SĀṄKṢIPTA | UPSC SUPER SIMPLIFIED

GEOGRAPHICAL SITES IN NEWS - WORLD

Geographical Sites Location Reason of being in News

(Volcanoes)

Fagradalsfjall Volcano Iceland Erupted in 2021 then again in

December 2023.

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Mount Merapi West Sumatra, Indonesia Stratovolcano recently erupted
causing casualties.

ifi
Mount Etna Sicily, Italy Stratovolcano, frequently erupting,
a lot of ash & lava.

pl
Hunga Tonga-Hunga Western South Pacific Ocean Undersea Volcano eruption.
Ha'apai

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Mount Ulawun Papua New Guinea Recent volcanic eruption led to
evacuation of more than 25000
Si
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people, India extended support.

PD
O

Villarrica Volcano Chile Increased volcanic activity in the

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region.
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Kilauea Hawaii Continuous eruption

Klyuchevskoy Volcano Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia Recent eruption, one of the most
active volcanoes situated at the
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height of 4750 meter.

Fuego Volcano Guatemala Recent eruption, flow of pyroclastic

material, high amount of ash
eruption.
C

Popocatepetl Volcano Mexico Recent eruption coated the city

PS

with volcanic ash reducing visibility.

Sakurajima Volcano Japan Recent eruption.

U

Dr. Gaurav J. Sontake | www.upscsupersimplified.com | Contact - 7827779142

 SĀṄKṢIPTA | UPSC SUPER SIMPLIFIED

Geographical Sites Location Reason of being in News

(Lakes/Other Water Bodies)

Lake Retba Dakar, Senegal Slowly disappearing.

Other names: Lac Rose, Pink
lake

Lake Victoria Bordering Countries- Restoration project due to

Tanzania, Uganda & Kenya various environmental

ed
problems.

Lake Garda Italy Shrinking due to drought

conditions.

ifi
Lake Poopo Bolivia Drying up of the lake due to

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climate change.

Aral Sea Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan Diversion of water of Syr Darya

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& Amu Darya for agricultural
purposes.
Si
F
PD

Lake Mead USA Drop in the level of the lake

O

due to drought conditions.

EM

r
Lake Faguibine Mali Becoming a desert due to
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climate change.

Sawa Lake Iraq Disappearance of the lake due

to human activities & climate
Su

change.

Lake Albert Australia Shrinking due to drought

conditions.
C

Lake Razzaza/Lake Milh Iraq Drying up due to drought,

pollution, neglect etc.
PS

Lake Hamun Iran Helmand river

(Afghanistan)flows in it. Water
sharing conflict between Iran
& Afghanistan.
U

Lake Chapala Mexico Shrinking depth due to

sedimentation, erosion,
deforestation in nearby areas.

Dr. Gaurav J. Sontake | www.upscsupersimplified.com | Contact - 7827779142

 SĀṄKṢIPTA | UPSC SUPER SIMPLIFIED

Geographical Sites (Islands) Location Reason of being in News

Tuvalu Polynesian country in West Recent election, closeness with

Central Pacific Ocean Taiwan.

Marion Island Part of South Africa in Indian Largest population of

Ocean Wandering Albatross (bird) in
the world.

ed
Nauru In South Western Pacific Restoration of diplomatic
Ocean relations with China & cutting
off ties with Taiwan.

ifi
Krcedinska Ada Island Serbia. In the Danube river Stranded cattles and horses

pl
were rescued from here
recently.

m
Cape Verde Group if Island located off the WHO certifies it as a Malaria
West coast of Africa
Si free country.
F
PD

Kinmen Island South east coast of China Governed by Taiwan.

O
EM

r
Seychelles West Indian Ocean Declaration of state emergency
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due to blast in explosive

stockpile.
Su

Whitsun Reef South China Sea Conflict between China and

Philippines.

Cocos Island/Keeling island South Indian Ocean, Governed For refueling purposes.
by Australia
C

Lampedusa Island Italy Migrants from North Africa.

