Comprehensive Guide to Places in News for UPSC Prelims 2025

Hi guys, welcome welcome to Sudep was and I know that this was the most anticipated video from Sudep for my

students community. This will be the places in news of all the important locations of 2025 that you can expect in

the upcoming UPSC prelims exam. So make sure that you have an atlas with you. Make sure that you slow down the video.

Mark all the places as and when we discuss it is going to be very quick and swift. So please make sure that you

reduce the speed if needed. But it is very very important that you have an atlas and you keep marking the places as

in when we keep going through the different places around the world that has been in use in 2025. Now there was

one more video that I've done in 2024 covering all the places in news of that year. Please make sure that you watch

that video as well. that can be important for the upcoming prelims because UPSC will always ask the places

in news used in the last 3 years and it need not be always in the last 1 year. So please make sure that you watch that

video as well. All right, I am ready and I hope you people are ready and let's start off with the places in use of

2025. Let us now go one continent at a time and look at important places that have been in use and that you can expect

in the upcoming prelimin exam. So the first continent that we'll be looking at is Africa. Africa has been a very

important continent from the UPSC prelims exams perspective. So make sure that you try to understand and you try

to learn each and every place that has been in use. In Africa not only dynamic that is places in use but also the

static aspects of Africa is very important. What are the plateaus? What are the swams? What are the wetlands?

What are the deserts? What are some of the important mountains? All these things with respect to Africa should be

known to you. Okay. Now let us start off with Africa. So let us go one step at a time within Africa. The first aspect of

Africa that I want you to look is all the nations of Africa that have a border with Mediterranean Sea. Now if you look

at the atlas identify Egypt and from Egypt go in the way that I tell you. So if you observe Egypt from Egypt if you

go westwards you have Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. These are the nations that are known as

Mediterranean Africa. All these nations have been in use. They have been in use either for torrential rainfall or they

have been in use for fires, forest fires. So please make sure that these countries are very important. These are

the African countries that have a border in Mediterranean Sea. Now if you take amongst these countries, Morocco is in

use because of its lake. There's a lake called IQU and this lake IQ has been in use because due to torrential rainfall

this lake used to be dry but after 50 years this lake is filled. So due to rainfall this lake is filled. after 50

years and hence it has been in use. So Riku in Morocco is very very important. Please make a note of that. After this

now let us look at Saharan nations. Saharan nations have also been in use and they are very important. Look at

them first. The first is Sudan. From Sudan let us go westwards. So Sudan, Chad, Niger, Mali, Moritania and Western

Sahara. I'll repeat again. These are the Saharan nations. Sudan, Chad, Niger, Mali, Moritania and Western Sahara.

These are the Saharan nations. Amongst them the nations that are in use is one Sudan. In Sudan there's a place called

Darur. Darur is a region that is shared by Sudan as well as Chad. And in Darur there is a contest between two important

groups. One is Sudanis army and another is rapid support forces. These rapid support forces are rebellions who are

trying to fight for power within this Darur region. And one more important aspect is in the Darpur region there is

a militia that is known as Janjave militia. You should have this name barted. Make sure that you know that

Janjave militia is one of the militia within the Dharpur region. And the one place within the Darur in northern Darur

there's a capital called Alasare. This Alasare is also occupied by the militia and hence it has been in use. Apart from

that you should also know that this Darur region is dominated by a people called as Masalit people. These Masali

people are very dominant within the Darur group who are suffering because of this civilian fight that is happening

between the two groups. Apart from the Darur region, you also have Chad. The spillover effects of Sudan is going

towards Chad and hence Chad has been in news and also Chad is a country where the one of the rebel groups tried to

rush to the presidential palace to occupy for power and this was thwarted by the Chad army. So again Chad has been

used. There has been people who are attempting to rush to the presidential palace to try to occupy that for power.

This was thwarted by the army. Hence Chad has also been in use. Hence these are some Sahara nations that has been in

use. So please make a note of it. Now after looking at Mediterranean African nations and Saharan nations. The next is

West African nations. These nations have always been in use due to either humanitarian crisis, food shortages or

any type of military coups or civil wars that are happening. Also the monkey pox epidemics has been happening more

recently and it has been happening in this region. So hence this west African nations are very important from exams

perspective. So in your atlas look at the west African nations. Look at a country called Gabon and from there we

will go to the west and look at all the West African nations. So identify Gabon and start going northwards and then

northwest. Follow the countries the way I tell you. Look at Gabon then look at Equatorial Guinea. Then look at Cameroon

and then look at Nigeria. Nigeria the problem is there's a problem of Boo Haram. Boo Haram is an again a rebel

group that is creating a lot of awok and violence within Nigeria. Okay. So again Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon,

