Places

Chittagong Port is one of the important seaports of Bangladesh. It has recently been in the news for offering India to use its port facility to boost economic activity in the North-East Indian states. The port provides close access to global shipping lanes, benefiting neighboring regions.

The world's largest suspension bridge, 'Sky Bridge 721', is located in the Czech Republic. This bridge, measuring 721 meters (2,365 feet) in length, connects two mountain ridges and offers breathtaking views of the Jesenky Mountains. It stands 312 feet above a valley, surpassing Nepal's Baglung Parbat Footbridge in length.

The Sierra de Culebra mountain range, located in Spain, has recently experienced massive wildfires due to an unusual heat wave in Western Europe. These wildfires have caused significant damage to the northwestern province of Zamora, highlighting the effects of climate change.

'Sanaa Airport,' which has gained recent attention, is situated in Yemen. The United Nations welcomed the first commercial flight from Sanaa Airport to Egypt, signifying a positive step towards restoring air connectivity amid the ongoing conflicts in Yemen.

According to a survey conducted by the Geological Survey of India (GSI), the state of Bihar in India possesses unexplored gold reserves of approximately 222.88 million tonnes. The state government, in collaboration with GSI and the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), has granted permission for exploring this vast reserve, which is claimed to be India's largest gold reserve.

Libreville is the capital city of Gabon in Central Africa. The Vice President of India recently visited Gabon, Senegal, and Qatar, strengthening bilateral ties. The visit aimed to reaffirm India's commitment to being Gabon's reliable partner, as trade between the two countries reached USD 1.12 billion in 2021-22.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chandigarh UT Administration to establish the Indian Air Force Heritage Centre. This center will feature simulators, decommissioned aircraft, aero engines, and other IAF artifacts, incorporating virtual reality and AI technology. It aims to inform and inspire the youth of the country to join the armed forces.

Surat, a city in India, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first city in the country to have a road constructed using 100% processed steel slag. Steel slag is a by-product of steel manufacturing, and this innovative road construction technique showcases the sustainable utilization of industrial by-products. The project is a collaborative effort between the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) and Arcelor Mittal Nippon Steel (AMNS).

Panjshir Valley, recently in the news, is situated in Afghanistan. The valley has a historical significance as it served as a site of resistance by Afghans against Soviet forces in the 1980s and as a base for rebels opposing Taliban rule in the late 1990s. The National Resistance Front (NRF) has recently launched an offensive against Taliban forces in the region.

Theri Desert, located in Tamil Nadu, derives its name from the Tamil term "theri," meaning red dunes. This desert is known for its unique red sand dunes with sediments dating back to the Quaternary period. The desert serves as an important ecological and geological site of interest.

Deoghar International Airport, the second international airport in the state of Jharkhand, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This airport provides direct connectivity to the revered Baba Baidyanath Temple, a significant pilgrimage site. The inaugural flight from Kolkata to Deoghar marked a milestone for IndiGo, making it their 74th domestic and 99th overall destination.

Mes Aynak, an ancient Buddhist city, is situated in Afghanistan. It was a significant city known for its copper extraction and trade. In 2007, the Chinese mining giant Metallurgical Group Corporation (MCC) signed a multi-billion-dollar contract to mine copper from this site. Currently, the preservation of Mes Aynak is a matter of concern due to its historical and cultural significance.

Sierra de Mijas is a mountain range situated in Spain. Recently, wildfires have caused significant damage in this region, along with other parts of France, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. These wildfires have resulted in the destruction of vast areas of land and forced the evacuation of numerous residents.

Sakurajima Volcano is located in Japan on the major western island of Kyushu. It is one of Japan's most active volcanoes, and eruptions are observed regularly. Recently, the volcano erupted, emitting lava and smoke, demonstrating its ongoing volcanic activity.

Loktak Lake, the largest freshwater lake in India, is situated in the state of Manipur. This lake covers a significant portion of the identified wetlands in Manipur. Recently, the Loktak Development Authority issued a notice to remove floating houses and fishing structures on the lake, which has sparked reactions from the fishing community and home-stay operators.

Mount Fagradalsfjall, the volcano that recently erupted, is situated in Iceland near the capital city of Reykjavik. This volcano erupted for a duration of six months in 2021 in an uninhabited valley called Geldingadalir, following continuous seismic activity in the region.