PS
U

Dr. Gaurav J. Sontake | www.upscsupersimplified.com | Contact - 7827779142

 SĀṄKṢIPTA | UPSC SUPER SIMPLIFIED

Geographical Sites Location Reason of being in News

Kakhovka Dam On Dnieper river in Ukraine Supply water to Zaporizhzhia

Nuclear power plant.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Ukraine Russia-Ukraine war

Plant

ed
Rafah Border Between Egypt and Gaza

Danakil Depression Afar Region in Ethiopia One the hottest places in the

ifi
world.

pl
Aleppo Syria Due to Israeli airstrikes

m
targeting military installations.

Cuatro Cienegas Wetland Chihuahuan desert in Mexico Due to a severe water crisis
Si
F
PD

threatening its unique

O

ecosystem
EM

r
D

Malawi Southern African Nation Recently declared a State of

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disaster caused by drought

Darien Gap Forested region Northern No paved roads exist in the

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Columbia & Southern Panama. Darien Gap. Yet despite this, it

has become a major route for
global human migration.

Haiti Caribbean Sea Due to a deepening political

C

crisis marked by gang violence

and hunger.
PS

Delft or Neduntheevu, Sri Lankan Islands a planned project to install

Nainativu & Analaitivu Islands hybrid renewable energy
systems.
U

Mindanao Island Island in Southern Philippines Devastating floods earlier in

the year and earthquake
activity

Renk Town South Sudan Ongoing influx of refugees

fleeing the war in Sudan

Dr. Gaurav J. Sontake | www.upscsupersimplified.com | Contact - 7827779142

 SĀṄKṢIPTA | UPSC SUPER SIMPLIFIED

Avdiivka City in Ukraine Fell under Russian control

Kosovo Landlocked country in the Due to ongoing tensions with

Balkan region of Europe. Serbia, particularly in the
Earlier part of Serbia. north where ethnic Serbs
reside.

Lebanon Country in the Levant region Due to a tense ongoing border

ed
of West Asia. Bordering conflict with Israel.
Countries- Syria (N & E), Israel
(S) & Mediterranean Sea (W).

ifi
Tigray region Ethiopia Due to the region's struggle

pl
with war and famine despite a
fragile peace deal.

m
Belgorod, Tuapse Port (Black All 3 in Russia Due to Russia - Ukraine war
sea), Krasnodar Region Si
F
PD
O

Al Jubail Port Saudi Arabia Major projects to boost its

EM

capacity and efficiency,

r
D

solidifying its position as a

pe

global logistics hub.

Torkham Border Between Pakistan & Due to a closure and

Su

Afghanistan subsequent reopening with

relaxed travel requirements
between Pakistan and
Afghanistan
C

Gerlache Strait Antarctica Concerns about climate

PS

change impacting the fragile

polar ecosystem.

La Baells Reservoir Barcelona Spain Due to critically low water

U

levels caused by a historic

drought in Spain.

Oasis city of Al-ula Madina province of Saudi Due to its major tourism push,
Arabia including a global campaign
and partnerships to enhance
the travel experience

Dr. Gaurav J. Sontake | www.upscsupersimplified.com | Contact - 7827779142

 SĀṄKṢIPTA | UPSC SUPER SIMPLIFIED

Amhara region North Ethiopia Due to ongoing conflict and

alleged human rights abuses.

Maghazi Central Gaza Refugee camp

Luang Prabang Ancient City in Laos (a UNESCO WHS, Lies in a valley

landlocked country) at the confluence of Mekong &
Nam Khan River.

ed
Michoacan State Mexico Fire lighting ceremony “Fuego
Nuevo Purepecha” by
Purepecha indigenous people.

ifi
pl
Spratly Island South China Sea Due to escalating tensions
between China and other

m
claimant countries over
territorial rights.
Si
F
PD

Haa Alifu Atoll Maldives Due to India-Maldives Row

O
EM

Perak State Malaysia Due to a tragic helicopter

r
D

collision.
pe
Su
C
PS
U

Dr. Gaurav J. Sontake | www.upscsupersimplified.com | Contact - 7827779142

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