πShahid Rajaee Port
β Recently, a massive explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee Port near the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas, resulting in 18 deaths and 800 injuries.
πStrategic Importance of Shahid Rajaee Port
β Location: The port is located near the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of global oil trade passes, making it a critical chokepoint in global energy security.
β Economic role: It is Iranβs largest and most technologically advanced container port, handling a significant share of the countryβs import-export trade.
#mapping
β Recently, a massive explosion occurred at Shahid Rajaee Port near the southern Iranian city of Bandar Abbas, resulting in 18 deaths and 800 injuries.
πStrategic Importance of Shahid Rajaee Port
β Location: The port is located near the Strait of Hormuz, through which nearly 20% of global oil trade passes, making it a critical chokepoint in global energy security.
β Economic role: It is Iranβs largest and most technologically advanced container port, handling a significant share of the countryβs import-export trade.
#mapping
π6β€2
πChina and Phillipines claim their control over Tiexian Reef
πTiexian Reef
β The Tiexian Reef or Sandy Cay is part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
β This 200 sq metre reef is situated near Thitu Island (also known as Pag-asa Island), where the Philippines maintains a military facility and a newly established coast guard base.
Spratly Islands
β The Spratly Islands are a group of over 100 small islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
β They are north of Malaysia and roughly halfway between Vietnam and the Philippines.
πWho Claims Them:
β China, Taiwan, and Vietnam each claim the whole group.
Malaysia and the Philippines claim parts of it.
β Brunei does not claim the islands themselves but claims a nearby area that includes a reef.
β Climate: The islands have a tropical climate.
πTiexian Reef
β The Tiexian Reef or Sandy Cay is part of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea.
β This 200 sq metre reef is situated near Thitu Island (also known as Pag-asa Island), where the Philippines maintains a military facility and a newly established coast guard base.
Spratly Islands
β The Spratly Islands are a group of over 100 small islands and reefs in the South China Sea.
β They are north of Malaysia and roughly halfway between Vietnam and the Philippines.
πWho Claims Them:
β China, Taiwan, and Vietnam each claim the whole group.
Malaysia and the Philippines claim parts of it.
β Brunei does not claim the islands themselves but claims a nearby area that includes a reef.
β Climate: The islands have a tropical climate.
π9β€2
π Tea
π Temperature
β 25-35Β°C
π Rainfall
β >150 cm
π Soil Conditions
β Well-drained, deep friable loams or forest soils, rich in organic water
π Geographical Distribution
β Undulating topography of hilly areas and well-drained soils in humid and sub-humid tropics and sub-tropics
- Assam, West Bengal (Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Bihar districts)
- Lower slopes of Nilgiri and Cardamom hills in Tamil Nadu
π Key Features
β Plantation crop
β Black tea leaves β fermented
β Green tea leaves β unfermented
β Rich content of caffeine and tannin
β Indigenous crop of hills in Northern China
β India β started in the 1840s in Brahmaputra Valley
β 28% of the worldβs production
π Temperature
β 25-35Β°C
π Rainfall
β >150 cm
π Soil Conditions
β Well-drained, deep friable loams or forest soils, rich in organic water
π Geographical Distribution
β Undulating topography of hilly areas and well-drained soils in humid and sub-humid tropics and sub-tropics
- Assam, West Bengal (Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri, and Cooch Bihar districts)
- Lower slopes of Nilgiri and Cardamom hills in Tamil Nadu
π Key Features
β Plantation crop
β Black tea leaves β fermented
β Green tea leaves β unfermented
β Rich content of caffeine and tannin
β Indigenous crop of hills in Northern China
β India β started in the 1840s in Brahmaputra Valley
β 28% of the worldβs production
π24π€―4
π Waterfalls in India
π Chhattisgarh
1. Amritdhara Falls
β Height: 90 m
β River: Hasdeo (Tributary of Mahanadi)
2. Teerathgarh Falls
β Height: 91 m
β River: Munga (Tributary of Kanger which joins Mahanadi)
3. Chitrakote Waterfalls
β Height: 29 m
β River: Indravati (Tributary of Godavari)
π Madhya Pradesh
1. Dhuandhar Waterfall
β Height: 30 m
β River: Narmada (Independent)
2. Chachai
β Height: 130 m
β River: Bihad (Tributary of Tons, a tributary of Ganga)
3. Kapildhara Falls
β Height: 30 m
β River: Narmada (Independent)
