In this Article, we are covering Important Straits for UPSC Prelims 2024 and have been in news recently.
Major straits of the world are used by commercial shipping to travel from one sea or exclusive economic zone to another and they are of immense strategic and commercial importance. They also serve as a channel through which ocean currents pass modifying the climate of that area. Due to these reasons, they play an important role in physical and human geography
Straits are also of great geopolitical significance as they can be used to control trade flow. Many countries have put blockades on straits to halt the trade from enemy or not so friendly countries.
List of Important Straits for UPSC
P&O Pioneer, which is the world’s largest hybrid and double-ended ferry boat, made its First commercial crossing on the English Channel from the Strait of Dover marking an important milestone towards decarbonization of Maritime trade.
Russia, in overnight drone strikes on August 16, targeted ports and grain storage facilities along the Danube River in Ukraine.The alternative passage for its grain after Russia withdrew
from the Black Sea grain deal last month. The cargo is transferred to bigger ships that carry it out of the Black Sea into the Mediterranean through the Bosphorus straits.
Murmansk, popularly called the capital of the Arctic region and the beginning point of the Northern Sea Route
(NSR), Is witnessing the rising trend of Indian involvement in cargo traffic. India has been showing greater interest regarding the NSR.
New study explains ‘Atlantification’ of the Arctic Ocean Researchers observed decreased Atlantic flow into the Arctic Ocean through the Fram Strait east of Greenland and increased Atlantic flow into the Barents Sea.
With the first-ever ASEAN drills planned for later this year, Indonesia has changed the location from the contested waters of the South China Sea to an island near China’s most valuable chokepoint, the Malacca Strait.
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A pod of orcas has sunk a yacht in the Strait of Gibraltar ,Since 2020, there have been about 500 encounters between orcas and boats in the region. |
The United States and its Western allies have increased “freedom of navigation” crossings by naval vessels both of the Taiwan Strait and the disputed South China Sea to reinforce that both are international waterways, angering Beijing.
Iran made an attempt to seize two oil tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
In conclusion, the intricate dance of currents, the strategic chokeholds, and the bustling highways of commerce—these major straits encapsulate the essence of global interconnectedness and geopolitical maneuvering. As aspirants gear up for UPSC Prelims 2024, delving into the significance of these vital waterways becomes not just a study in geography, but a profound exploration of the world’s pulse and its geopolitical heartbeat. The seas may seem vast, but within these narrow passages lie the keys to understanding the intricate tapestry of our planet’s physical, human, and geopolitical landscapes. So, as you prepare to navigate the challenging waters of the UPSC examination, remember that every strait tells a story, and each story adds depth to your journey of knowledge and understanding. Happy studying!
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