Muna Island

Source:  NT Subject:  Mapping Context: Rock art dated to at least 67,800 years ago has been identified on Muna Island, Indonesia, making it the oldest known cave art in the world. About Muna Island: What is Muna Island? Muna Island is a large island in Southeast Sulawesi Province, Indonesia, known for its limestone landscapes, archaeological …

Subarnarekha River

Source:  TH Context: Over 50,000 people were affected in Balasore, Odisha, after a flash flood in the Subarnarekha River caused by heavy rain and release of water from Chandil Dam in Jharkhand. About Subarnarekha River: Origin of River: The river originates near Piska/Nagri, close to Ranchi, Jharkhand. The name ‘Subarnarekha’ means “Streak of Gold,” linked …

Fordow Nuclear Facility

Source:  BS Context: The Fordow nuclear facility in Iran is back in focus amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions, with reports highlighting that only the US GBU-57 bunker buster bomb could potentially destroy the fortified site. About Fordow Nuclear Facility: What is Fordow? Fordow is Iran’s most heavily fortified underground uranium enrichment facility, key to its potential …

Armenia

Source:  TN Context: India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) facilitated the safe evacuation of Indian students and citizens from Tehran via Armenia (Operation Sindu), amid escalating Israel-Iran tensions. About Armenia: Location: Armenia lies in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, between Europe and Asia. Capital: Yerevan Neighbouring Countries: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Iran, and Turkey. It also …

Croatia

Source:  TW Context: Prime Minister of India reached Croatia, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the country, as part of his 3-nation tour after attending the G7 Summit in Canada. About Croatia: Location: Croatia is situated at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe. It lies along the eastern coast of the Adriatic …

Strait of Hormuz

Source:  TOI Context: Two oil tankers, Adalynn and Front Eagle, caught fire following a collision near the Strait of Hormuz, triggering concern over energy security and trade stability. About Strait of Hormuz: Location: The Strait of Hormuz is a strategic maritime chokepoint linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea. Despite …

Shipki La Pass

Source:  TH Context: The Himachal Pradesh government has opened the Shipki La Pass in Kinnaur for domestic tourism, eliminating the need for permits, reviving hopes for cross-border trade and religious tourism. About Shipki La Pass: What is Shipki La? Shipki La is a motorable high-altitude mountain pass located at 3,930 metres in Kinnaur district of …

Cyprus

Source:  FE Context: Prime Minister visited Cyprus, marking the first Indian Prime Ministerial visit to the country in over two decades. About Cyprus: Geographical Location: Cyprus lies in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, about 65 km south of Turkey and 100 km west of Syria. Divided Control: Republic of Cyprus (internationally recognized, EU member). Turkish Republic …

Operation Rising Lion

Source:  TH Context: Israel launched ‘Operation Rising Lion’, a massive airstrike targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and top military personnel. About Operation Rising Lion: Operation Rising Lion is a large-scale military airstrike campaign launched by Israel targeting Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. Nations Involved: Israel and Iran Reason Behind the Operation: In response to IAEA’s report …

Lake Natron

Context: A recent surge in environmental attention has spotlighted Lake Natron in Tanzania, a hyper-alkaline lake capable of calcifying animals, as climate threats and proposed development projects endanger its fragile ecosystem. About Lake Natron: What is Lake Natron? Lake Natron is a shallow salt and alkaline lake located in northern Tanzania, bordering Kenya in the …

Taiwan

Source:  NIE Context: A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan shaking buildings in Taipei and coastal regions. Taiwan lies in a high seismic risk zone due to its position along major tectonic boundaries in the Pacific Ring of Fire. About Taiwan: Location: Taiwan is an island nation in the western Pacific Ocean, around 160 km off …

Yemen’s Hodeidah Port

 Source:  HT Context: Israel conducted its first-ever naval strike on Yemen’s Hodeidah Port, targeting docks allegedly used by Houthi rebels to transfer weapons. About Yemen’s Hodeidah Port: Location: Western coast of Yemen, along the Red Sea on the Tihāmah coastal plain. Significance: Yemen’s chief seaport, handling humanitarian aid, fuel, and commercial imports. Features: Equipped with …

Gangotri National Park

Source:  HT Context: Residents of Uttarkashi have raised strong objections to the illegal operation of a waste incinerator inside the Gangotri National Park, citing pollution in the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone and violation of environmental laws. About Gangotri National Park: Gangotri National Park is a high-altitude protected area in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, covering 2,390 sq km. …

Majuli Island and Sivasagar

Source:  TOI Context: Following Charaideo Maidams’ UNESCO World Heritage status in 2024, Assam is now pushing for Majuli Island and Sivasagar to achieve UNESCO recognition. About Majuli Island: Location: Majuli is located in the Brahmaputra River in Assam, about 40 km from Jorhat city. Formation: Formed by the dynamic shifting of Brahmaputra’s river channels over …

Red Sea

Source:  DD News Context: Environmentalists have raised alarms as Egypt plans large-scale tourism development at Ras Hankorab Beach, part of the Red Sea’s fragile marine ecosystem, risking biodiversity loss amid efforts to boost tourism revenue. About the Red Sea: What is the Red Sea? A semi-enclosed tropical sea, part of the Indian Ocean, stretching 1,930 kmfrom the …

Tuti Island

Source:  TH Context: After two years of violent civil war, Sudan’s Tuti Island has been reclaimed by the national army, but lies devastated and depopulated. About Tuti Island: Location: Tuti Island lies at the confluence of the Blue Nile and White Nile rivers. Bordering Urban Centres: It is surrounded by the “Three Towns” – Khartoum, …

Thangjing Hills

Source:  DH Context: Meitei pilgrims were forced to abandon their annual pilgrimage to Thangjing Hills in Manipur due to opposition from the Kuki-Zo community. About Thangjing Hills: Situated in: Churachandpur district, western Manipur. Elevation: Around 2,100 meters (6,900 ft) above sea level. Lies along the Thangjing Hill Range, forming the western boundary of the Imphal …

Tanzania

Source:  ANI Context: India launched its first Africa-India maritime exercise (AIKEYME-2025) in Tanzania to strengthen naval cooperation. The exercise involves 9 African nations focusing on anti-piracy and maritime security operations. About Tanzania: Located in: East Africa, south of the Equator. Capital: Dodoma (official). Neighbouring Nations: Borders: Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi, DR Congo. Maritime Borders: Comoros, Seychelles. Key Geological Features: …

Phawngpui National Park

Source:  HT Context: Nearly one-ninth of Mizoram’s Phawngpui National Park was affected by forest fires that originated from a jhum cultivation site in March 2025. About Phawngpui National Park: Location: Situated in southeastern Mizoram, near the Myanmar border. Known as the Blue Mountain, it is the highest peak in the state at 2,157 metres. Covers …

Mahadayi River

Source:  HT Context: Karnataka farmers and Goa activists are protesting against the Kalasa-Banduri project, which aims to divert Mhadei (Mahadayi) river water, citing ecological and livelihood concerns. About Mahadayi River: Origin: Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (Western Ghats), Belagavi district, Karnataka. Flows Through: Karnataka (35 km), Maharashtra (1 km), and Goa (45 km). Termination: Merges with the …