4. Rajat Prapat (Silver Falls)
β Height: 107 m
β River: Not associated with a specific river
5. Sonemuda Falls
β Height: 15 m
β River: Son (Tributary of Ganga)
π Jharkhand
1. Panchghagh Falls
β Height: 45 m
β River: Banai (Tributary of Subarnarekha)
2. Lodh Falls
β Height: 143 m
β River: Budha (Tributary of North Koel)
3. Hundru Falls
β Height: 99 m
β River: Subarnarekha (Independent)
π Odisha
1. Barehipani
β Height: 399 m
β River: Budhabalanga (Tributary of Subarnarekha)
2. Khandadhar Falls
β Height: 244 m
β River: Korapani Nala (Tributary of Brahmani)
3. Koilighugar Falls
β Height: 61 m
β River: Ahiraj (Tributary of Mahanadi)
π Karnataka
1. Kunchikal Falls
β Height: 455 m
β River: Varahi (Tributary of Krishna)
2. Barkana Falls
β Height: 259 m
β River: Sita (Tributary of Krishna)
3. Jog Falls
β Height: 253 m
β River: Sharavati
4. Magod Falls
β Height: 198 m
β River: Bedti
5. Shimsha Falls
β Height: 46 m
β River: Shimsha (Tributary of Cauvery)
6. Shivanasamudra Falls
β Height: 98 m
β River: Cauvery
7. Hebbe Falls
β Height: 168 m
β River: Thunga (Tributary of Krishna)
π Maharashtra
1. Thoseghar (Series of Waterfalls)
β Height: 15 to 20 m, one is 200m
β River: Cataracts (unnamed river)
2. Gangapur Falls
β Height: 50 m
β River: Godavari (Independent)
3. Someshwar Falls
β Height: 10 m
β River: Godavari (Independent)
π Kerala
1. Athirappilly Waterfall
β Height: 25 m
β River: Chalakuddy (Tributary of Periyar)
2. Soochipara Falls
β Height: 200 m
β River: Chaliyar (Independent)
3. Meenvumty Falls
β Height: 300 m
β River: Kallar (Tributary of Neyyar)
π Other States
1. Nohsngithiang Waterfall
β Height: 315 m
β River: Cherrapunji (Rain-fed), Meghalaya
2. Vantawng Falls
β Height: 229 m
β River: Lau (Tributary of Tlawng which joins Barak river), Mizoram
3. Kempty Falls
β Height: 40 m
β River: Yamuna, Uttarakhand
4. Dudhsagar Falls
β Height: 320 m
β River: Mandovi, Goa
5. Thalaiyar Falls (Rat Tail Falls)
β Height: 297 m
β River: Manjalar (Tributary of Vaigai)
π Chhattisgarh
1. Amritdhara Falls
β Height: 90 m
β River: Hasdeo (Tributary of Mahanadi)
2. Teerathgarh Falls
β Height: 91 m
β River: Munga (Tributary of Kanger which joins Mahanadi)
3. Chitrakote Waterfalls
β Height: 29 m
β River: Indravati (Tributary of Godavari)
π Madhya Pradesh
1. Dhuandhar Waterfall
β Height: 30 m
β River: Narmada (Independent)
2. Chachai
β Height: 130 m
β River: Bihad (Tributary of Tons, a tributary of Ganga)
3. Kapildhara Falls
β Height: 30 m
β River: Narmada (Independent)
4. Rajat Prapat (Silver Falls)
β Height: 107 m
β River: Not associated with a specific river
5. Sonemuda Falls
β Height: 15 m
β River: Son (Tributary of Ganga)
π Jharkhand
1. Panchghagh Falls
β Height: 45 m
β River: Banai (Tributary of Subarnarekha)
2. Lodh Falls
β Height: 143 m
β River: Budha (Tributary of North Koel)
3. Hundru Falls
β Height: 99 m
β River: Subarnarekha (Independent)
π Odisha
1. Barehipani
β Height: 399 m
β River: Budhabalanga (Tributary of Subarnarekha)
2. Khandadhar Falls
β Height: 244 m
β River: Korapani Nala (Tributary of Brahmani)
3. Koilighugar Falls
β Height: 61 m
β River: Ahiraj (Tributary of Mahanadi)
π Karnataka
1. Kunchikal Falls
β Height: 455 m
β River: Varahi (Tributary of Krishna)
2. Barkana Falls
β Height: 259 m
β River: Sita (Tributary of Krishna)
3. Jog Falls
β Height: 253 m
β River: Sharavati
4. Magod Falls
β Height: 198 m
β River: Bedti
5. Shimsha Falls
β Height: 46 m
β River: Shimsha (Tributary of Cauvery)
6. Shivanasamudra Falls
β Height: 98 m
β River: Cauvery
7. Hebbe Falls
β Height: 168 m
β River: Thunga (Tributary of Krishna)
π Maharashtra
1. Thoseghar (Series of Waterfalls)
β Height: 15 to 20 m, one is 200m
β River: Cataracts (unnamed river)
2. Gangapur Falls
β Height: 50 m
β River: Godavari (Independent)
3. Someshwar Falls
β Height: 10 m
β River: Godavari (Independent)
π Kerala
1. Athirappilly Waterfall
β Height: 25 m
β River: Chalakuddy (Tributary of Periyar)
2. Soochipara Falls
β Height: 200 m
β River: Chaliyar (Independent)
3. Meenvumty Falls
β Height: 300 m
β River: Kallar (Tributary of Neyyar)
π Other States
1. Nohsngithiang Waterfall
β Height: 315 m
β River: Cherrapunji (Rain-fed), Meghalaya
2. Vantawng Falls
β Height: 229 m
β River: Lau (Tributary of Tlawng which joins Barak river), Mizoram
3. Kempty Falls
β Height: 40 m
β River: Yamuna, Uttarakhand
4. Dudhsagar Falls
β Height: 320 m
β River: Mandovi, Goa
5. Thalaiyar Falls (Rat Tail Falls)
β Height: 297 m
β River: Manjalar (Tributary of Vaigai)
π28β€5π₯5
π Kailash Mansarovar Yatra Resumption
π Resumption of Yatra
β’ Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumes in 2025 after a four-year suspension due to Covid-19 and border tensions.
