AIM

ADVANCED INTEGRATED MENTORSIP PROGRAM

PLACES in NEWS
VOLUME – III
(Dec.2023 – Feb. 2024)
(Value Addition for Prelims 2024)

aim@nextias.com | 9910019703

www.nextias.com
GUYANA-VENEZUELA CONFLICT
● Why in News: Guyana and Venezuela are in conflict over the resource-rich Essequibo region.

About Esequiba
● Guayana Esequiba is a disputed territory west of the Essequibo River, claimed by both Guyana and Venezuela.
● Guyana’s claim has been internationally accepted since the 1899 Paris Arbitral Award.
● The Essequibo region is rich with offshore oil areas offering a high potential for exploitation.
● It is also home to the Essequibo River, the largest
river in Guyana that lies between the Orinoco
and Amazon rivers of South America.

About Venezuela
● It is a country on the northern coast of South
America.
● To the northwest are the Andes Mountains and
the colonial town of Mérida, a base for visiting
Sierra Nevada National Park. Caracas, the capital,
is to the north.
● Petroleum represents more than 85% of
Venezuela’s exports.

About Guyana
● It is officially known as the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.
● Guyana is bordered by The Atlantic Ocean in the North, Brazil in the South and Southwest, and Venezuela in the
West.

PERU
● Why in News: Peru loses over half of the Glacial coverage in six
decades.

About Peru
● It is a country in western South America.
● It is bordered in the north by Ecuador and Colombia, in the east by
Brazil, in the southeast by Bolivia, in the south by Chile, and in the
south and west by the Pacific Ocean.
● Peru is a megadiverse country with habitats ranging from the peaks of
the Andes mountains.
● Peru contains 4% of the planet's freshwater. The largest lake in Peru,
Lake Titicaca between Peru and Bolivia high in the Andes, is also the
largest in South America.
● Peru has experienced a devastating loss of more than half of its glacier
surface in the last six decades, with 175 glaciers becoming extinct
between 2016 and 2020 due to the impacts of climate change.

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SEYCHELLES
● Why in News: Seychelles recently declared
a state of emergency in response to a blast
at an explosives stockpile triggered due to
flooding.

About Seychelles
● It is an island country consisting of 115
islands in the Indian Ocean at the eastern
edge of the Somali Sea.It is located in the
western Indian Ocean.
● Victoria is the capital and also the largest
city.
● It’s home to numerous beaches, coral reefs,
and nature reserves, as well as rare animals
such as giant Aldabra tortoises.
● It has the second-highest Human
Development Index of any African country
after Mauritius.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

● Why in News: A major volcanic eruption of Mount Ulawun in
Papua New Guinea resulted in widespread damage and
destruction in the island nation. India recently sent relief
material for the people affected by a volcanic eruption in Papua
New Guinea.

About Papua Guinea

● It is an island country that lies in the south-western Pacific.
● It includes the eastern half of New Guinea (the world’s second-
largest island) and many small offshore islands.
● The neighbouring countries are Indonesia to the west, Australia
to the south, and the Solomon Islands to the southeast.
● The capital of Papua Guinea is Port Moresby.

Geographical Condition
● It is mainly mountainous but has low-lying plains in southern
New Guinea.
● It has several volcanoes primarily due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
● This region is characterised by intense tectonic activity, including the subduction of several tectonic plates beneath
the Pacific Plate.

MYANMAR - THE WORLD’S LARGEST PRODUCER OF OPIUM

● Why in News: Recently, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released a report titled-
Southeast Asia Opium Survey 2023. There is a significant increase in Opium Cultivation in the Golden Triangle,
Southeast Asia.

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About Golden Triangle
● The Golden Triangle typically refers to a region in Southeast Asia known for the production of illicit drugs, particularly
Opium. It's an area where the borders of three countries, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand.
● The term "Golden Triangle" referred to the opium-producing region covering parts of these three countries. However,
it has evolved to denote a broader area associated with drug production, trafficking, and organised crime.
● There's been an 18% increase in Opium cultivation in Myanmar.
● This surge has made Myanmar the world's largest source of opium, particularly due to disruptions following the
Military Takeover in 2021.

