PLACES IN NEWS 25th SEPTEMBER 2025

1. Peru

A magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck the coast of southern Peru, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 40 km, indicating a moderately deep seismic event.
Peru is located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, a highly seismic region prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.
Such events are significant for disaster preparedness, infrastructure planning, and public safety measures.

Location and Borders:
1. Peru is located on the western coast of South America, just south of the Equator, lying in both the western and southern hemispheres.
2. It shares borders with Ecuador and Colombia to the north, Brazil to the east, Bolivia to the southeast, and Chile to the south.
3. Its western border meets the Pacific Ocean.
Geographic Regions: Peru has a diverse geography divided into three main regions:
1. Costa (Coastal Region):
  1. A narrow desert plain stretching from north to south, covering around 12% of Peru’s area.
  2. Despite its arid landscape, river valleys support significant agriculture.
2. Sierra (Highlands):
  1. The Andean highlands, running parallel to the Costa, cover 28% of the country.
  2. Characterized by high plateaus, deep valleys, and the Andes Mountains, including Huascarán, Peru’s highest peak.

Lake Titicaca, the world’s highest navigable lake at 3,812 meters, is located here and shared with Bolivia.

Selva (Jungle Region):
1. Covering over 60% of Peru, this region encompasses the Amazon Rainforest and the Amazon River, flowing from the Andes to the Atlantic.
2. The Selva features dense rainforests, wetlands, river cliffs, and immense biodiversity.
Islands: Peru has several coastal and lake islands:
1. Coastal: Ballestas Islands (rich marine life), San Lorenzo Island (largest coastal island).
2. Lake Titicaca: Uros Islands (man-made from reeds), Taquile Island.
Administrative Divisions: Peru is divided into 25 regions and 1 province.
Size and Ranking: Peru is South America’s 3rd largest country and the 19th largest in the world.
Capital and Major City:
1. Lima, located on the Pacific coast, is the capital, largest, and most populous city of Peru.
2. It is also the 4th largest city in South America and the 2nd largest in the Americas, serving as the administrative, cultural, educational, commercial, and economic hub of the nation.

The 13th meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments was held in Abu Dhabi, co-chaired by representatives from both countries to strengthen economic and investment ties.
The forum reviewed progress under the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has boosted bilateral trade and investment flows.
Key discussions included joint investment projects, sectoral cooperation in maritime and space, and integration of payment systems, including potential use of local currencies and central bank digital currencies.
The Task Force acts as a mechanism to resolve investor issues, promote private-sector collaboration, and deepen the strategic economic partnership between India and the UAE.

Political Features:
1. The UAE is a federation of seven emirates, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Sharjah.
2. It shares land borders with Saudi Arabia (west and south) and Oman (southeast).
3. It has maritime boundaries along the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.
Geographical Features:
1. Located on the eastern Arabian Peninsula, the UAE is mostly desert with no perennial rivers.
2. It has a strategic location along the Strait of Hormuz, a key transit point for global crude oil shipments.
3. The Tropic of Cancer passes through Abu Dhabi
4. The highest point is Jebel Jais in the eastern mountains.
Climate:
1. The country experiences a desert climate, hot and humid summers with warm, sunny winters.
2. The eastern mountainous regions are comparatively cooler.