Nagorno Karabakh |
Why in News: Russian peacekeeping forces have initiated their departure from Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan reclaimed the contested region from Armenian separatists in the previous year.
About Nagorno Karabakh
- Geographical Significance:
- Nagorno-Karabakh, referred to as Artsakh by Armenians, is a landlocked mountainous area situated in the South Caucasus.
- It has been a contested territory claimed by both Azerbaijan and Armenia since the collapse of the Russian Empire in 1917.
- International Recognition
- While internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, Nagorno-Karabakh is predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians.
- The region has its own government, closely aligned with Armenia, yet not formally acknowledged by Armenia or other UN member states.
- Strategic Importance: The region holds strategic significance due to its location surrounded by Turkey, Iran, and Russia, and its proximity to the hydrocarbon reserves of the Caspian Sea.
Alexandria Port |
Why in News: Recent events at Alexandria Port include the closure of Bughazi and Dakheila ports due to adverse weather conditions, as well as successful rescue operations for distressed vessels in the region.
About Alexandria Port
- Location: Alexandria Port is situated in the city of Alexandria, Egypt, on the Mediterranean Sea coast, making it a crucial maritime gateway for the region.
- Historical Significance: Alexandria Port has a rich historical background, dating back to the time of Alexander the Great and the construction of the first port facilities in the village of Rhacotis around 1900 BC
- Geopolitical Importance:The port’s strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea has contributed to its historical and contemporary importance in facilitating trade and maritime activities.
Libya |
Why in News: A calamitous event unfolded in eastern Libya as floods triggered by Storm Daniel wreaked havoc, causing extensive devastation.
About Libya
- Location: Libya is situated in North Africa, with its northern coast bordering the Mediterranean Sea.
- Borders:Libya shares borders with Egypt to the east, Sudan to the southeast, Chad and Niger to the south, Algeria to the west, and Tunisia to the northwest and the coastline along the Mediterranean Sea
- Capital: The capital city of Libya is Tripoli, located on the northwestern coast.
- Independence:Formerly under Ottoman rule and later an Italian colony, Libya gained independence in 1951, establishing a monarchy under King Idris.
Burkina Faso |
Why in News: Burkina Faso’s security and intelligence agencies successfully prevented a coup attempt in recent events.
About Burkina Faso:
- Location:Situated in western Africa, Burkina Faso is a landlocked country.
- Borders:It shares borders with Niger to the east, Mali to the north and west, and Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast to the south.
- Capital:The capital city is Ouagadougou.
- History:Formerly known as Upper Volta, Burkina Faso was part of French West Africa from 1896 until gaining independence from France in 1960.
- Geography:The country’s landscape is characterized by savannahs, plateaus, and low mountains in the southwest, while the northern Sahel region is arid and desert-like.
- Language: French serves as the official language, while indigenous languages like Moore (Mossi) are also widely spoken.
- Economy: Agriculture forms the backbone of the economy, employing a significant portion of the workforce.
- Government:Burkina Faso operates as a republic with a presidential system of governance, undergoing political transitions and leadership changes throughout its history.
Gulf of Mexico |
Why in News: Oil firms bid $382 million for drilling licenses in the Gulf of Mexico following court rulings that dismissed the US government’s efforts to limit the sale to safeguard a threatened whale species.
About Gulf of Mexico
- Location:The Gulf of Mexico is a vast body of water situated within the Atlantic Ocean, recognized as the largest gulf globally.
- Boundaries:Its borders extend from the Mexican Yucatan and Veracruz regions to the west, the United States to the north, the Caribbean islands and Cuba to the east, and the narrowing Mexican mainland to the south.
Connectivity : It links to the Caribbean Sea through the Yucatán Channel and to the Atlantic Ocean via the Straits of Florida.
