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Type: World Mapping

  • Philippines Opens Coast Guard Base on Thitu Island

    Why in the News?

    The Philippines opened a new Coast Guard base on Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island) in the South China Sea, strengthening its presence in a disputed maritime region claimed by China.

    Key Highlights

    • Location: Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island)
    • Region: South China Sea
    • Purpose: Strengthen sovereignty and maritime security
    • The base will include:
      • Patrol ships
      • Aircraft
      • Surveillance systems
      • Search and rescue operations

    The base will also support:

    • Fishermen protection
    • Environmental monitoring
    • Law enforcement

    Why the South China Sea is Important

    • Major global trade route
    • Rich in:
      • Fisheries
      • Oil and gas reserves
    • Strategic military importance

    Dispute in the South China Sea

    • China claims almost the entire South China Sea, including areas claimed by:
      • Philippines
      • Vietnam
      • Malaysia
      • Brunei
      • Taiwan
    • China’s claim is based on the Nine-Dash Line, which was:
      • Rejected by 2016 International Arbitration Tribunal
      • Based on UNCLOS (1982)
    • China rejected the ruling and continues to assert control.

    About Thitu Island (Pag-asa Island)

    • Located in Spratly Islands
    • Controlled by Philippines since 1970s
    • About 400 residents
    • Strategic location near Chinese military bases
    • China has built artificial islands and military infrastructure nearby, including Subi Reef.
    [2022] With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements: 1 A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention. 2 Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. 3 The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Which of the statements given above are correct? (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Supreme Court Allows Kozhikode Wayanad Tunnel Project

    Why in the News?

    The Supreme Court refused to interfere with environmental clearance granted to the Kozhikode Wayanad twin tube tunnel project in Kerala’s Western Ghats.

    Supreme Court Observation

    • Project appears of national importance
    • Kerala faces:
      • Land scarcity
      • Road congestion
      • Transport bottlenecks
    • Court noted:
      • Tunnels common worldwide
      • Experts will handle safety concerns

    About Kozhikode Wayanad Tunnel Project

    • Twin tube tunnel corridor
    • Connects:
      • Kozhikode district
      • Wayanad district
    • Located in Western Ghats
    • Landslide prone region

    Concerns Raised

    Petitioner NGO argued:

    • Near Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
    • Ecologically fragile Western Ghats
    • Landslide prone area
    • Risk from blasting and vibrations
    • Should receive Category A environmental clearance
    [2016] ‘Gadgil Committee Report’ and ‘Kasturirangan Committee Report’, sometimes seen in the news, are related to (a) constitutional reforms (b) Ganga Action Plan (c) linking of rivers (d) protection of Western Ghats

  • Gabon Seeks IMF Loan to Stabilise Economy

    Why in the News

    Gabon is negotiating with the International Monetary Fund for a new loan programme to stabilise its finances after political instability and economic challenges.

    Background of the Crisis

    • Gabon has faced political instability including: A military coup, A contentious election and Four Finance Ministers in three years
    • This instability has weakened fiscal management and reduced investor confidence.

    Purpose of IMF Assistance

    • Gabon wants an IMF programme to:
      • Stabilise public finances
      • Improve transparency and fiscal discipline
      • Unlock international funding and investor capital
      • An IMF programme often acts as a signal of credibility for global investors.

    Regional Impact

    • Gabon is part of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.
      • Several CEMAC countries are also considering IMF assistance due to a regional funding crunch.
      • Therefore, Gabon’s IMF programme could influence financial stability across the region.

    Challenges to Securing the Loan

    • Experts highlight several concerns:
      • Debt transparency issues
      • Weak availability of economic data
      • Need for difficult fiscal reforms
      • Government’s expansionary fiscal policies
    • Gabon’s previous IMF programme (approved in 2021) went off-track after one year, increasing scepticism.
    [2022] “Rapid Financing Instrument” and “Rapid Credit Facility” are related to the provisions of lending by which one of the following? (a) Asian Development Bank (b) International Monetary Fund (c) United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (d) World Bank

  • India–Finland Relations Elevated to Strategic Partnership

    Why in the News

    India and Finland have elevated their bilateral relations to a “Strategic Partnership in Digitalization and Sustainability” after talks between Narendra Modi and Finnish President Alexander Stubb in New Delhi.