Nigeria. After that you have Benin, Togo, Ghana, Ivory Coast and Burkinaaso. Again this region is a center of

epidemics. So you should be very careful. After this the next group of countries are Liberia, Sierra Leon,

Guinea, Guinea Bisau, Seneagal and Gambia. So overall these are the nations. Again within these nations

Liberia, Monroia is the capital of Liberia. Monroia faced flash floods and because Monroia faced a flash floods

there the nation wants to change the capital or replace the capital from Monroia to another place. So that is

another issue that is happening. Overall if you look at these places the most important aspect is this is the epidemic

zone of the monkey pox. Hence these countries becomes very important. So understand which are the West African

nations and what is the special sense of these nations. The next is East African nations. Look at them. It includes

Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and Mozambi. Why am I focusing on this is because of two important lakes. The two lakes are one

lake Naasha. Lake Naasha is in Kenya and this lake Naasha is facing immense problems of invasive species. The

invasive species here is waterins. This invasive species has completely took control of the entire wetland and now

the entire wetland is filled with this invasive species called water asinth. And now one more interesting factor is

lake Naywasha is situated over Hell'sgate National Park. Again keep in mind Hell'sgate National Park is where

you find Lake Naywasha. Apart from this there is one more important lake in the East African region that is Lake Natron.

Now Lake Natron is very very special because there's a saying that any animal that drinks water from Lake Natron will

turn into a stone. So this lake is very famously called as a lake that will turn animals into stone. In reality it does

not. The lake has very high alkalinity. So when animals go and try to drink water from it, the animals die. When the

animals die, their entire bones will get calcified and hence it will give the perception of a stone. That's why they

call this lake as a lake where animals drink to become stone. Anyways, Lake Natron is in use because it is suffering

from very high toxicity and the very high toxicity is again creating a lot of endurance to this lake and the flamingos

that come in this lake. Now one more aspect is Lake Natron comes at the border between the two nations of

Tanzania and Kenya. But overall if you take the sovereignty of Lake Natron is with Tanzania. All right. So again these

two lakes are very important. Now if you're listening carefully identify all the important lakes of Africa it is very

important especially East Africa and please put in the comment section what are the great lakes of Africa. What are

the great lakes of Africa? Please put in the comment section if you're really sincere. Let us see how sincere you are.

The next is central African nations. So in central African nations we have already spoken last time about this

country but let us again revisit it because there is some extra information that I have to give. Now look at

Democratic Republic of Congo. From Democratic Republic of Congo identify Uganda. From there let us go in

clockwise direction and identify the eight countries that border the Democratic Republic of Congo. The eight

countries are as follows. One you have Uganda. Then you have Randa. Then you have Burundi. Then you have Zambia. Then

you have Angola. Then you have the Congo. Then you have the Central African Republic and South Sudan. Let me repeat

the eight nations one once again for you. You have Uganda, Rwanda, Bundi, Angola, I'm sorry, Zambia, Angola, then

you have the Congo, then you have the Central African Republic and South Sudan. So these are the nations

bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo. But what is very important is Democratic Republic of Congo is in

conflict with Randa. Now this is a clash between Houthi tribe and Totsi tribe. Now Randa has a rebel group called M23.

This M23 is backed by Tootszie tribe. And this M23 has been invading and creating conflicts in the eastern part

of Democratic Republic of Congo. And this M23 is able to capture two important cities in the Democratic

Republic of Congo. And those cities are GMA and Bakau. Very very important places. So please mark them carefully.

Apart from GMA and Bakau, recently they also captured a mining area that is known as Rubaya mining area. Now this

rubaya mining area is very very critical and strategic because you get a ore called colan in rubaya mining area. This

ore called colan is very important because two important minerals are extracted from colultan ore and the

minerals are neobium and tantelum. These are the two important ores that you get. So it is very strategic that is M23

people have occupied this riba mining area especially in the democratic republic of Congo. Apart from this,

Veranda is in use because there was a treaty between Vanda and United Kingdom. So that they had to transfer the asylums

and illegal immigrants from United Kingdom to Rhonda. Now this outsourcing was canceled because it was injustice

and it was against the human rights violations. Hence they have canled this. So hence Randa was also in use. So make

sure that you have a proper idea of all these nations. The next African part that you have to see is the southern

