PLACES IN NEWS 7th JULY 2025

Texas

 

Why in the News?

1. A very serious flood happened in Central Texas, especially in areas like Kerr County and San Antonio.
2. It rained heavily, and the Guadalupe River rose very fast, making the water levels dangerous.

What are the Key Highlights?

1. Country: United States of America (USA)
2. Region: South-Central part of the United States
3. Latitude & Longitude: Between 25°50′ N to 36°30′ N and 93°30′ W to 106°38′ W
4. Borders:
   1. North: Oklahoma
   2. East: Arkansas and Louisiana
   3. South: Mexico and the Gulf of Mexico
   4. West: New Mexico
5.  Area and Size:
   1. Second largest state in the USA (after Alaska)
   2. Total area: Around 695,600 square kilometers
   3. Bigger than many countries like France or Afghanistan
6.  Climate:
   1. East Texas: Humid and subtropical (more rainfall, forests)
   2. West Texas: Dry and desert-like (arid and semi-arid)
   3. Central Texas: Known for unpredictable weather and prone to flash floods (e.g., recent flood in Hill Country)
   4. North Texas: Experiences cold winters and hot summers
   5. South Texas: Hot and humid (close to the Gulf of Mexico)
7. Major Rivers and Water Bodies:
   1. Rio Grande: Forms the natural border with Mexico
   2. Red River: Forms the northern border with Oklahoma
   3. Sabine River: Eastern border with Louisiana
   4. Trinity, Brazos, Colorado (of Texas):  Important rivers in central and eastern Texas
   5. Gulf of Mexico: Southern border, key for ports, trade, and hurricanes.
8. Landforms:
   1. East: Pine forests and lowlands
   2. Central (Hill Country): Plateau and hilly terrain (prone to flash floods)
   3. West;  Desert and mountain ranges (e.g., Guadalupe Mountains)
   4. Panhandle region (Northwest Texas): Flat high plains
   5. Coastal Plains: Along the Gulf Coast, important for oil and gas industry
9. Major Cities:
   1. Austin: Capital of Texas
   2. Houston: Largest city, major oil and space research center (NASA)
   3. Dallas: Financial and tech hub
   4. San Antonio: Historic city with Spanish influence
   5. El Paso: Near the Mexico border, major trade link
10. Natural Resources:
    1. Oil and Natural Gas: Texas is the leading oil producer in the USA
    2. Wind and Solar Energy: Huge renewable energy production
    3.  Agriculture:  Cotton, cattle, and wheat
    4.  Minerals: Limestone, salt, gypsum     
11. Natural Disasters:
    1. Hurricanes (from the Gulf of Mexico)
    2. Tornadoes (especially in North Texas – part of "Tornado Alley")
    3. Flash floods (Hill Country and Central Texas)
    4. Droughts and wildfires (West Texas)
12. Strategic Importance
    1. Borders Mexico: Key for immigration, trade, and border security
    2. Access to Gulf of Mexico: Boosts shipping and oil exports
    3. Hosts major military bases, NASA, and technology hubs

Helgoland

 

Why in the News?

1. Helgoland, a small island in the North Sea near Germany, is in the news because it is being remembered as the place where quantum mechanics was born.
2. This year marks 100 years since Werner Heisenberg had a major scientific breakthrough on this island in June 1925.
3. His ideas changed the way we understand atoms and helped start a new field of science called quantum physics.

What are the Key Highlights?

Feature	Description
Country	Germany
Sea	North Sea
Coordinates	Approximately 54°11′N 7°53′E
Distance from Mainland	About 46–50 km off the German coast
State/Region	Belongs to the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany
Nearest Port	Cuxhaven (on the German mainland)
Island Group	Comprises two main islands: Helgoland (main) and Düne (a smaller islet)
Total Area	About 1 square kilometre
Geology	Made up mainly of red sandstone cliffs, unique in the North Sea region
Climate	Mild maritime climate; windy, with clean air (important for health tourism)

 

Strategic Importance (Historical):

1. Once a naval fortress of the German Empire.
2. Played roles during both World Wars due to its strategic North Sea location.
3. Was heavily bombed during WWII; British forces even used it as a bombing practice site.
4. Returned to West Germany in 1952 after being under British control post-WWII.

Ecological Importance:

1. The surrounding waters are rich in marine biodiversity.
2. The island is a bird-watching hotspot, especially during migratory seasons.
3. Dune Island is known for seal colonies and protected natural habitats.

Tourism and Culture:

1. Helgoland is a popular holiday destination, especially for its clean air and calm atmosphere.
2. It is a duty-free zone in Germany, attracting shoppers.

No cars are allowed on the island, making it a quiet, pedestrian-friendly area.