UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 4 February 2026 covers vital present affairs of the day, their backward linkages, their relevance for Prelims examination and MCQs on primary articles
InstaLinks : Insta Hyperlinks show you how to suppose past the present affairs problem and show you how to think multidimensionally to develop depth in your understanding of those points. These linkages offered on this ‘trace’ format show you how to body attainable questions in your thoughts that may come up(or an examiner may think) from every present occasion. InstaLinks additionally join each problem to their static or theoretical background.
Desk of Contents
GS Paper 1:
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IOM International Attraction 2026 Report
GS Paper 3:
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Elevated Capital Spending for the Defence Sector
Content material for Mains Enrichment (CME):
-
IOM International Attraction 2026 Report
Details for Prelims (FFP):
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Stable Gas Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Expertise
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Challenge Vault
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Elimination of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
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Blue Line alongside the Lebanon–Israel frontier
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Peacocks
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Turtle Trails
Mapping:
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Seychelles
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 4 February 2026
GS Paper 1:
IOM International Attraction 2026 Report
Supply: IOM
Context: The IOM has requested USD 4.7 billion to help 41 million folks worldwide in 2026, marking a shift towards sharper prioritization amid a Humanitarian Reset and a constrained world funding panorama.
About IOM International Attraction 2026 Report:
What it’s?
The International Attraction 2026 serves as IOM’s engine for transformation, aligning its operations with the Strategic Plan 2024–2028. It offers a roadmap for delivering life-saving help, driving long-term options to displacement, and facilitating protected, common migration pathways whereas supporting the world’s most weak populations.
Key Findings and Traits within the Report:
- File Inner Displacement: On the finish of 2024, inner displacement reached an all-time excessive of 83.4 million folks.
- Local weather Change Acceleration: Catastrophe-related displacement rose to 9.8 million in 2024, a 29% enhance from the earlier 12 months.
- Deadliest Yr on File: With no less than 9,197 recorded deaths in 2024, it was the deadliest 12 months for migrants since 2014.
- Financial Influence of Remittances: Migrants despatched USD 905 billion in worldwide remittances in 2024, offering a significant lifeline for a lot of nations.
- Narrowing Common Pathways: Lower than 20% of assessed nations have established packages facilitating common labor migration.
- Workforce Indispensability: There are 168 million migrant staff worldwide, filling crucial gaps in sectors like healthcare and innovation.
- Funding Gaps: Out of the USD 4.7 billion required, solely USD 1.3 billion has been secured, leaving a USD 3.4 billion hole.
Causes for Migration:
- Financial Alternative: 168 million folks migrate primarily to fill labor shortages and stimulate innovation.
- Battle and Violence: Ongoing crises, reminiscent of these in Sudan and DR Congo, proceed to push hundreds of thousands into displacement.
- Environmental Degradation: Excessive climate and local weather shocks are forcing households to decide on between staying and trying to find security.
- Protracted Crises: Displacement typically lasts for years, driving onward migration as native assets and safety fail.
- Inequality and Hardship: Persistent financial disparities drive folks towards harmful, irregular journeys in quest of dignity.
Challenges Related:
- Lack of Social Safety: Many migrants work in insecure jobs with no entry to welfare or well being advantages.
E.g. Regardless of the eShram portal, many unorganized migrant staff in cities like Mumbai nonetheless battle to entry native state-specific welfare schemes.
E.g. Inner migrants in Dharavi, Mumbai, face extreme challenges with protected water and waste administration attributable to excessive inhabitants density.
- Exploitation and Low Wages: Migrants typically face dangerous working circumstances and wage theft attributable to lack of authorized safety.
E.g. Seasonal laborers in India’s development trade (typically from Bihar or UP) often report unsafe work environments and delayed funds.
- Restrictive International Insurance policies: Host nations are more and more adopting narrower, extra restrictive immigration legal guidelines.
E.g. The H-1B visa modifications in 2025, together with greater charges and wage-weighted choice, have elevated hurdles for Indian IT professionals within the US.
- Dangerous Narratives and Misinformation: Anti-immigrant sentiment is commonly fueled by disinformation, resulting in social isolation.
E.g. Indian migrants within the UK and Canada confronted heightened scrutiny and coverage shifts in 2025 as these nations moved to cap worldwide scholar intakes and cut back web migration.
Means Forward:
- Route-Primarily based Method: Shift from fragmented responses to cohesive, data-informed methods throughout complete migration corridors.
- Enhanced Localization: Strengthen the capability of native and nationwide actors to steer humanitarian and growth actions.
- Common Pathway Growth: Assist Member States in establishing versatile migration pathways that meet actual labor market wants.
- Knowledge-Pushed Options: Scale using the Displacement Monitoring Matrix (DTM) to supply actionable insights for decision-makers.
- Resilience Funding: Mobilize versatile, unearmarked funding to protect the core structure required for agile discipline operations.
Conclusion:
The IOM International Attraction 2026 underscores that migration is a necessary a part of the answer to world challenges like poverty and local weather change. By prioritizing human dignity and system-wide effectivity, the IOM goals to rework migration right into a protected, orderly, and helpful course of for all. Attaining this requires a collective world dedication to closing the large funding hole and defending these on the transfer.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 4 February 2026 GS Paper 3:
Elevated Capital Spending for the Defence Sector
Supply: TH
Topic: Defence/Economic system
Context: The federal government introduced a historic 15.2% hike within the complete defence funds for FY2026-27, primarily to deal with tactical gaps uncovered by the latest Operation Sindoor battle.
- The allocation goals to strengthen India’s “security-development-self-reliance” stability amid rising geopolitical tensions.
About Elevated Capital Spending for the Defence Sector:
What it’s?
