), a 48 km limestone chain connecting Rameswaram Island (India) to Mannar Island (Sri Lanka). The bridge separates the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Strait, with shallow waters of 1-10 meters. Geological evidence indicates it was a former land connection, referenced in the Ramayana and Islamic legend, but submerged since 1480 due to natural calamities.
7. Dar es Salaam city, recently seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Nigeria
[B] Tanzania
[C] Kenya
[D] Rwanda
[B] Tanzania
[C] Kenya
[D] Rwanda
Correct Answer: B [Tanzania]
Notes:
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and a key economic hub in East Africa, faces severe water shortages due to aging infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and inadequate government response. Located along the Indian Ocean, the city’s growing population and outdated water systems exacerbate the crisis, impacting residents’ daily lives and regional economic activities.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania’s largest city and a key economic hub in East Africa, faces severe water shortages due to aging infrastructure, rapid urbanization, and inadequate government response. Located along the Indian Ocean, the city’s growing population and outdated water systems exacerbate the crisis, impacting residents’ daily lives and regional economic activities.
8. Second Thomas Shoal, recently seen in the news, is located in which sea?
[A] Red Sea
[B] South China Sea
[C] Black Sea
[D] Caspian Sea
[B] South China Sea
[C] Black Sea
[D] Caspian Sea
Correct Answer: B [South China Sea]
Notes:
China and the Philippines have agreed to defuse tensions over the contested Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin) in the South China Sea. This submerged reef, part of the Spratly Islands, was claimed by the Philippines in 1999. China asserts sovereignty based on the Nine-dash line, conflicting with the EEZs of several countries. The Philippines won a 2016 ruling against China’s claims, but China rejected the judgment.
China and the Philippines have agreed to defuse tensions over the contested Second Thomas Shoal (Ayungin) in the South China Sea. This submerged reef, part of the Spratly Islands, was claimed by the Philippines in 1999. China asserts sovereignty based on the Nine-dash line, conflicting with the EEZs of several countries. The Philippines won a 2016 ruling against China’s claims, but China rejected the judgment.
9. ‘Nacala Port’, recently seen in the news, is located in which country?
[A] Ghana
[B] Nigeria
[C] Mozambique
[D] Kenya
[B] Nigeria
[C] Mozambique
[D] Kenya
Correct Answer: C [Mozambique]
Notes:
India resumed importing Tur dal from Mozambique’s Nacala Port after a disruption. Mozambique is a Southeast African country with a long Indian Ocean coastline, separated from Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel. It borders Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini. Major rivers include the Zambezi and Limpopo, and its highest peak is Mount Binga. Mozambique is rich in resources like gold, emeralds, copper, iron ore, and bauxite.
India resumed importing Tur dal from Mozambique’s Nacala Port after a disruption. Mozambique is a Southeast African country with a long Indian Ocean coastline, separated from Madagascar by the Mozambique Channel. It borders Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Eswatini. Major rivers include the Zambezi and Limpopo, and its highest peak is Mount Binga. Mozambique is rich in resources like gold, emeralds, copper, iron ore, and bauxite.
10. Diego Garcia Island, recently seen in the news, is located in which ocean?
[A] Pacific Ocean
[B] Indian Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
[B] Indian Ocean
[C] Atlantic Ocean
[D] Arctic Ocean
Correct Answer: B [Indian Ocean]
Notes:
Diego Garcia is a strategically important island in the southern Indian Ocean, despite its small size of 30 square kilometers. The island is owned by Mauritius, controlled by the U.K., and occupied by the U.S. It serves as a key military base for the U.S., with a lease extending to 2036, reflecting its strategic significance in regional security and surveillance. The island’s status is complex, with historical issues dating back to 1965 when Britain created the British Indian Ocean Territory, excluding Mauritius’ claims and forcibly removing the Chagossians, the island’s indigenous people.
Diego Garcia is a strategically important island in the southern Indian Ocean, despite its small size of 30 square kilometers. The island is owned by Mauritius, controlled by the U.K., and occupied by the U.S. It serves as a key military base for the U.S., with a lease extending to 2036, reflecting its strategic significance in regional security and surveillance. The island’s status is complex, with historical issues dating back to 1965 when Britain created the British Indian Ocean Territory, excluding Mauritius’ claims and forcibly removing the Chagossians, the island’s indigenous people.