PLACES IN NEWS 5th SEPTEMBER 2025

1. Baltic Sea

Why in the News?

1. The Baltic Sea region has witnessed a sharp rise in GPS interference (jamming and spoofing) affecting aviation and maritime navigation.
2. According to Sweden’s Transport Agency, incidents in Swedish airspace rose from 55 in 2023 to 733 in 2025 (till August 18).
3. Sweden has attributed the interference to Russia, with disruptions now spreading over both land and sea areas.
4. Six Baltic Sea countries, Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, raised the issue with the ICAO Council, which expressed grave concern and urged Russia to stop the interference.
5. A recent case included GPS jamming of EU chief Ursula von der Leyen’s aircraft while landing in Bulgaria.

About Baltic Sea

1. The Baltic Sea, part of the Atlantic Ocean system, lies in Northern Europe.
2. It is considered the youngest sea on Earth, having formed around 10,000–15,000 years ago after the last Ice Age when glaciers receded.
3. The sea extends roughly 1,600 km in length and 193 km in width, covering an area of nearly 77 lakh sq. km.
4. Coastline & Countries: With a coastline of about 8,000 km, it is bordered by Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Denmark, and Russia.
5. Connectivity:
   1. Linked to the Atlantic Ocean through the Danish Straits.
   2. Connected to the White Sea via the White Sea Canal.
   3. Connected to the North Sea (German Bight) through the Kiel Canal.
6. Important Gulfs:
   1. Gulf of Bothnia (north)
   2. Gulf of Finland (east)
   3. Gulf of Riga (south-east)
7. The Baltic Sea is the largest brackish inland water body in the world. Its low salinity is due to shallow depth and heavy inflow of freshwater from rivers.
8. Around 60 rivers drain into it, with the Neva River being the largest contributor.
9. Islands: The sea has more than 20 islands and archipelagos; Gotland (Sweden) is the largest.

• Environmental Concern: The sea frequently experiences Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), making it one of the major ecological issues in the region.

2. South China Sea

Why in the News?

1. China’s Navy carried out a so-called “routine patrol” in the South China Sea.
2. This coincided with the Philippines completing joint naval drills with Australia, Canada, and the U.S. in the same region.
3. The event reflects the ongoing maritime tensions in the South China Sea, where several countries contest China’s expansive claims.

About South China Sea

1. The South China Sea is a marginal sea of the western Pacific Ocean, lying adjacent to the Southeast Asian mainland.
2. It covers an area of about 68 million sq. km (1.42 million sq. miles) with an average depth of 1,212 m (3,976 ft).
3. Borders: China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
4. Southern limit: Seabed ridge between Sumatra and Borneo.
5. Northern limit: Line from northern Taiwan to China’s Fujian coast (Taiwan Strait).
6. Connections:
   1. With East China Sea via Taiwan Strait.
   2. With Philippine Sea via Luzon Strait.
7. Together with the East China Sea, it forms the China Seas.
8. Two major disputed archipelagos:
   1. Paracel Islands (under Chinese control).
   2. Spratly Islands (claimed by multiple states).
9. Climate: Tropical monsoon climate, with seasonal variations heavily influenced by monsoons.

• Strategic Importance
  1. One of the busiest sea lanes in the world (2nd most used).
  2. A critical route for crude oil shipments from the Persian Gulf and Africa, passing through the Strait of Malacca to reach Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and beyond.
• Major Ports on the South China Sea: Hong Kong (China), Singapore and Kaohsiung (Taiwan).