The state government of Arunachal Pradesh has named its third airport, currently under construction in Itanagar, as 'Donyi Polo Airport.' It will serve as the only airport in the capital city of Arunachal Pradesh and the third airport in the state, following Pasighat and Tezu airports. The name 'Donyi Polo' is derived from the local tribal language, where 'Donyi' means Sun and 'Polo' means Moon.

Hambantota port, located in Sri Lanka, recently received a visit from a Chinese surveillance vessel named Yuan Wang 5. Due to security concerns, the Sri Lankan President, Ranil Wickremesinghe, has stated that China will not be permitted to use the facility for military purposes.

Vizhinjam Port, being developed by Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd, is India's first mega trans-shipment container terminal. The construction of the port in Kerala is underway, and the first phase is expected to be commissioned by September next year. The port aims to enhance India's maritime infrastructure and facilitate efficient trans-shipment of containers.

The Ministry of Culture has declared the Anang Tal Lake in South Delhi a monument of national importance. Anang Tal, dating back to 1,060 AD, holds historical and cultural significance. This recognition aims to preserve and protect the lake's heritage value.

Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island, previously known as Ross Island, is situated three kilometers away from Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It has recently been handed over to the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for tourism development and infrastructure growth. The island is home to India's first solar lighthouse and has been a focus of development initiatives by NITI Ayog and Island Development Agency under the Act East Policy.

Rakhigarhi, situated in Haryana, is one of the twenty heritage sites identified for the "National importance" tag. The site holds historical significance and is recognized as one of the "five iconic sites" by the Indian government. Other sites include Anangtal in Delhi, Chintakunta's rock paintings in Andhra Pradesh, Murgi's rock art site in Ladakh, and Kaleshwar Mahadev Temple in Himachal Pradesh.

Mount Fagradalsfjall, located near the capital city of Reykjavik in Iceland, recently witnessed a volcanic eruption. The volcano, named Geldingadalir, erupted for a duration of six months in 2021 in an uninhabited valley near Reykjavik. The eruption followed a series of continuous seismic activities in the area.

Padang, a 200-year-old green and open space, was recently declared as Singapore's 75th national monument. It holds historical significance as it was the site where Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose gave his "Delhi Chalo" slogan in 1943. Padang is the first green and open space to be recognized as a national monument in Singapore, representing the highest form of recognition for its historical significance.

Hambantota port, which has recently been in the news, is located in Sri Lanka. The port received a visit from a Chinese surveillance vessel, and there were security concerns regarding its use for military purposes. Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has stated that China will not be allowed to use the facility for military purposes.

Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) has been in the news recently. The power plant is located in Ukraine. India's Permanent Representative to the UN expressed concern about the plant during a United Nations Security Council briefing. India emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety and security of nuclear facilities, as accidents involving such facilities could have disastrous consequences.

The Sea of Okhotsk, which has been making headlines, is a marginal sea of the Pacific Ocean. It shares borders with Japan and Russia. The Sea of Okhotsk will be the site of military drills, known as Vostok 2022, involving the Russian and Chinese navies. The drills will focus on operations in the waters and coastline areas of the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.

Manasbal Lake, situated in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district, has recently gained attention. The Indian Navy has revived its training area at Manasbal Lake after a closure of 33 years due to terrorism. The facility at the lake is excellent for naval training of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in Jammu and Kashmir.

The new capital of Kazakhstan is 'Astana.' Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recently signed a law limiting presidential terms and reverting the capital's name to Astana. The capital's name was changed to Nur-Sultan in 2019 in honor of outgoing President Nursultan Nazarbayev. The bill also extends presidential mandates to a seven-year term.

Bogibeel has been in the news recently as the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways announced the launch of India's longest river cruise service, which will operate between Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh and Bogibeel in Assam. Bogibeel is situated in the state of Assam and the river cruise service will connect the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers via the Indo-Bangladesh Protocol Route (IBPR).

Caracas is the capital city of Venezuela. It recently hosted the fourth round of foreign office consultations between India and Venezuela, covering various bilateral relations such as political, trade, energy, health, culture, and science and technology.

The Semeru Volcano, located in Indonesia, has recently erupted, causing evacuations in the East Java province. The eruption has resulted in the release of volcanic ash, and the authorities are monitoring the situation.