About Myanmar
● It is bordered by Bangladesh and India to its northwest, China to its northeast, Laos, and Thailand to its east and
southeast, and the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal to its south and southwest.
● The country's capital city is Naypyidaw.
● Myanmar is one of India’s strategic neighbours and shares a border with the northeastern states of Nagaland and
Manipur.

ANGOLA
● Why in News: Angola, one of Africa’s two biggest oil producers, has announced it is leaving the oil producers’
organization Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) over a dispute on output quotas.
● About Angola
● It is a country on the west-central coast of Southern Africa. Bordered by Namibia to the south, the Democratic
Republic of the Congo to the north, Zambia to the east, and the Atlantic Ocean to the west.
● The capital and largest city of Angola is Luanda.

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OPEC
● It was established in 1960 at the Baghdad
Conference by Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia,
and Venezuela, is an intergovernmental
organization with key members including Algeria,
Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Libya, Nigeria, the
Republic of the Congo, and the United Arab
Emirates.
● It aims to manage the supply of oil in an effort to
set the price of oil in the world market, in order
to avoid fluctuations that might affect the
economies of both producing and purchasing
countries.
● It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria.
● OPEC membership is open to any country that is a
substantial exporter of oil and which shares the
ideals of the organization.

KAIROUAN CITY
● Why in News: Ancient Walls Collapse in Tunisia’s
Kairouan.

About Kairouan
● The three masons lost their lives while undertaking
repairs on the ancient walls encircling the Old City
of Kairouan in Tunisia—a UNESCO World Heritage
site.
● It is a town located in north-central Tunisia.
● Its rich architectural heritage includes the Great
Mosque, with its marble and porphyry columns,
and the 9th-century Mosque of the Three Gates.
● Kairouan is the most ancient Arabo-Muslim base of
the Maghreb (670 AD) and one of its principal holy
cities.

OPERATION PROSPERITY GUARDIAN

● Why in News: The US has introduced Operation Prosperity Guardian, an enhanced naval protection force in the
southern Red Sea to counter Houthi attacks on merchant shipping.
● The U.K., Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Seychelles, and Spain are participating in Operation
Prosperity Guardian.
● The operation aims to ensure both the freedom of navigation and the safety of maritime traffic in the Red Sea, Bab el-
Mandeb, and Gulf of Aden.

Houthi Rebels
● The Houthi tribe is a Hamdanid Arab tribe that lives in northern Yemen.
● The Houthis are a Shia militant group engaged in the civil war in Yemen, controlling significant parts of the country.
● Houthi forces have targeted ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, disrupting one of the world’s busiest maritime
trade routes.
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Red Sea
● It is connected to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean to the south through the Gulf of Aden and the narrow strait
of Bab El-Mandeb.
● Yemen and Saudi Arabia border the Red Sea to the east.
● It is bordered by Egypt to the north and west and by Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti to the west.

ARCTIC REGION
● Why in News: Himadri, India’s Arctic Research Station at Ny-Ålesund in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard in the
Arctic Ocean, will now remain operational throughout the year.

About Arctic Region

● The Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth.
● The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska (United States), Canada, Finland, Greenland
(Denmark), Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.

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Geographical Conditions
● The Yenisei River is the largest river system that flows to the Arctic Ocean. It is also the fifth-longest river in the world.
It flows through two countries i.e. Mongolia and Russia.
● Lake Hazen, located on northern Ellesmere Island which is the largest lake north of the Arctic Circle.
● The world's northernmost active volcano, Beerenberg, is also within the Arctic Circle.

Arctic Agreements
● Svalbard Treaty- India’s engagement with the Arctic can be traced to the signing of the Svalbard Treaty in 1920.
● Himadri research station- India's first permanent Arctic research station located at Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway.
● Arctic Policy of 2022- It mentions that the country’s approach to economic development of the region is guided by UN
Sustainable Development Goals.
● India’s Arctic policy would play an essential role in preparing the country for a future where humankind's biggest
challenges, like climate change, can be addressed through collective will and effort.

