PLACES IN NEWS 18th SEPTEMBER 2025

1. Arctic Sea

Why in the News?

1. The Arctic Sea ice is melting rapidly due to rising global temperatures, reaching record lows in recent years.
2. Melting ice is affecting global weather patterns, including monsoons and rainfall variability in regions like India.
3. Changes in the Arctic are being studied for their impact on sea levels, ocean currents, and extreme climate events worldwide.

About Arctic Region

1. The Arctic is a geographic region surrounding the North Pole.
2. It includes the northern parts of Canada, the United States (Alaska), Russia, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Greenland.
3. The Arctic Ocean lies at its center.
4. The Arctic Circle (66°33’N) roughly marks the boundary of the Arctic based on solar radiation and daylight patterns.
5. Geography and Climate
   1. The region mainly consists of flat tundras with some mountainous areas.
   2. Much of the ground is permanently frozen (permafrost), with only the surface thawing in summer.
   3. Greenland is largely covered by a permanent ice sheet.
   4. Daylight: The North Pole experiences six months of darkness and six months of daylight, while areas farther south have shorter extremes.
   5. Temperature: Winters are extremely cold (up to −68°C inland), while summers are mild (around 10°C).
   6. Coastal regions receive heavier snowfall compared to inland areas.
6. Flora and Fauna
   1. Plants: Trees are scarce, limited to southern Arctic regions; tundras support lichens, mosses, grasses, and small flowering plants.
   2. Animals: Includes polar bears, caribou, Arctic foxes, Arctic hares, gray wolves, seals, walruses, whales, and many fish species.
   3. Birds: Some, like the snowy owl, stay year-round, while many migrate in summer.
7. Human Presence
   1. Indigenous Peoples: Groups like the Nenets, Sakha, Evenk, Chukchi, Sami, Inuit, and Aleuts traditionally inhabit the region in small settlements, often practicing reindeer herding, hunting, and fishing.
   2. Settlers: Industrial activities like mining and oil drilling in the 20th century brought European settlers, leading to larger towns and resource-based communities.

2. Mediterranean Sea

Why in the News?

1. The Mediterranean Sea region is the origin of western disturbances, which influence rainfall in northern India.
2. Changes in the Mediterranean climate and temperature can affect the frequency and intensity of storms reaching India.
3. It is strategically important for monitoring climate patterns and weather systems that impact agriculture and water resources in Asia.

About Mediterranean Sea

1. Location
   1. The Mediterranean Sea is an intercontinental sea, bordered by Europe (north), Asia (east), and Africa (south).
   2. It connects to the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar in the west.
   3. In the northeast, it connects to the Black Sea via the Dardanelles Strait, Sea of Marmara, and Bosporus Strait.
   4. In the southeast, it connects to the Red Sea through the Suez Canal.
2. Historical Significance
   1. The Mediterranean has been the cradle of Western civilization.
   2. Ancient civilizations like the Phoenicians, Greeks, and Romans flourished along its coasts.
   3. It played a central role in trade, culture, and maritime exploration for centuries.
3. Bordering Countries and Geography
   1. Europe: Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, Greece.
   2. West Asia/Middle East: Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine (Gaza), Cyprus.
   3. North Africa: Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt.
   4. Coastline stretches approximately 46,000 km, including 15 marginal seas such as the Adriatic, Balearic, Levantine, and Ionian Seas.
   5. Average depth is about 1,500 m, with the Calypso Deep (Ionian Sea) reaching 5,267 m.
4. Rivers and Islands
   1. Major rivers draining into the Mediterranean include Ebro, Rhone, Po, Nile, and Tiber.
   2. Large islands include Sicily (largest), Corsica, Crete, Cyprus, Mallorca, Rhodes, Sardinia, Lesbos, Chios, Euboea.
5. Climate and Oceanography
   1. The region has a Mediterranean climate: mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers.
   2. Mediterranean waters are more saline than the Atlantic.
   3. There is a continuous exchange of water with the Atlantic through the Strait of Gibraltar, influencing currents and salinity.