African part. In the southern African part some of the important nations are Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and South

Africa. Now inside South Africa you have enclaves of nations which are known as Leoto and Swaziland. Please look at

them. Amongst Loto and Swaziland one nation that was in use that is called as the kingdom country was the Leoto. Leoto

is over Maloti mountains and Leoto is between the Densburg plateau that is there in South Africa and Leoto. Now

Leoto was in news because it is suffering from food shortages and it was the Indian government that sent food for

this kingdom country. Hence Leoto is in use. Again orange river which is also known as sinq river flows through this

lesoto. So please have a very good idea where drakensburg plago is and where is this orange river and how does it flow

that is very very important and lessto is in use. Apart from this there is something called Babelton greenstone

belt that was in use mainly because of the phosphorus mining that is happening in that particular zone creating

environmental concerns. Now the phosphorus deposits in this babberstone green belt came from a meteorite. When

the meteorite hit that babberstone region it infused the phosphorus in that region and hence that region is rich in

phosphorus. So the mining of phosphorus is something that is creating environmental concerns and hence it was

in use. Again the babberstone greenstone belt is very very famous for an ultraafic rock called kiotites. That

comeotidites come from a lake comei that is there there. Comotes is a very very important ignous ultrafic rock that you

find in this babberstone greenstone belt. It is the oldest rock that you can find on earth. Again these two places

are there in the southern African regions. Apart from this I think most of the places have been covered in the

previous video also. Please go there look at those regions that are there in conflicts in Africa in the 2024 video as

well. From that 2024 2025 all the important places of Africa has been covered and I hope you people have

marked it and make sure that you repeat and revise many number of times so that you develop the spatial sense of

important places in Africa. After Africa now let us look at Eastern Europe. Eastern Europe has been the epicenter of

different international issues that are happening and hence many places are in news in Eastern Europe. So collect as

much places as possible. Okay. In Eastern Europe, some of the important places that you'd have in your mind is

the sea of Azaw, the Black Sea, the sea of Marmar, the Adriatic Sea, the Aian Sea. These are some of the important

seas. Apart from this, some important straits that you should know is straight of Kirch, Dardinal Strait and Bosphorus

Strait. These are three important straits that you should know. Apart from that, the countries surrounding the

Adriatic Sea has been in use. So, please know what are the countries surrounding the Adriatic Sea. You have Greece,

Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia, Ziggoina, Slovenia and Croatia. Okay, these are the countries that are bordering the

Adriatic Sea. Now within them, Albania has been used because they want to create a micro state inside Albania in

the same manner as Vatican. They want to also create a micro state inside Albania. And this micro state want that

they want to create inside the Albania. That is for Betakshi Sufi order. So for this betaki Sufi order they want to

create a micro state inside Albinia. Hence it has been in use. So make sure that you get an idea of that. Apart from

that you have Santorini islands. The Centtorini islands are in AGNC. Why are they in use is because of volcanic

eruptions that are happening within Centtorini Island. The Centtorini island comes in something called Elenic Ark.

You remember Elenistic. So Elenic arc is an arc along the Mediterranean Sea where all the island nations will experience

volcanic eruptions. So it is a volcanic arc. Again I'll say elenic arc. So center in the island comes over elenic

arc and it is experiencing volcanic eruptions and hence it has been in news. Apart from that north Macedonia was in

news. North Macedonia is trying to acid to European Union and hence it has been in news continuously because there is

some issues happening with respect to the demands of European Union that they have to recognize the rights of

Bulgarian minority in North Macedonia. That is why that issue is happening but North Macedonia has been in news. So you

should know about it. Apart from that there is one lake which is surrounded by Albania, North Macedonia and Greece.

This lake is known as Lake Prespa. Lake Prespa is between the trijunction of Albania, Macedonia and Greece and it has

been in use because there is drastic drop in the water levels in Lake Prespa. So know this lake also. The other place

in Eastern Europe that has been in use obviously is Ukraine. So many places in Ukraine are important. So you should

have a good idea about Ukraine and different places that are in use. So in Ukraine the most famous place is

Zeporosia. Zaposia is the largest European nuclear facility that is there in Ukraine that is now under the control

of Russia and hence it becomes important. Apart from this nuclear facility other nuclear facilities that

are there here are Riven and Clemetski. So Riven and Clemensky are also important because they are also nuclear

facilities in Europe. The apart from this in Ukraine itself two important ports are important. Odessa port is the

port that is there in Black Sea that is very very important. Apart from that, Moropole is a port that is a gateway to

sea of Azawo. So, make sure that you understand what is sea of Azawa. And the gateway to sea of Azo is a port called

