Places in News Current Affairs MCQs

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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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During his visit to Iran, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed establishing a long-term cooperation framework for Chabahar port with Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Mehrdad Bazrpash. Chabahar, Iran’s first deepwater port at the Gulf of Oman, is crucial for global trade. It’s part of the proposed International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), with two ports: Shahid Beheshti and Shahid Kalantari. India’s investment is focused on Shahid Beheshti port.

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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Mumbai Circle celebrated World Heritage Day at Panhala Fort in Maharashtra. Traditionally linked with sage Parashar, it strategically lies along trade routes. Built by Shilahara ruler Bhoja in the 11th century, it passed through various dynasties including Yadavas, Bahamani, Adilshahi, Marathas, and Mughals. Features include three double-walled gates; Chaar Darwaja, now ruins, and Teen Darwaja, the main entrance, with a Persian inscription dating back to 1547-8 CE.

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The first case of bird flu killing a walrus was found on Hopen Island, part of Svalbard, Norway. Hopen Island is located in the Arctic Ocean, in the Svalbard Archipelago, which is part of Norway. The island is situated in the southern part of the archipelago, between the Barents Sea and the Greenland Sea. Hopen Island is one of the smaller islands in the Svalbard group, covering an area of about 47 square kilometers. The island’s landscape is mainly made up of low-lying tundra, rocky outcrops, and coastal cliffs.

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French President hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping at Pyrenees’ Tourmalet Pass for private talks. The Pyrenees form a natural border between Spain and France, extending 500 km from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. Created by the collision of Iberia with Eurasia, it’s politically divided between Spain and France, with Andorra in between. Aneto Peak, at 3,404 m, is its highest point. The mountains also merge with the Cantabrian range in Spain.

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The Cook Islands, self-governing since 1965, aims to mine minerals from its seabed for electric car batteries. The Cook Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean, about 2,900 km northeast of New Zealand and 4,500 km south of Hawaii. Its 15 islands, once a New Zealand colony, host a vast territorial water area, comparable to Mexico’s size. Researchers found nodules rich in cobalt and manganese on the seabed, growing as thick as a credit card every million years. Technological barriers to extraction have recently eased, sparking international interest in the Cook Islands’ mineral potential.

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Pirates’ recent assault in the Gulf of Aden sparks alarm. The gulf acts as a crucial maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. Named after Yemen’s Port of Aden, it borders Somalia to the south and Yemen to the north, with the Arabian Sea to the east and Djibouti to the west. The prominent Sheba Ridge characterizes its terrain, extending from the Indian Ocean ridge system.

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In the Strait of Gibraltar, orcas sank a sailing yacht, with the incident occurring in Moroccan waters. The strait connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, separating Europe and Africa. Its narrowest point lies between Morocco and Spain. Geological studies attribute its formation to the movement of tectonic plates. Water flow dynamics involve the Mediterranean Sea’s highly saline waters flowing outward beneath the Atlantic Ocean’s currents, while less saline waters flow inward atop the Mediterranean current.

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The Philippines challenges China over Scarborough Shoal’s environmental damage, urging international scrutiny. Situated in the South China Sea, the shoal is a vital fishing area rich in marine life, claimed by both China and the Philippines. Despite no physical structures, China controls it with a continuous coast guard presence since 2012, citing historical ownership dating back to the Yuan Dynasty. The dispute remains unresolved.

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Mount Ibu, an active stratovolcano on Halmahera Island, Indonesia, recently erupted, ejecting ash 4 km high with purple lightning around its crater. Indonesia, part of the Pacific “Ring of Fire” with 127 active volcanoes, often experiences such events. Stratovolcanoes, like Ibu, are characterized by conical shapes formed by layers of volcanic material. They rise sharply near the summit and are common in subduction zones, such as the Andes Mountains.