ANTARCTIC REGION
● Why in News: the 60th anniversary (In 2021) of the
Antarctic Treaty was celebrated.
● Antarctica is the fifth-largest continent in terms of
total area as it is larger than both Oceania and
Europe.
● The Antarctic Ice Sheet is the world's largest single
chunk of ice.
● Mount Erebus, located on Antarctica’s Ross Island,
is the southernmost active volcano on Earth.
● The islands of the Antarctic region are The South
Orkney Islands, South Shetland Islands, South
Georgia, and the South Sandwich Islands, all
claimed by the United Kingdom; Peter I Island and
Bouvet Island, claimed by Norway; Heard and
McDonald Islands, claimed by Australia; Scott Island
and the Balleny Islands, claimed by New Zealand.

Geographical Conditions
● Lake Vostok is the largest lake in Antarctica.
● The Onyx River is an Antarctic meltwater stream that flows westward and it is the longest river in Antarctica.
● The continent is a high plateau that is frozen throughout the year.
● There is no coastal plain.
● It is separated from the rest of the world by the icy waters of the Southern Ocean which comprises the southern
portions of the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans.

Antarctica Treaty
● The Antarctic Treaty 1959 (came into force by 1961) was signed between 12 countries for making the Antarctic
Continent a demilitarized zone to be preserved for scientific research only.
● The twelve original signatories are Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, South
Africa, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, the UK and the US.
● Recently, an enormous iceberg 'A-76' has calved from the western side of the Ronne Ice Shelf, lying in the Weddell
Sea, in Antarctica.
● Currently, it has 54 parties. India became a member of this treaty in 1983.
● India has three research stations in Antarctica: Bharati, Dakshin Gangotri, and Maitri.
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CABO VERDE
● Why in News: Recently, the World Health Organization
(WHO) has declared Cabo Verde as a Malaria-free
country.

About Cabo Verde

● It is also known as Cape Verde which comprises a group
of islands that lie off the west coast of Africa.
● It is located near Senegal and is the closest point to the
African continent.
● The Capital of Cabo Verde is Praia.
● These are divided into two main groups: the windward
islands (Barlavento) and the leeward islands (Sotavento).

NICARAGUA
● Why in News: A recent incident involving a Nicaragua-
bound flight detained in France fuelled suspicions of
human trafficking.

About Nicaragua
● It is a country in Central America and the largest of the
Central American republics.
● The country is bordered by Honduras to the north and
Costa Rica to the south.
● The Pacific Ocean provides the border to the west, and
the eastern border of the country is in the Caribbean
Sea.
● The capital of Nicaragua is Managua.

Geographical Conditions of South America

● South America is a long triangular-shaped continent.
● The Equator passes through the northern part of the
continent and the Tropic of Capricorn runs roughly
through the middle.
● South America is the fourth largest continent after
Asia, Africa, and North America.
● The Galapagos Islands near the Equator and the Juan
Fernandez Islands near Central Chile are in the Pacific
Ocean.
● The Andes is the longest mountain range in the world.
South America’s three southern countries – Argentina,
Chile, and Uruguay – constitute a region sometimes
referred to as the Southern Cone because of its
pointed, ice-cream-cone-like shape.
● The Tierra del Fuego is in the Southern Ocean and the
Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic Ocean.
● The island of Trinidad is near Venezuela in the North
Atlantic Ocean.

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TIMOR-LESTE
● Why in News: The PM conducted a bilateral meeting
with Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta at
Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.

About Timor Leste

● It is an island country in the eastern Lesser Sunda
Islands, at the southern extreme of the Malay
Archipelago.
● Dili is the capital and largest city.
● It is bounded by the Timor Sea to the southeast, the
Wetar Strait to the north, the Ombai Strait to the
northwest, and western Timor (part of the Indonesian
province of East Nusa Tenggara) to the southwest.

MOUNT MERAPI (INDONESIA)

● Why in News: Mount Merapi in Indonesia has erupted yet again this year, spewing an ash tower 3,000 metres into
the sky.