Moropole. That again is important. Now, when I talk about sea of Azawa, one important straight is the straight of

Kirch. Straight of Kch is in use because there is a bridge built by Russia to connect the straight of Kch connecting

the two lands of Crimea Peninsula with Russia. But the Ukraine as a retaliatory measure has tried to bomb this bridge

and hence straight of Kch has been in use. So make sure that you understand sea of black sea and straight of kush

connecting these two water bodies. Again this has been in use. Apart from that make sure that you understand the neper

river. Neper river is very very important because it flows through k which is Ukrainian capital. Apart from

that it flows through zaposia and one more very famous place that is keron. So these are the three places where river

flows. Apart from that Danub river is also very important. Danube river is a river very important in East Africa

because I'm sorry Eastern Europe because it flows across 10 countries. So know what are all the countries it flows and

also know what are all the capitals through which Denub River flows. Finally the Deno river will reach the ocean

through a nation called Romania. So its mouth the river mouth of Denub is in Romania and its delta has three

important distributies and one important distribuary within the delta of Denob is Solina. So Solina channel is very very

important. So make sure that you also look at Solina channel. So Neper and Daloo are two important rivers that you

should know in Eastern Europe. Apart from these places in Ukraine that have been in use is three places. One is

Luhansk, another is Donetsk. Luhansk and Donetsk have been declared as republics by the Russian government. Hence it is

now belonging to Russia is what they are claiming. Apart from this one more important place that has been in news is

Bakmoot. Bachmut is where the famous Wagner incident has happened. The Wagner group started it journey from this

Bakmut and hence Bakmut was also in use. So these three places Luhans, Donetsk and Bakmut are important. So know these

places as well. So this completes all the places of Ukraine. Now let us go to one more part within Eastern Europe that

is very very important and these are Caucasus countries. Identify Cauus mountains. You can find Caucasus

mountains south of Ural mountains and the Cauus mountain has three countries within them. The Caucasus mountain as

Georgia, Armenia and Azarbaijan. Now how to find them out is if this is the cauus mountain on one side you have black sea

on the other side you have Caspian sea so between black sea and Caspian sea you have a mountain that is known as cauus

mountain and that caucuses mountain has three countries again I'm repeating Georgia on the black seaside middle is

the Armenia and on the Caspian seaside is Azarbaijan now within Azarbaijan and Armenia there is a conflict between a

place called Norno Korobach which I covered in the previous video so that is one thing that is there now if you take

the caucuses countries North of Caucus' countries is Russia. So there is a constant tussle between Russia and the

caucuses countries and hence some places are in use which you should know. Now few things that you should know is one

is Dagasthan. Dagistan as you can see in the map it is a part of Russia. This is where the people ethnic group called

ours are fighting for independence and hence it has been in use. Apart from that there is Cheschna. This Chachchna

is always been in use because it is also fighting for independence from Russia. Hence Chetchna is also very very

important. Apart from that observe two important provinces. One is North Oitia and South Oitia. North Oitia is in

Russia. South Oia is in Georgia. Now Russia is claiming the South Oia. And hence there's a conflict that is going

on between Russia and Georgia for claiming that province of South Oia. So Cheschna, South Oia, North Oia and

Dalistan these are the four important provinces that are very much important in news and hence it becomes very

important. Apart from this there is one more province that I forgot to tell you. Now I'm going to tell. Usually provinces

or states in Russia is known as Oblast. OB B L A S T. Oblast. Okay. Very important oblash or state that was in

use of Russia is Kusk Oblast. The Kusk Oblast. There's a city called Sudza city. S U D Z A that Sudza city was

bombed by Ukraine. And when Sudza city was bombed by Ukraine, a counter retaliatory bombing was done on Sunumi

city in Ukraine. So Sudza city in Russia, Sunumi city in Ukraine. These are the two centers where bombings were

done by the Russia and Ukraine counter retaliatory. Okay. So I hope you understand the Sudza city that is there

in Kur's oblast underwent bombings from Ukraine and as a retaliatory measure the Russian forces bombed the Sunumi city.

Both these cities are next to one another where very very important and very very populated. Hence that was a

very humanitarian crisis to see such bombing happening. After Eastern Europe let us now move into the West Asia. West

Asia has always been the favorite of UPSC. So you should have a very good knowledge of the places in news in West

Asia. Now before we get into the specific places, few things that are very important is the Mediterranean

nations of West Asia are very important. Look at the Mediterranean nations of West Asia. They are if you look at

Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Gaza. I'll repeat again, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Gaza. These are

important Mediterranean nations of West Asia. Now many places within this Mediterranean nations itself are in use.

