Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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The regional assembly of Portugal’s Azores Islands approved the largest protected marine area in the North Atlantic. This decision aims to meet international conservation goals ahead of schedule. The Azores Archipelago consists of nine volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic. The islands are part of the Autonomous Region of the Azores and were formed from the Azores Plateau. They sit above the Azores Triple Junction, where the Eurasian, North American, and African tectonic plates meet. The Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs between the African-Eurasian and North American Plates, crossing the Azores Plateau.

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Saudi Arabia’s Al-Jawf region experienced snowfall for the first time in recorded history. Al-Jawf, one of Saudi Arabia’s most fertile areas, has a human history dating back to the Stone Age. Known for olive cultivation, it hosts the world’s largest modern olive farm, as recognized by Guinness World Records. Al-Jawf is also one of the coldest regions in Saudi Arabia during winter.

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French President praised over 1,000 craftspeople who rebuilt Notre-Dame Cathedral after a devastating fire in 2019. Notre-Dame is a famous Gothic cathedral in located in Paris, France. It is known for its size, age, and architectural features. Its construction began in 1163 and continued throughout the Gothic period, completed by 1250. It was the site of significant events, including Napoleon’s coronation and royal weddings. A fire on April 15, 2019, severely damaged the roof and spire. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, showcasing naturalistic sculptures and stained-glass windows.

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The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has requested a response from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) regarding the deteriorating condition of Varkala cliff, a national geo-heritage site. It is located in Varkala, Kerala. The cliff stretches 3 km and exposes sedimentary rocks from the Mio-Pliocene Age (13 lakh to 2.5 crore years ago). Varkala is the only place on India’s west coast where these ancient sediments are visible. The cliff towers up to 80 meters and is home to the Papanasam Beach, known for its therapeutic springs. It supports local biodiversity and is essential for coastal aquifers and fishing communities.

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The Mount Kanlaon volcano in the Philippines erupted, leading to evacuations from nearby villages. It is the highest mountain on Negros Island and ranks 42nd among the tallest peaks on islands globally. Kanlaon is an active stratovolcano, part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. The summit, at 2,435 meters, features a broad caldera with a crater lake and a smaller, more active crater to the south. The volcano’s base spans 30 km by 14 km and is composed of volcanic materials like lava flows, lahar deposits, and pyroclastic materials.

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Thousands of political prisoners were released from Syria’s Saydnaya Prison, infamous for inhumane conditions. Saydnaya Prison, near Damascus, was established in the 1980s and operated by the Syrian military police since 1987. The prison was notorious for being a “human slaughterhouse” with severe human rights violations. Syria, located in the Middle East, shares borders with Turkey, Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, and the Mediterranean Sea. Its strategic location connects the Levant region to the broader Arab world.

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Mt Semeru, an active volcano in East Java, Indonesia, recently erupted. It is located in a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australia plate moves under the Eurasia plate. Semeru is the highest mountain on the island of Java. The name “Semeru” comes from the Hindu concept of Meru, the central world mountain, or Sumeru, the abode of gods. Indonesia lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area known for high volcanic and seismic activity due to the meeting of continental plates.

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US President-elect Donald Trump has expressed interest in buying Greenland, the world’s largest non-continent island. It is located between North America and Europe in the North Atlantic Ocean. Greenland is geographically part of North America. It is surrounded by the Arctic Ocean, Greenland Sea, North Atlantic Ocean, Davis Strait, and Baffin Bay. Once a Danish colony, Greenland is now an autonomous province of Denmark. Greenland’s highest point is Gunnbjorn’s Fjeld, and its capital is Nuuk.

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India sent 1,000 metric tonnes of rice to Lesotho to address food security and nutrition challenges. Lesotho is a landlocked country entirely within South Africa, with its capital and largest city being Maseru. Known as “The Mountain Kingdom,” it is located in the Maloti Mountains and includes Thabana Ntlenyana, Southern Africa’s highest peak. The Orange River, one of Africa’s longest rivers, originates in the Lesotho Highlands.

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Divers near Kalpeni Island in Lakshadweep discovered possible wreckage of a 17th or 18th-century European warship. Kalpeni Island is part of the Lakshadweep archipelago in the Arabian Sea, covering 2.79 square kilometers. It is 287 kilometers from Kochi, Kerala, and lies southeast of Kavaratti Island. Kalpeni forms a single atoll with islets Tilakkam, Pitti, and Cheriyam. The island is known for coral reefs, clear waters, white beaches, and a 2.8-kilometer-wide lagoon, it is ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving. The island’s culture reflects its Maliku community heritage, with a climate similar to Kerala.