Mount Merapi
● Mount Merapi, is an active volcano in Indonesia.
● Merapi is located near the centre of the island of Java
and Indonesia’s cultural capital, Yogyakarta.
● Some of the other major volcanoes in Indonesia
include:
● Mount Krakatoa
● Mount Rinjani
● Mount Tambora
● Mount Batur
● Mount Merbabu

About Indonesia
● It is the World’s largest Island Country.
● It is the 4th most populous country globally.
● It shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and the eastern part of Malaysia, as well as maritime
borders with Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia, Palau, and India.
● Puncak Jaya is Indonesia's highest peak, and Lake Toba in Sumatra is the largest lake.

CUBA
● Why in News: Memorandum of Understanding signed between India and Cuba on Cooperation in the field of sharing
successful Digital Solution.

About Cuba
● Cuba is a country in the Caribbean Region.
● The capital of Cuba is Havana.
● Cuba is located where the Northern Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
● The Highest point is Pico Turquino.
● The country’s longest river is the Cauto.

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● Cuba is known as the 'sugar bowl of the world', as it used to have the largest sugar industry which is now in decay,
and its position is now taken up by Brazil followed by India.

AIGAI
● Why in News: The Palace of Aigai, an ancient Greek site dating back to the 4th century BC that served as the spiritual
centre of Macedonian rulers, is reopened after 16-year.

About Aigai
● The city of Aigai was the ancient first capital of the Kingdom of Macedonia.
● It was discovered in the 19th century near Vergina, in northern Greece.
● The most important remains are the monumental palace, lavishly decorated with mosaics and painted stuccoes, and
the burial ground.
● The palace and the nearby tombs are listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

GREECE
● Why in News: Greece first Orthodox Christian country to legalise same-sex marriage.
● It has now become the first country in southeastern Europe to have passed legislation legalising same-sex marriage.

Geographical Conditions of Greece

● Greece is a country in southern Europe with a long coastline on the Mediterranean Sea. It is bordered by Albania,
North Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Turkey.
● The Major mountain ranges are the Pindus and the Taurus mountains.
● The longest river in Greece is the river Haliacmon.
● Greece's highest mountain is Mount Olympus.

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BELGOROD REGION
● Why in News: Some 300 residents of the western Russian city of Belgorod
have been evacuated following a recent wave of Ukrainian strikes.

About Belgorod Region

● It is situated in the centre of the European part of Russia, on the southern
and southeastern slopes of the Central Russian Upland.
● It is one of Russia’s successfully developing industrial and agricultural
regions.
● It borders on the Kursk and Voronezh regions, the Lugansk People’s Republic.
● It also shares a state border with Ukraine.
● The region is crisscrossed with rivers.
● The largest rivers are the Psyol, Seversky Donets, Vorskla, Oskol, Tikhaya
Sosna, and Valui.
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Ukraine
● Ukraine is a country located in Eastern Europe. The capital is Kyiv (Kiev).
● It is bordered by Belarus to the north, Russia to the east, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea to the south, Moldova and
Romania to the southwest, and Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to the west.
● In the far southeast, Ukraine is separated from Russia by the Kerch Strait, which connects the Sea of Azov to the Black
Sea.

ATLANTIC OCEAN
● Why in News: Scientists have mapped the largest
known deep-sea coral reef, located off the Atlantic
coast of the United States.
● The reef stretches from Florida to South Carolina.

Atlantic Ocean
● The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the
world's five oceans.
● It is located between North and South America in
the west and Europe and Africa in the east.
● It was formed due to the drifting of North and South
Americas to the west due to plate tectonics.

Major Sea:

● Name of the Sea ● Bordering Countries

● Argentine Sea ● Argentina, Uruguay, Antarctica

● Baltic Sea ● Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia,

Estonia, Russia, Finland

● Black Sea ● Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey

● Greenland Sea ● Greenland, Iceland, Svalbard (Norway)

● Caribbean Sea ● Cuba, Jamaica, Dominican Rep, Puerto Rico, Costa Rica,
Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras Belize, Venezuela, Columbia,
Panama

● Hudson Bay ● Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, and Nunavut provinces of Canada

● Irminger Sea ● Iceland, Greenland, Canada

● James Bay ● Quebec and Ontario provinces of Canada

● Labrador Sea ● Labrador peninsula of Canada, Greenland

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GREAT LAKE OF AFRICA
● The Great Lake of Africans are,

● Lake Victoria

● Lake Tanganyika

● Lake Malawi

● Lake Turkana

● Lake Albert

● Lake Kivu

● Lake Edward.