For example, Golan Heights. Golan Heights comes at the junction of four important nations. You have Israel,

Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. So these are the four nations that will cover the Golan Heights. However, during the 1967

6 day war, it was Israel which occupied this Golan Heights. So currently it is under the occupation of Israel. But

within Golan Heights, there is one more place that is in use and that is known as Sheibba farms. Now the sheibba farms

is claimed by Syria and Lebanon from Israel. So there is a constant tussle that is happening between the three

countries of Israel, Syria and Lebanon to claim the Sheibba farms within the Golan Heites. Apart from this, Lebanon

has been used because of the bombings by Israel to destroy the Esbola network within the Lebanon. Several cities

within Lebanon has been bombed and few cities that are there in news are as follows. One is Balbik, Sidon, Ty,

Ginger, Bea Valley. I'll repeat again. Balik, Sidon, Ty, Gingerel and Bea Valley. These are five important places

which was bombed by Israel in order to destroy the network of Esbola. Hence, it becomes very important. Apart from this,

the Gaza Strip. See when I say Gaza Strip, it is part of Palestine. When I say Palestine, you're looking at the

map. Palestine includes two enclaves that is West Bank as well as Gaza. Now, West Bank is to the east of Israel. Gaza

is to the west of Israel. And as you can see Gaza as the coast along Mediterranean. Now West Bank is actually

to the east of Israel and it is called West Bank because it is to the west of Jordan River. And Gaza as you can see

the Gaza city is the important city in Gaza. And the second important city is Khan Ununice. And Gaza city has

constantly been bombed by the Israelis due to the you know recent attack by the Gaza group called Amas. Anyways now

within Gaza city few important places that are very important is one is Nadzarim corridor and Philadelphia

corridor. Look at them carefully. They can ask you which direction these are or what are they bordering. Philadelphia

corridor borders Egypt. Nadarim corridor is in the north and it is bordering with Israel. Apart from this two important

crossings that are very important is Rafa crossing and you also have Eis crossing. Okay. Are crossing in the

north. Rafa crossing in the south. Another important crossing is Ken Shalom crossing. This Kim Shalom crossing is

important for humanitarian assistance. These were the crossings where the innocent civilians had to be evacuated

so that they not killed through bombings. So these are few places in Gaza that have been in use. Overall you

understood Palestine and Gaza and what are the places within Gaza that are in use. One more aspect I forgot about

Lebanon is Lebanon and Israel do not have a proper boundary. The border is created by United Nations by a line that

is known as blue line frontier. So that is another important aspect that you should understand. Another important

nation that has been in use from East Asia is Syria. Many places in Syria were bombed by Israel. So again this is

becoming very important. So within Syria there are few places that are very important. So understand these cities

they are very very important. The first is Aleppo, Raqqa, Hal Asaka, Palmira Hama Hams Tartus Jablé and Latakia. I'll

repeat again. You have Aleppo, Raqqa, Hal Asaka, Palmira, Amma, Hams, Titus, Jablé and Latakia. These are some

important cities that are there within Syria that are very very important. Apart from this, you have Rukban camp.

Rukban camp is a camp along the border of Syria and Jordan. All the people who are displaced from Syria are actually

pushed into this Ruban camp and this Rukban camp is now fully filled. And that is one more issue that is happening

along the borders of Jordan and Syria. So Syria also becomes important. So please know these places very well.

Another important place in West Asia is a lake in Turkey. That lake's name is Sapanka. Sapanka lake has been in use

because the water levels in the lake has dropped to such low levels that all the ancient remains that was there in the

lake bed are now exposed. So hence lake Sapanka is in in use. So understand Lake Sapanka. Apart from that you also have

Lake Van which is the saltiest lake in the world and hence lake van is also important. So lake van and lake sapanka

were in news in Turkey that is again very important of this one other place in Saudi Arabia that has also been in

use is Aljafa. Aljafa is a place in Saudi Arabia almost near the border with Jordan and this Al Jafa is in news

because it is a desert that has for the first time experienced snowfall. Again this is very very important. Hence it

has been in use again Hal Jaffa. Apart from that if you go to Iran you also have a place called Ilam and Kazan. This

Ilam and Kazan are two important provinces inside Iran that underwent bombings from Israel. So Ilam and Kazan

avenues. Again it is very very important. The last important place in West Asia is the Baraka nuclear energy

plant. This Baraka nuclear energy plant is the first operational nuclear energy plant that is opened in UAE. Hence it

becomes very important. Now when I say EUA, it becomes very important for you to also learn the countries that are

bordering the Persian Gulf. The countries that are bordering the Gulf of Oman. Also observe the straight of

Armos. The countries bordering the straight of Armos. It is definitely not UAE. It is actually Oman and Iran.