The Okavango delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Botswana, and Murchison Falls, Uganda's oldest and largest national park, are both located in Southern Africa. These biodiversity hotspots are facing potential threats from oil companies, as highlighted in a recent report.

The Sela Pass tunnel is being constructed in Arunachal Pradesh by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). It aims to provide all-weather connectivity to the China border and enhance accessibility for the Indian Army.

The rock-cut sculptures and reliefs of the Unakoti, located in Tripura, have been included in UNESCO's tentative list of World Heritage Sites. These artistic creations showcase the rich cultural heritage of the region.

The Zuari Bridge, which is the second-largest cable-stayed bridge in India, is situated in Goa. It was recently inaugurated by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, and it will enhance connectivity between North Goa and South Goa.

The "Bailey Suspension Bridge" has been recently inaugurated in Jammu and Kashmir by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh. This bridge, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), aims to enhance connectivity over the Chenab River.

The Kilauea Volcano, located in Hawaii (USA), is renowned as one of the most active volcanoes globally. Recently, it has resumed erupting after a brief pause, with volcanic activity observed in the region.

Pudaang village, situated in Chhattisgarh, is undergoing road construction for the first time since India's Independence. This development will connect the village to the rest of the state, facilitating improved accessibility.

Kappad beach, located in Kerala, is the only beach in the state that has received the prestigious international Blue Flag certificate. This certification recognizes the beach for its adherence to eco-friendly measures, safety standards, and hygiene practices.

The state of Karnataka has obtained clearance from the Centre for two Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) related to the Kalasa-Banduri Nala project on the Mahadayi River. This project aims to divert water from Mahadayi to fulfill the drinking water requirements of four districts in Karnataka. The river originates in Belagavi district of Karnataka and flows into the Arabian Sea in Goa.

In Madhya Pradesh, two Indian Air Force fighter aircraft, specifically a Sukhoi-30 and a Mirage 2000, crashed in the Pahadgarh area. An inquiry has been ordered by the Indian Air Force to determine the cause of the accident. The planes were on a routine operational flying training mission and had taken off from the Gwalior air base in Madhya Pradesh.

The Parli Vaijnath-Vikarabad Railway Electrification Project has recently been completed, resulting in the electrification of the entire 268-kilometer route. Parli Vaijnath is a city in Maharashtra. This project will benefit the people of Telangana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra.

The Union Cabinet recently approved the construction of the Shinku La Tunnel, which aims to provide all-weather connectivity in Ladakh. This tunnel is expected to boost tourism and other economic activities in the region, particularly benefiting the economy of the Zanskar Valley. It will be constructed at an altitude of 16,580 feet by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) and is anticipated to be the world's highest tunnel, spanning a distance of 4.1 km.

Yamunotri Dham is one of the four famous Hindu pilgrimage sites known as Char Dham, situated in the Himalayas. The other three sites are Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. The state government of Uttarakhand has signed a contract to construct a 3.38 km ropeway from Janki Chatti in Kharsali to Yamunotri Dham. This ropeway project aims to reduce travel time and is estimated to cost Rs. 166.82 crore.

Gurudongmar Lake is situated at an altitude of approximately 17,800 feet in the Mangan district of Sikkim. It is one of the highest lakes in India. Recently, Union Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs Nirmala Sitharaman visited Gurudongmar Lake and interacted with army personnel. The lake is named after Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Great Pyramid of Giza, the tomb of Pharaoh Khufu, is the largest pyramid in Egypt and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was built over a period of approximately 27 years in the early 26th century BC. Recently, scientists involved in the ScanPyramids project discovered a hidden passage inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, measuring 9 meters in length and over 2 meters in width.

Archaeologists have discovered the oldest pearl town in the Persian Gulf on Siniyah Island, which is located in Umm al-Quwain, an emirate situated approximately 50 km northeast of Dubai. The discovery includes hundreds of homes dating back to the late 6th century, providing insights into the region's pre-Islamic history.

The 'Villa of Quintilii' is an ancient Roman villa situated near the Via Appia Antica, beyond the fifth milestone, close to Rome, Italy. A new study provided details about a lavish winery where the Roman elite used to gather annually within the Villa of Quintilii.

Fort Dansborg, also known as the Danish Fort, was built in 1620 in the coastal village of Tharangambadi in Tamil Nadu. The Tamil Nadu state tourism department has allocated Rs. 3 crore for various infrastructure development works at this historic fort.