RIO DE JANEIRO
● Why in News: Rio de Janeiro on Monday declared a public health emergency because of an outbreak of mosquito-
borne dengue fever.

About Rio De Janeiro

● Rio de Janeiro is positioned near the Tropic of Capricorn, situated on the far western stretch of Brazil's Atlantic coast.
● Serving as the capital of the Rio de Janeiro state in the southeastern region of Brazil.
● Rio de Janeiro, city and port, capital of the estado (state) of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
● It is located on the Atlantic Ocean, in the southeastern part of the tropical zone of South America, and is widely
recognized as one of the world’s most beautiful and interesting urban centres.
● Rio de Janeiro experiences a tropical savanna climate.

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About Brazil
● Brazil is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. Its capital is Brasília.
● It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and borders all other countries in South America except Ecuador and
Chile.
● Brazil is a founding member of the United Nations, the G20, BRICS, the Union of South American Nations, Mercosul,
etc.

Geographical Conditions
● Brazil's physical features can be grouped into five main physiographic divisions:
● The Amazon lowlands
● The Pantanal in the Central-West
● The Brazilian Highlands (including the extensive coastal ranges)
● The coastal lowlands
● The Guiana Highlands in the North
● The Brazilian Highland are:
● The Brazilian Highlands are a system of plateaus, mountains, and uplands.
● The highest point is Pico da Bandeira, located in the Espinhaço Mountain range.
● The highest summit of the country is located here- Pico da Neblina.
● The Amazon Rivers and Basin are:
● The Amazon River in South America is the largest river by discharge volume of water in the world.
● The Amazon River begins in the Andes Mountains and drains into the Atlantic Ocean.
● The Amazon basin is the part of South America drained by the Amazon River and its tributaries.
● The Amazon drainage basin is located in the countries of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname,
and Venezuela.

IRAN
● Why in News: The Iranian government has
announced a visa-free travel regime for Indian
tourists entering the country by air and
staying for a maximum of 15 days.

About Iran
● Iran is also known as Persia and officially the
Islamic Republic of Iran.
● It is located in the West Asia.
● It is bordered by Iraq to the west and Turkey
to the northwest, Azerbaijan, Armenia, the
Caspian Sea, and Turkmenistan to the north,
Afghanistan to the east, Pakistan to the
southeast, the Gulf of Oman & the Persian
Gulf to the south.
● Iran is one of the world's oldest civilizations.

India-Iran Relation
● India is a significant importer of Iranian oil.
● The Chabahar Port, developed with Indian investment, provides a crucial gateway for trade and energy supplies.
● The India-Iran-Afghanistan Trilateral Agreement facilitates easier trade and connectivity.
● Iran's western borders are with Turkey in the north and Iraq in the south.

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GREENLAND
● Why in News: Greenland has lost 20% more ice than previously thought, says study.

About Greenland
● Greenland is the world’s largest island
located between the Arctic and Atlantic
oceans, east of the Canadian Arctic
Archipelago.
● The Capital of Greenland is called Nuuk.
● It is an autonomous territory within the
Kingdom of Denmark.
● It is located in the North Atlantic Ocean off
the northeastern coast of Canada, bounded
on the north by the Arctic Ocean; on the
west by Smith Sound, Baffin Bay, and the
Davis Strait; and on the east by the Arctic
and North Atlantic oceans.
● It shares its maritime borders with Canada,
Iceland, and Norway.

SEA OF JAPAN
● Why in News: Russia's Pacific Fleet recently
conducted naval defence drills in the Sea of
Japan.