Observe carefully. Okay. Straight of Armus, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman and one more Gulf that becomes very

important. Gulf of Aquaba. Make sure that what are the countries in Gulf of Aqua Aquaba because these countries are

always in news. So these are some important static places also that you should have an idea about. So I hope

I've covered all the countries of West Asia and you got the spatial sense of all the countries in use from West Asia.

After looking at Africa, Eastern Europe and West Asia, the next important part that we'll go to is Oceanania. Oceanania

is also important because several places have been in news and look at it very carefully. From a normal men's

perspective, we always think Oceanania is Australia, but it is not. So when I look at Oceanania, look at Australia and

New Zealand. And apart from this there are three important ethnographical groupings in Oceanania that is very very

important and that is Melania, Micronia and Polynesia. Melania, Micronia and Polynesia are segregated or classified

on the basis of racial population that is there within them. Some are independent nations. Some are still

under the colonial control. For example, if you take New Calonia, it is still under the control of France. So overall

this Melanesia, Micronia and Polynesia are group of islands in South Pacific that can be either volcanic island or it

can be coral island. Which is volcanic and which is coral you will be finding it out and you'll be putting it in the

comment section. My job is to tell what are all the islands in which groupings they come and why are they in news.

Okay. So let us start off first. Let us look at Melania. Look at Melania. Very interesting grouping of countries. You

have Fiji, you have Papua Nuguni, you have Solomon Islands, then you have 102 and then you have New Calonia. Let me

repeat the islands of Melanesia. It is Fiji, Papua New Guuni and then you have Solomon Islands, 102 and New Calonia.

Now these islands are highly vulnerable to climate change because they are located very close to the sea level and

even a little rise in the sea level will result in drastic subsidance of these islands inside the sea level and

sinking. Hence they are very very crucial to make sure that we mitigate the effects of climate change. One

important place within Malaysia was 102. 102 was in news because one individual called Lalit Modi had applied for you

know citizenship in 102. Him being a fugitive economic offender. That citizenship got rejected. So 102 is in

new sentence. It is important. The next is New Calonia. In New Calonia there is a revolt that is happening from Kuck

people. Kuck people are people within New Calonia. They are demanding for independence from French colonial

control and that is why New Calonia is also very important and after Melanesia comes Micronia. Within Micronia there

are three important groups of islands. One is Naro. Naro is important because it is the third smallest nation in the

world. Hence Naro was in use. The next is Palao. P A L AU. Palao is there. Then you have federal states of Micronia. All

these nations are suffering from climate change. All these nations are also suffering from the influence of China

into these islands. and hence Australia is feeling threatened by the influence or interference of China into these

islands. The next is Polynia. In Polynia, a few important islands are the Samoa islands, the Tonga Islands, the

Cook Islands and the Awan Islands. Now, the Cook Islands has been in use because they have signed a agreement with China

for assistance and hence Cook Islands have also been in use. So, make sure that you understand these islands. So

I've told you the different islands within the enogeeographical groupings of Melanesia, Micronia and Polynesia. Very

high probability that one of the question can come on this particular area because up to this point UPSC has

not focused on these parts of the island. So make sure that you practice it. Apart from this, Mount Tanaki has

been in use. Mount Taranaki has been in use because of volcanic eruptions that are happening in the northern islands of

New Zealand. And hence you should understand this mount Tanaki. Mount Tanaki is a sacred place for a very very

famous tribe that everyone knows that is Moari tribe. Their war cry is something that is very very important across

YouTube. This is the sacred place called Mount Tanaki which according to many geologists is set to erupt in the

upcoming years which is ready to erupt and hence it has been in news. Apart from this we know that two important

places for corals that is important in Pacific is the coral triangle and the great barrier reef. The coral triangle

is a triangle that covers the following countries. The countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Solomon Islands,