    Key Outcomes of the Visit

    Strategic Partnership Focus

    • Cooperation will expand in high-technology sectors such as:
      • Artificial Intelligence
      • 6G telecommunications
      • Clean energy
      • Quantum computing
      • Digital infrastructure

    Agreements Signed

    • Three agreements were signed in the fields of:
      • Mobility cooperation
      • Environment and sustainability
      • Statistics and data sharing

    New Institutional Mechanisms

    The two countries will establish:

    • Joint Working Group on Digitalization
    • Joint Task Force on 6G technology
    • Consular Dialogue mechanism
    • Greater connectivity between startup ecosystems

    Economic Cooperation

    • India and Finland aim to double bilateral trade by 2030.
    • The countries will co-host the World Circular Economy Forum in India.
    • Cooperation expected in sectors such as: Defence, Space, Semiconductors and Critical minerals

    Existing India–Finland Cooperation

    Examples highlighted during the meeting include:

    • Finnish company Nokia helping build telecom networks in India.
    • Finnish architectural collaboration in constructing the Chenab Railway Bridge.
    • Finland’s partnership in establishing the world’s largest bamboo-to-bioethanol refinery at Numaligarh in Assam.
    Consider the following countries: 1. Finland  2. Germany  3. Norway  4. Russia How many of the above countries have a border with the North Sea? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four

  • Renewed Conflict Between Syrian Government and Kurds

    Why in the News?

    Renewed fighting has erupted in Syria between government forces led by interim leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), threatening to roll back Kurdish autonomy that has existed since the 2011 civil war.

    Background Context

    • The regime of Bashar al-Assad collapsed in December 2024
    • Ahmed al-Sharaa promised an inclusive administration but pushed for a centralised Syrian state
    • Ethnic and religious minorities, including Kurds, resisted centralisation
    • Sectarian violence resurfaced against Alawites and Druze, followed by clashes with Kurds

    Who Are the Syrian Kurds?

    • Kurds form about 10 percent of Syria’s population
    • Concentrated in north and northeast Syria
    • Long standing demand for autonomy, not secession
    • In 2012, Assad withdrew troops from the northeast
    • Kurds filled the vacuum and declared autonomous regions called cantons
    • These areas together formed the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), also called Rojava
    [2016] Consider the following pairs: Community sometimes mentioned in the news : In the affairs of 

    1. Kurd : Bangladesh 

    2. Madhesi : Nepal 

    3. Rohingya : Myanmar 

    Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched? 

    (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 2 and 3 (d) 3 only

  • Mount Elbrus

    Why in the News?

    A controlled avalanche was artificially triggered on Mount Elbrus in Russia to safely release accumulated snow following heavy snowfall, reducing the risk of natural avalanches.

    About

    • Highest mountain in Europe
    • An ancient, extinct volcano with two distinct peaks
    • Part of the Caucasus mountain system
    • Major hub for mountaineering and alpine tourism

    Location

    • Situated in southwestern Russia
    • Lies in the Caucasus Mountains, just north of the Georgia border
    • Located between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea mountain corridor

    Key geological features

    • Twin coned stratovolcano formed over 2.5 million years ago
    • Highest peak at 5,642 metres
    • Second peak at 5,595 metres
    • Covered by 22 glaciers
    • Feeds major rivers such as Kuban and Terek
    • Though dormant for nearly 2,000 years, still shows sulphurous gas emissions and mineral springs

    Significance

    • Officially recognised as Europe’s highest peak
    • Included among the Seven Summits for global climbers
    • Important site for glaciological research and climate change studies
    • Observed by scientific missions including the International Space Station
    • Economically vital for tourism and adventure sports in the Caucasus region

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    • Mount Elbrus is higher than Mont Blanc
    • It is an extinct stratovolcano, not a fold mountain
    • Located in the Caucasus, between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea
    • Hosts extensive glaciation despite being dormant
    • Controlled avalanches are used for disaster risk reduction in high mountain regions
    [2014] Turkey is located between: 

    (a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea 

    (b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea 

    (c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea 

    (d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea

  • Somaliland  

    Why in the News?

    Recently, Israel formally recognised the self declared Republic of Somaliland as an independent and sovereign state.

    About Somaliland

    • Located in the Horn of Africa
       • Borders Djibouti, Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Puntland region
       • Has a strategic coastline along the Gulf of Aden
       • Capital city Hargeisa

    Economy and Infrastructure

    • Economy primarily livestock based
       • Major exports of livestock to Gulf countries
       • Berbera Port is being developed as a regional trade and logistics hub
       • Port plays a key role in providing access to sea trade for landlocked Ethiopia

    Prelims Pointers

    • Somaliland is not a UN recognised state despite functioning independently
       • Located along a strategic maritime route near the Bab el Mandeb region
       • Unique political system combining customary institutions and democracy
       • Berbera Port enhances regional connectivity in the Horn of Africa
    Which of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine? [2023]

    (a) Angola 

    (b) Costa Rica 

    (c) Ecuador 

    (d) Somalia

  • Hormuz Island

    Why in the News?