About the Sea of Japan

● The Sea of Japan (East Sea) is a marginal sea
of the western Pacific Ocean.
● It is located in Eastern Asia that is bounded
by Japan and Sakhalin Island to the east and
by Russia and Korea on the Asian mainland
to the west.
● The sea itself lies in a deep basin, separated
from the East China Sea to the south by the
Tsushima and Korea straits and from the
Sea of Okhotsk to the north by the La
Perouse (or Sōya) and Tatar straits.
● To the east, it is also connected with the
Inland Sea of Japan by the Kanmon Strait
and to the Pacific by the Tsugaru Strait.
● There are no large islands in the Sea of
Japan. Except for the South Korean island of
Ulleungdo, all the other small islands are
situated near the eastern coast of the sea.

MALTA
● Why in News: Malta announced joining the International Solar Alliance.
● The ISA aims to reduce the need for unreliable sources such as biofuels.
● India welcomed Malta and congratulated it on joining the Solar Alliance as the 119th country.

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About Malta
● Malta is located in the
Mediterranean Sea, southeast
tip of Sicily, north of Libya, and
east of Tunisia, at the eastern
end of the constricted portion
of the Mediterranean Sea
separating Italy from the African
coast.
● The five Maltese islands are
Malta, Gozo, Comino,
Comminotto, and Filflawith.
● The Capital of Malta is Valletta.

Mediterranean Sea
● The sea of the Atlantic Ocean
lies between the continents of
Eurasia and Africa enclosed
almost completely by land.
● It is bordered by Albania,
Algeria, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Croatia, Cyprus,
Egypt, France, Greece, Israel,
Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Malta,
Monaco, Montenegro, Morocco,
Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia,
and Turkey.
● To the west, it is connected to
the Atlantic Ocean through the
Strait of Gibraltar, to the east
with the Black Sea through the
Dardanelles Straits, and to the
south with the Red Sea through
the Suez Canal.
● Nile River (Africa) drains into the
Mediterranean Sea.

LAKSHADWEEP
● Why in News: The Prime Minister spoke about “the stunning beauty of its islands”, adding that “for those who wish
to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list.”

About Lakshadweep
● Lakshadweep is a tropical archipelago comprising 36 atolls and coral reefs situated in the Laccadive Sea.
● It is a uni-district Union Territory and comprises 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks, and ten inhabited
islands.

There are three main groups of islands:

● Amindivi Islands (Northernmost Islands)
● Laccadive Islands
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● Minicoy Island (southernmost island)
● All are tiny islands of Coral origin (Atoll) and are
surrounded by fringing reefs.
● The Capital is Kavaratti and it is also the principal
town of the Union Territory.

Geographical Conditions
● The island is situated in the Laccadive Sea extending
between 8 degree N and 12 degree N latitude.
● The entire Lakshadweep Islands group is made up of
coral deposits.
● The islands consist of unconsolidated pebbles,
shingles, cobbles, and boulders. All are atolls
surrounded by Fringing Reefs.
● Some islands under the Lakshadweep Islands group
are:
● Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy, Amindivi, Androth,
Kalpeni, Pitti, Suheli Par, Keltan, Chetlat, Kadmat,
Bitra Perumul Par, Bangaram
● Amindivi Islands are the northern-most while the
Minicoy Island is the 8 Degree Channel ( 8 degrees
north latitude) that separates the islands of Minicoy
and Maldives.
● The 9-degree channel ( 9 degrees north latitude)
separates the island of Minicoy from the main
Lakshadweep archipelago.
● Largest island: Minicoy Island (south of the nine-
degree channel)
● The topography of the Lakshadweep Islands is flat
and relief features such as hills, streams, valleys, etc.
are absent.

PLACES IN INDIA
PONG-DAM WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
● Why in News: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forest recently issued a draft notification declaring a one-
kilometre area from the boundaries of the Pong Dam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kangra district as an eco-sensitive zone.
● It is situated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh.
● Pong Dam Lake was declared a Ramsar Site in November 2002.
● One of the largest man-made wetlands in Northern India, Pong Dam also serves as a sanctuary for the largest
population of migratory birds, along with a number of endemic species.

KISAMA HERITAGE VILLAGE

● Why in News: In Nagaland, the 10-day long Hornbill Festival 2022 will begin on December 1, at Naga heritage village
Kisama.
● Kisama is located from Kohima, Nagaland.
● The Heritage Villages is designed in the form of an ancient Naga village to give an authentic feel of a true Naga village.