β’ This signals improving India-China relations, especially after a disengagement pact in October 2024.
π Geopolitical Context
β’ The yatra was paused after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, a pivotal moment in India-China relations.
β’ Diplomatic engagements, such as meetings between Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, and Vikram Misriβs visit to Beijing in January 2025, paved the way for the resumption.
π Religious and Cultural Significance
β’ Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Tibetan Bon followers.
β’ This yatra holds cultural and religious significance, also acting as a tool for Indian soft power.
π Official Routes
β’ Lipulekh Pass Route (Uttarakhand):
βͺ Altitude: 5,115 meters, 200 km trek.
βͺ Direct route, operational since 1981.
β’ Nathu La Pass Route (Sikkim):
βͺ Altitude: 4,310 meters, 1,500 km long, 35β40 km trek.
βͺ Operational since 2015.
π Other Route via Nepal
β’ Informal route via Nepal exists, reopened in 2023.
β’ High costs and visa issues limit its use.
π Resumption of Yatra
β’ Kailash Mansarovar Yatra resumes in 2025 after a four-year suspension due to Covid-19 and border tensions.
β’ This signals improving India-China relations, especially after a disengagement pact in October 2024.
π Geopolitical Context
β’ The yatra was paused after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash, a pivotal moment in India-China relations.
β’ Diplomatic engagements, such as meetings between Ajit Doval and Wang Yi, and Vikram Misriβs visit to Beijing in January 2025, paved the way for the resumption.
π Religious and Cultural Significance
β’ Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar are sacred to Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Tibetan Bon followers.
β’ This yatra holds cultural and religious significance, also acting as a tool for Indian soft power.
π Official Routes
β’ Lipulekh Pass Route (Uttarakhand):
βͺ Altitude: 5,115 meters, 200 km trek.
βͺ Direct route, operational since 1981.
β’ Nathu La Pass Route (Sikkim):
βͺ Altitude: 4,310 meters, 1,500 km long, 35β40 km trek.
βͺ Operational since 2015.
π Other Route via Nepal
β’ Informal route via Nepal exists, reopened in 2023.
β’ High costs and visa issues limit its use.
π21
π Great Pacific Garbage Patch
π Key Details:
β Location:
β’ Eastern Pacific Garbage Patch: Between Hawaii and California.
β’ Western Pacific Garbage Patch: Lies east of Japan.
β Size & Study:
β’ Eastern Patch: Larger and more studied, covering 1.6 million kmΒ².
β’ Western Patch: Smaller and more dispersed.
π Key Details:
β Location:
β’ Eastern Pacific Garbage Patch: Between Hawaii and California.
β’ Western Pacific Garbage Patch: Lies east of Japan.
β Size & Study:
β’ Eastern Patch: Larger and more studied, covering 1.6 million kmΒ².
β’ Western Patch: Smaller and more dispersed.
π4
πPersian Gulf
β The US President Donald Trump plans to officially rename the βPersian Gulfβ as the βArabian Gulfβ during a visit to Saudi Arabia, aligning with the preferences of Arab Gulf nations.
πGeographical Features of the Persian Gulf
β The Persian Gulf is a marginal sea of the Indian Ocean, located in Western Asia, and is a vital geopolitical chokepoint.
β It is connected to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Hormuz, one of the worldβs most strategic maritime passages for global oil shipment.
β The coastline stretches ~5,117 km, with Iran having the longest stretch (~1,536 km).
β It is bounded by:
π°North: Iran
π°Southwest: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE
π°Northwest: Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain
β Important Islands: Qeshm Island (Iran) is the Largest island in the Persian Gulf, with an area of ~1,491 kmΒ²βabout 2.5 times the size of Bahrain.