Papuan Bunia and Timor Lee or East Timor. They can call it either ways. Overall, coral triangle covers all these

nations and it has a bunch of coral islands that are very very important. Apart from this, Great Barrier Reef is

present to the northeastern part of Australia and there is an island there called Lizard Island. That lizard island

in the great barrier reef has undergone the worst coral bleaching in the history of earth. That is another unfortunate

event and ends lizard island was in use. Don't get confused with snake island. Snake island is in black sea. Lizard

island is in the great barrier reef of Australia. So this were some of the important places that are in use in

Oceanania. After looking at Oceanania, let us look at one more very important segment or part of the earth that has

been neglected and that is Central American nations and Caribbean islands. Both these groups or sections are very

very important from exams perspective. So look carefully. First look at the Central American nations. When I say

Central American nations, these are the following nations. Go in the order that I am going to tell you right now. One is

Bellis. The second is Guatemala. The third is Honduras. The fourth is El Salvador. Then you have Nicaragua, Costa

Rica and Panama. Let me repeat them once again. The Central American nations are you have Bellis, you have Guatemala, you

have Honduras, you have El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Now as you see Panama will connect to South

American nation called Colombia. And in Panama two important obviously everyone knows about Panama Canal. Within the

Panama Canal there are two important ports on either side of the Panama Canal. The two important ports are

Crystalall port on the side of Atlantic and then Baloa port on the side of Pacific. I'll report I will again repeat

it. The Crystalall port on the side of Atlantic and the Baloa port on the side of Pacific. Panama has been used because

of Donald Trump who has been bringing it up many number of times. Hence Panama Canal becomes important. Now within the

Panama Canal there is a lake that is an artificially made reservoir called Lake Gheton. This lake Gheton is very

important because it acts as a balancing reservoir for controlling the supply of water inside the Panama Canal. There has

been drastic drop in the levels of water of Lake Gheton and that is why this has been in use. So Lake Gheton, Crystalal

port and Baloa port these are the three important places that are in use in Panama. Apart from that, if you take the

Central American nations, again, another nation that has been in use is El Salvador. El Salvador is in use because

there has been a prisoner swap agreement between Venezuela and El Salvador. So, they are swapping their prisoners who

are there on either side of the border. Apart from this, El Salvador has also been in use because Donald Trump has

been telling that all the illegal criminal immigrants that are there in America has to be transferred from the

American prisons to El Salvador prisons and for that El Salvador has been also in news. Apart from this, there has been

a lot of criminal activities that happens within the Central American nations. So all the nations are

important from exams perspective. So please understand them. Now if you look at the Caribbean islands, some important

islands within the Caribbean that are important is one you have Cuba, then you have Jamaica, then you have Heiti, then

you have Dominican Republic, then you have Puerto Rico, the Bahamas and Trinidad and Tobago. These are some

important islands within the Caribbean, you know, group of islands. And now within them the ones that are there in

use is Trinidad and Tobago. Trinidad and Tobago the government has declared a state of emergency due to the intense

criminal activity that is happening there. That is one. The next nation is Heiti. It is in use because there has

been very high criminal activity and violence happening such that Indian government had to undertake an operation

called operation Indraati to evacuate all the Indian citizens from it and make them you know settle in Dominican

Republic. Again he is in news. Apart from that, these are very very important nations which are a group of coral

islands that are very very important from your exams perspective. After looking at the Central American nations

and Caribbean islands, now let us move into Southeast Asian nations. Before I get into the specific places, let me

first tell you what are all the nations of Southeast Asia. Southeast Asia can be divided into two parts. One is island,

Southeast Asia, mainland Southeast Asia. Look at the mainland Southeast Asia. It includes five countries. Myanmar,

Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam together are what are known as

mainland Southeast Asian nations. Apart from that you have island Southeast Asian nations. They are six nations.

Look at them carefully. You have Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunai and East Timore or

Timor Lee. They can call it either ways. So these 11 nations are part of what you call as ACRN nations that is association

of Southeast Asian nations. Overall this is what is Southeast Asian nations. Now within them identify Gulf of Thailand

and please put in the comment section what are all the countries that are bordering Gulf of Thailand. Why am I

talking about Gulf of Thailand is because within the Gulf of Thailand in Cambodia there's a naval base called RE

Naval Base. This RE naval base is in news because a joint agreement has been signed to open this naval base by

Cambodia as well as China. Apart from this identify Borneo islands. Borneo islands is an islands that has three

nations within them. One is Malaysia. The second is Indonesia and the third is a very very small island called Brunai.

Brunai is important because after several years our prime minister had visited Brunai. Hence Brunai is in news.