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PAKKE PAGA HORNBILL FESTIVAL
● Why in News: The 9th edition of the Pakke
Paga Hornbill Festival (PPHF), a state
festival of Arunachal Pradesh, will take
place at Seijosa.
● It is located in the East Kameng district of
Arunachal Pradesh.
● It is surrounded by the Tenga Reserve
Forest to the North, the Doimara Reserve
Forest on the West, Nameri National Park,
and Tiger Reserve (Assam) on the South.
● It is situated North of the river
Brahmaputra in the transition zone
between the Assam plains and the hilly
forests of Arunachal Pradesh.

DEEPOR BEEL
● Why in News: The Assam Environment and Forest Minister recently said the state government will “simply rules” to
allow water sports and tourism-related activities in ‘Deepor Beel’.
● It is a perennial freshwater lake located 10 km southwest of Guwahati city, Assam.
● It is a permanent freshwater wetland in a former channel of the Brahmaputra River.
● It was recognised as a Ramsar Site in 2002 and as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) in 2004.
● It is the only Ramsar site in the state of Assam.

KALAKAD MUNDANTHURAI TIGER RESERVE

● Why in News: Recently, two researchers from Tamil Nadu have spotted a rare moth species for the first time in India
in the buffer zone of Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.
● The Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari District of Tamil Nadu is one of the
protected areas having diverse flora and fauna.
● It was declared as the “First Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu.
● It consists of the Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary in the south and the Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary in the North.
● The river Thamirabarani originates from this tiger reserve.

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KUDANKULAM POWER PLANT
● Why in News: In correlation to the news on the ostensible cyber-attack on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.
● The Kudankulam power plant is located in the coastal Tamil Nadu.
● It is a Civilian Nuclear Power Plant, built by India in joint collaboration with Russia.

KANGAYAM
● Why in News: A team from the Virarajendran Archaeological and Historical Research Centre in Tiruppur discovered
two stone inscriptions at Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu temples in Pazhnchervazhi village near Kangayam.

11th Century Grantham Inscription

● The 11th-century Grantham inscription was found half-buried in front of the Amman shrine inside the Siva Temple.
● It features Graffiti marks and writings on all four sides, depicting symbols like standing lamps, 'Trishul,' conch, and
moon symbols.
● The inscription suggests the "mantra" stone was worshipped for curing diseases.
● The inscriptions date back to the 11th century (Grantham) and the 16th century (Tamil).

16th Century Grantham Inscription

● The 16th-century Tamil inscription was found half-buried inside the Vishnu temple.
● It contains descriptions in 12, nine, and four lines on three sides, providing historical insights into pottery-making
during that period.
● The inscription mentions a potter named Kuthar Sungam making a donation of four rupees for lighting the perpetual
lamp in the Vishnu temple, indicating the profitability of pottery-making during that time.

Historical Background
● The Pallava script, also known as Pallava Grantha, emerged in the 4th century CE and was used until the 7th century
CE in India.
● Early Grantha script was used for writing Sanskrit texts, inscriptions on copper plates, and stones of Hindu temples
and monasteries.
● Middle Grantha evolved by the 7th century, and Transitional Grantha emerged around the 8th century, remaining in
use until about the 14th century.
● Modern Grantha has been in use since the 14th century for writing classical texts in Sanskrit and Dravidian languages,
as well as for chanting hymns and in traditional Vedic schools.

KUDAVOLAI SYSTEM
● Why In News: Tamil Nadu's tableau in the Republic Day parade showcased the historical significance of the Kudavolai
electoral system.

About Kudavolai
● Emerged during the Chola era, the Kudavolai system was utilized to elect representatives responsible for village
administration.
● The system effectively conveyed the collective will of the people to the empire.
● Historical evidence for the Kudavolai system is documented in the Uttaramerur inscriptions located in Kanchipuram
district.
● Villagers actively participated in the administration, resembling the modern Panchayat Raj system.
● The village was divided into 30 wards, and residents from these wards gathered to select one representative for the
village assembly.