β Bahrain: A sovereign archipelago state, comprising over 50 islands, and a significant US naval base location.
#gs2
#prelims
#mapping
β The US President Donald Trump plans to officially rename the βPersian Gulfβ as the βArabian Gulfβ during a visit to Saudi Arabia, aligning with the preferences of Arab Gulf nations.
πGeographical Features of the Persian Gulf
β The Persian Gulf is a marginal sea of the Indian Ocean, located in Western Asia, and is a vital geopolitical chokepoint.
β It is connected to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Hormuz, one of the worldβs most strategic maritime passages for global oil shipment.
β The coastline stretches ~5,117 km, with Iran having the longest stretch (~1,536 km).
β It is bounded by:
π°North: Iran
π°Southwest: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE
π°Northwest: Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain
β Important Islands: Qeshm Island (Iran) is the Largest island in the Persian Gulf, with an area of ~1,491 kmΒ²βabout 2.5 times the size of Bahrain.
β Bahrain: A sovereign archipelago state, comprising over 50 islands, and a significant US naval base location.
#gs2
#prelims
#mapping
π19β€4
π Indian Passes & Plateaus
π Aghil Pass
β Location: Between Ladakh (J&K) and Sinkiang (China)
β Significance: Important for military movement, part of the Karakoram Range.
π Banihal Pass (Jawahar Tunnel)
β Location: Connects Banihal town (Doda District) and Qazigund (Anantnag, Kashmir Division)
β Significance: Key highway pass on NH44 connecting Jammu and Kashmir.
π Baralacha La
β Location: Between Keylong (Himachal Pradesh) and Leh (Ladakh)
β Significance: Located on the Leh-Manali highway, an important trade route.
π Burzil Pass
β Location: Connects Srinagar to Gilgit (now in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir)
β Significance: Historically significant for trade.
π Karakoram Pass
β Location: Between Ladakh (J&K) and Sinkiang (China)
β Significance: An ancient trade route on the Silk Road.
π Khardung La
β Location: Between Leh and Siachen Glacier via Nubra Valley
β Significance: One of the highest motorable roads in the world (5,359 m).
π Umling La (Uming La)
β Location: Ladakh
β Significance: Highest motorable road in the world at 5,883 m.
π Zoji La
β Location: Between Srinagar and Leh
β Significance: Important link between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, often blocked by snow.
π Chang La
β Location: Between Ladakh (J&K) and Tibet (China)
β Significance: One of the highest passes in the world.
π Shinkun La
β Location: Between Himachal Pradesh & Ladakh
β Significance: India has started construction of Nimmu-Padum-Darcha (NPD) route for all-weather connectivity to Ladakh.
π Balcha Dhura
β Location: Connecting Uttarakhand with Tibet (China)
β Significance: High-altitude pass in the Himalayas.
π Mana Pass
β Location: Between Uttarakhand and Tibet (China)
β Significance: Highest motorable pass in Uttarakhand, connects to Tibet.
π Aghil Pass
β Location: Between Ladakh (J&K) and Sinkiang (China)
β Significance: Important for military movement, part of the Karakoram Range.
π Banihal Pass (Jawahar Tunnel)
β Location: Connects Banihal town (Doda District) and Qazigund (Anantnag, Kashmir Division)
β Significance: Key highway pass on NH44 connecting Jammu and Kashmir.
π Baralacha La
β Location: Between Keylong (Himachal Pradesh) and Leh (Ladakh)
β Significance: Located on the Leh-Manali highway, an important trade route.
π Burzil Pass
β Location: Connects Srinagar to Gilgit (now in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir)
β Significance: Historically significant for trade.
π Karakoram Pass
β Location: Between Ladakh (J&K) and Sinkiang (China)
β Significance: An ancient trade route on the Silk Road.
π Khardung La
β Location: Between Leh and Siachen Glacier via Nubra Valley
β Significance: One of the highest motorable roads in the world (5,359 m).
π Umling La (Uming La)
β Location: Ladakh
β Significance: Highest motorable road in the world at 5,883 m.
π Zoji La
β Location: Between Srinagar and Leh
β Significance: Important link between Kashmir Valley and Ladakh, often blocked by snow.
π Chang La
β Location: Between Ladakh (J&K) and Tibet (China)
β Significance: One of the highest passes in the world.
π Shinkun La
β Location: Between Himachal Pradesh & Ladakh
β Significance: India has started construction of Nimmu-Padum-Darcha (NPD) route for all-weather connectivity to Ladakh.
π Balcha Dhura
β Location: Connecting Uttarakhand with Tibet (China)
β Significance: High-altitude pass in the Himalayas.
π Mana Pass
β Location: Between Uttarakhand and Tibet (China)
β Significance: Highest motorable pass in Uttarakhand, connects to Tibet.
π23β€4π1