    • A rare natural phenomenon turned the coastlines of Hormuz Island into a blood red landscape, drawing global attention

    About Hormuz Island

    • Location: Iran, on the Strait of Hormuz
     • Lies between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman
     • Situated about 8 km off the Iranian coast
     • Area: 41.9 sq km
     • A hilly island with distinctive geomorphology

    Geological Features

    • Composed mainly of sedimentary rocks and volcanic ash
     • Dominant red colour due to high iron oxide content
     • Presence of hematite mineral gives the soil its deep red hue
     • Ocean waves turn pink when they wash over iron rich sands

    Soil and Climate

    • Experiences low precipitation
     • Soil and water are saline in nature
     • Landscape is largely barren

    Unique Identity

    • Known as Rainbow Island due to multi coloured soil
     • Sand and soil colours include red, gold, silver, and white

    Human Settlement and Livelihood

    • Hormuz village is the only permanent settlement
     • Fishing is the primary source of livelihood
     • Inhabited mainly by the Bandari ethnic group

    What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? (2017)

    (a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase. 

    (b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened. 

    (c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia. 

    (d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.

  • Sakurajima Volcano erupts in Japan’s Kyushu

    Why in the News?

    Japan’s Sakurajima volcano has erupted several times sending ash plumes up to 4.4 km into the atmosphere.

    Sakurajima Volcano erupts in Japan's Kyushu

    About Sakurajima Volcano:

    • Location: Kagoshima Prefecture, Kyushu, sitting on the southern rim of the Aira caldera inside Kagoshima Bay.
    • Geological Origin: Linked to formation of the Aira caldera (22,000–29,000 years ago); Sakurajima developed as a post-caldera cone about 13,000 years ago.
    • Volcano Type: A classic stratovolcano built from alternating lava and ash layers; active vents include Minamidake crater and the Showa flank crater.
    • Physical Features: Height 1,117 m, circumference ≈50 km; originally an island until 1914 lava flows connected it to the Osumi Peninsula.
    • Eruption Style: Dominantly Strombolian eruptions (ash, bombs, lapilli) but historically capable of large Plinian eruptions.
    • Historical Activity: Continuous eruptive record since 963 AD; major episodes in 1471–76, 1779–82, and the 1914 catastrophic eruption.
    • Risk Status: Considered one of Japan’s most dangerous volcanoes due to high activity, caldera-linked magma supply and extreme proximity to inhabited zones.

    What makes it unique?

    • Near-Continuous Activity: Erupts hundreds of times annually, ranking among the world’s most persistently active volcanoes.
    • Caldera System: Built on the Aira caldera, giving it a deep, complex, highly active magma plumbing network.
    • Landform Transformation: The 1914 eruption converted Sakurajima from an island into a peninsula, an unusual event in recorded volcanology.
    [UPSC 2005] Where is the volcanic mountain, Mount St- Helens located?

    Options: (a) Chile (b) Japan (c) Philippines (d) United States of America*

     

  • Senkaku-Diaoyu Islands Issue

    Why in the News?

    A China Coast Guard formation patrolled the Senkaku waters as Beijing escalated tensions with Japan over recent remarks on Taiwan.

    Senkaku-Diaoyu Islands Issue

    About the Senkaku–Diaoyu Islands Issue:

    • Location & Status: A small uninhabited island group in the East China Sea, claimed by Japan, China, and Taiwan.
    • Names: Japan calls them Senkaku, China Diaoyu, and Taiwan Diaoyutai.
    • Administration: Japan has administered the islands since 1972 after the Okinawa Reversion Agreement with the United States.
    • Geography: Consists of five islands and three rocks, covering ~7 sq km; the largest is Uotsuri.
    • Strategic Location: Situated near major shipping lanes linking East Asia to global trade routes.
    • Natural Resources: Surrounding waters believed to hold oil and natural gas deposits, highlighted in a 1969 UN report.
    • Fisheries: Rich fishing grounds add significant economic importance.
    • Geopolitical Value: Located at the junction of interests of Japan, China, Taiwan, and the United States, making it a strategic flashpoint.

    What is the Dispute?

    • Japanese Claim: Japan incorporated the islands in January 1895, asserting they were terra nullius based on surveys from 1885 that found no Chinese administration.
    • Chinese & Taiwanese Claim: Cite dynastic-era maps, navigation records, and Qing documents to argue sovereignty predates Japanese control.
    • Post–World War II Status: The US took control under the 1951 San Francisco Treaty, administering the islands as part of the Nansei Shoto region.
    • 1971 Shift: Transfer of Senkaku and Okinawa back to Japan under the Okinawa Reversion Agreement sparked protests from China and Taiwan.
    • Resource Trigger: China’s active claim strengthened after the 1969 UN report identified potential hydrocarbon reserves.
    • 2012 Escalation: Japan’s purchase of three privately owned islands led to widespread protests, attacks on Japanese businesses, and a surge in nationalist sentiment in China.
    • Current Tensions: Chinese Coast Guard vessels frequently enter surrounding waters to assert Beijing’s claim.
    • Broader Dynamics: Linked to nationalism, unresolved historical grievances, and strategic competition between China, Japan, and the United States across the Indo-Pacific.
    [UPSC 2022] Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?

    Options: (a) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.

    (b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.*

    (c) A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.

    (d) Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.