Election Process
● Contestants' names were written on palm leaf tickets (volai), placed in a pot (kuda), and shuffled.
● A small boy randomly picked palm leaves to determine elected representatives.
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ROLLAPADU WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
● Why in News: The Great Indian Bustard (GIB) has not been spotted at the Rollapadu Wildlife Sanctuary in Nandyal
district of Andhra Pradesh and its surrounding areas for the last couple of years, which is an indication that the bird is
at risk of local extinction.
● It is located in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
● It lies between the Nallamalai and Yerramalai hill ranges of the Eastern Ghats.
● It was declared a sanctuary in 1988 to protect the dwindling populations of the critically endangered Great Indian
Bustard.

BANNI GRASSLAND
● Why in News: The central government has approved a proposal to establish a cheetah conservation breeding centre
in Gujarat’s Kutch district’s Banni grassland.
● Banni Grassland is situated near the Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat.
● It is considered to be the largest Grassland in Asia, and accounting for almost 45% of the pastures in Gujarat.
● Rich biodiversity with 192 species of plants, 262 species of birds, several species of mammals, reptiles, and
amphibians. It is also known for the Banni breed of buffaloes.
● The grasslands are home to mammals such as the: Nilgai, Chinkara, Blackbuck, Wild boar, Golden jackal, Indian hare,
Indian wolf, and Caracal.

MICHIPADAVU
● Why in News: The National Green Tribunal’s has issued notices to the Karnataka and Kerala State Governments on a
complaint of alleged illegal and unscientific dumping of endosulfan in the hilly area of Minchinpadavu in Kasaragod
district of Kerala, which is near Nettanige-Mudnur village in Karnataka.

CHINNAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

● Why in News: A team of researchers in Kerala has identified the presence of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in the
state for the first time, specifically at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki.
● The Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary has been under consideration for listing as a World Heritage Site by the UNESCO
World Heritage Committee.
● It is Situated in the Idukki district of Kerala. The major rivers include Chinnar and Pambar.
● The Eurasian otter is categorised as ‘near threatened’ on the IUCN Red List.

WILLINGDON ISLAND
● Why in News: Recently, the Cochin Port Joint
Trade Union Forum has urged the Prime
Minister of India to take effective steps to
revive the lost glory of Willingdon Island.

About the Island

● It is among the most beautiful locations in
Kochi, Kerala.
● This is a man-made island, named after Lord
Willingdon who was a British Viceroy of India.
● It is a major commercial centre and has some
of the best hotels in the city.
● It is also home to the Kochi Naval Base of the
Indian Navy, the Central Institute of Fisheries
Technology, and the Port of Kochi.
● The island is connected to the mainland by the Venduruthy Bridge.
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VADNAGAR
● Why in News: A joint study by the Indian Institute of Technology (Kharagpur) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)
has found evidence of cultural continuity in Vadnagar, Gujarat, even after the Harappan collapse. Recently, the Prime
Minister said that Vadnagar in Gujarat’s Mehsana district had been a great centre for Buddhist learning centuries ago.
● The study reveals evidence of a human settlement in Vadnagar dating back to as old as 800 BCE.
● This places the settlement in the late-Vedic/pre-Buddhist Mahajanapadas or oligarchic republics period.
● It is a small town in Mehsana district of north Gujarat.
● It is mentioned often in the Puranas and even in the travelogue of the great Chinese traveller, Hiuen Tsang (7th
century), as a rich and flourishing town”.

PENCH TIGER RESERVE

● Why in News: Recently, the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has been marked as India’s first international
Dark Sky Park.
● A night observatory has been established and the area near Bagholi is designated for stargazing.
● The park has replaced over 100 street and community lights with downward-facing lights in various villages,
minimising their impact on the night sky.
● All these efforts help in protecting the night sky, preventing light pollution, and promoting astronomy.

About the Tiger Reserve

● The sanctuary is located across two states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
● The Pench River flows through the middle of the park.
● The portion of the reserve that is in Madhya Pradesh is located in the Satpura ranges.
● The reserve is also among the sites notified as Important Bird Areas (IBA) of India.
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