Bukit Pagon is the highest peak of Brunai. Hence the Bukit Pagon becomes very important. Look at it and identify

them. The next place that is important is Gulf of Tonkin. Gulf of Tonkin has been in news because it has been a

conflict between Vietnam and China and in the new map published by Vietnam that included Gulf of Tonkin to be part of

Vietnam which irked or which irritated China and there has been a conflict between them. Gulf of Tonkin again very

important. We know that South China Sea is a constant battlefield between the all the literal countries of South China

with China. So what are all the important highlands that are there in news along the straight of Taiwan? These

are the important highlands. The first is Dong Yin Island. The second is Matsu Island. The third is Wukui Island. And

the fourth is Kinman Island. Let me repeat them. The first is Dongin Island. The next is Matsu Highland, Wui Island

and Kinman Islands. These are the four islands that have been in use because of the conflict between Taiwan as well as

China. Apart from this you already have heard of three important islands that are very very much heard in news and

that is the parasel islands the spartley islands and the scalboroough shawl. Now within the parasel islands one part of

the parasel island is known as tritton islands. Triton island was in use because the Chinese government installed

advanced radar system in the islands. Hence it is also in use. So please make sure that you mark all these islands.

After looking at Southeast Asia, now let us move into South Asia. In South Asia, some important places are one paleoa.

Palatoa is a province in Myanmar that is controlled by Arakan army. Why is palewa important is India's Kaladan multimodal

project included connecting the Kolkata port with Sithway port and from Sithway port you go into Paletwa in Myanmar and

from Paletwa you go into Misoram that was the connectivity project in order to connect mainland India with northeast

India. But now this Kaladan multimodal project is stalled because Palwa has now got into a ethnic rebel group that is

Arakan army and hence paletwa is a region that is very important in Myanmar from exam's perspective. Apart from that

now let us go to Afghanistan. In Afghanistan one region that is very very important is Elund province. Elund

province in Afghanistan is facing a lot of floods because of recurrent rainfall. Elund river that come from Sistan plains

in Iran to Elund in Afghanistan that again is bringing a lot of water due to torrential rainfall. Remember Sistan

province in Iran is again very important because Sistan province in Iran and Baluchistan province in Pakistan. These

two provinces are constantly in tussle with one another. There is also the tussle for managing water between these

provinces such that they call this conflict between the two provinces as the uprising of the thirsty. So remember

uprising of the thirsty between Sistan of Iran and Baloistthan of Pakistan there has been a constant tussle. So

element province of Afghanistan apart from that Sistan province of Iran and Balojasthan power province of Pakistan.

These are three areas where very very important in news. So make sure that you mark that. One more place that has been

in news is Turkam. Toram is a place in Pakistan that borders Pakistan and Afghanistan. That was a very crucial

place that was open for trade between Afghanistan and Pakistan. And Pakistan has now closed the border due to the

conflict from Taliban. And in Turkham border is very very important. Apart from South Asia, another important

continent is North America. That becomes very important. Now when you take North America, one is California has been in

use because of the California wildfires. There are five burst of wildfires that have been given different names. The

five names are as follows as you're seeing in the screen. The one is Pilasadis, another is another is Sunset,

another is Lydia. So these are different names given to the bush fires that are happened within California. So that is

one. The next is the bad water basin in the Mojave Desert of the death valley. I'll again tell you the bad water basin

in Mojave desert in death valley. This also for the very first time it's a desert. It is completely dry because of

torrential rainfall. This entire bad water basin was filled and it became a lake after several years and hence it

has been in use. Apart from that identify the great lakes of America. The great lakes of America has been in use.

So please identify the great lakes of America in which order they fall and what are the important cities that are

there in the great lakes of America. So guys, I've completed almost all the important places in news in 2025. Please

integrate the places in news in 2025 with the 2024 places in news that I've done previously so that you get a proper

idea of all the important places. Understand that places in news is very important for clearing prelims because

at least six questions that means 10 to 12 marks will be there on places in news and to crack prelims you have to get at

least 80 to 90% right amongst the questions that come from places in use. So practice them repeat the video as

many number of times. Make sure that you mark it in your atlas and make sure that you keep going through the atlas every

day so that you get those marks bullseye. Now please one request is to share this video with as many people as

possible because that will incentivize me to do such videos on regular basis that will always be of the highest

standards and highest quality to my student community. Thank you so much for all the love and support. Please don't

forget to comment. Please don't forget to share guys. Thank you so much. I'll see you again. Good luck. Bye.