- Capital spending (or capital outlay) is the portion of the funds devoted to modernization and the acquisition of recent belongings reminiscent of superior weapons, fighter jets, ships, and submarines.
- For FY2026-27, capital outlay has surged by 8% to achieve ₹2,19,306 crore, marking a strategic pivot from manpower prices to technology-intensive functionality constructing.
Necessary Finances Bulletins:
- File Whole Allocation: A complete of ₹7.85 lakh crore was granted to the Ministry of Defence, the best amongst all ministries.
- Modernization Surge: Capital outlay for brand spanking new acquisitions rose by practically 22%, totaling ₹2.19 lakh crore.
- Home Procurement Goal: 75% of the capital acquisition funds—amounting to ₹1.39 lakh crore—is reserved for home trade.
- Border Infrastructure Hike: Allocation for the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) elevated to ₹7,394 crore for strategic tunnels and bridges.
- R&D Growth: Finances for DRDO rose to ₹29,100 crore to foster indigenous innovation in next-gen expertise.
- Customs Responsibility Waivers: Fundamental customs obligation was waived on uncooked supplies for plane manufacturing to spice up the home MRO (Upkeep, Restore, and Overhaul) sector.
Want for Rising the Defence Finances:
- Replenishment of Conflict Reserves: Important for changing shares depleted throughout energetic army engagements.
E.g. Excessive capital outlay is required to replenish ammunition and precision-guided munitions used throughout Operation Sindoor in Might 2025.
- Countering Two-Entrance Threats: Essential to deal with simultaneous safety challenges from adversarial neighbors.
E.g. Modernizing air energy and floor forces is crucial to keep up deterrence alongside the Line of Precise Management (LAC) in opposition to China.
- Maritime Safety in IOR: Strengthening undersea and floor capabilities to watch the Indian Ocean Area (IOR).
E.g. Funding helps the Challenge 75(I) stealth submarine deal to counter rising international naval presence in Indian waters.
- Technological Superiority: Investing in “dawn” sectors like AI, cyber, and unmanned methods for future warfare.
E.g. A 51% enhance within the Agnipath scheme allocation displays a push towards a leaner, tech-savvy pressure.
- Border Connectivity: Guaranteeing speedy troop mobilization by way of all-weather infrastructure in ahead areas.
E.g. Elevated BRO funding will expedite strategic initiatives like high-altitude tunnels to make sure year-round connectivity to the borders.
Points Related to the Defence Sector:
- Structural Imbalance: Excessive manpower prices (salaries/pensions) proceed to eat into the modernization fund.
E.g. Defence pensions alone price ₹1.71 lakh crore in FY27, practically rivaling your complete capital acquisition funds.
- Absorption Capability: Home industries typically battle to execute large-scale contracts inside strict timelines.
E.g. Fragmented planning and delayed trials have traditionally led to under-utilization of allotted capital funds.
- Import Dependency: Vital sub-systems and high-end tech like aero-engines are nonetheless largely imported.
E.g. The IAF’s 114 MRFA undertaking stays depending on international authentic gear producers (OEMs) for fight jet designs.
- Execution and Supply Delays: Lengthy gestation durations for indigenous platforms can result in operational gaps.
E.g. The Challenge 75(I) submarine acquisition has confronted years of delays, leaving the Navy with a shrinking underwater fleet.
- Finances as % of GDP: Regardless of absolute will increase, spending stays beneath the beneficial 2.5–3% of GDP.
E.g. The FY27 funds stands at roughly 1.99% of GDP, which consultants argue could also be inadequate for a full-scale two-front risk.
Means Forward:
- Institutionalizing Emergency Procurement: Remodel fast-track mechanisms used throughout crises into customary procedures for crucial tech.
- Theaterisation and Jointness: Surge funding for “Joint Employees” to boost inter-service coordination and useful resource sharing.
- Give attention to IP-led Design: Shift from transactional manufacturing to proudly owning Mental Property (IP) for no less than 50% of contracts.
- Growing Export Hubs: Leverage the home base to focus on ₹35,000 crore in annual exports by 2027 by way of modular designs.
- Nurturing MSME Ecosystem: Combine a whole bunch of Indian MSMEs into the worldwide provide chain for high-end spares and sensors.
Conclusion:
The FY2026-27 defence funds acts as a stabilization measure that prioritizes instant tactical readiness and long-term strategic autonomy. By earmarking 75% of acquisitions for home gamers, India is decisively shifting towards changing into a self-reliant world defence hub. Nevertheless, the success of this report outlay will rely on the trade’s capacity to ship superior expertise on the velocity of operational relevance.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 4 February 2026 Content material for Mains Enrichment (CME)
Waste-pickers enumeration below NAMASTE scheme
Context: The Union authorities launched nationwide enumeration information of waste-pickers for the primary time below the NAMASTE scheme.
- The info revealed that 84.5% of waste-pickers belong to SC, ST and OBC communities, highlighting deep social stratification in casual city labour.
About Waste-pickers enumeration below NAMASTE scheme:
Key developments:
- Whole waste-pickers enumerated: 52 lakh throughout 35 States/UTs
- Regional outliers:
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- Basic class majority in Delhi and Goa
- West Bengal: 42.4% from Basic class
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- 91.95% of sewer/septic tank staff belong to SC/ST/OBC teams
Significance
- Social justice lens: Confirms the caste-based focus of hazardous casual labour, reinforcing issues of occupational segregation.
- Coverage focusing on: Permits formal recognition by City Native Our bodies (ULBs) and entry to security gear, insurance coverage and welfare schemes.
- Human rights perspective: Helps India’s constitutional mandate to remove guide scavenging and unsafe sanitation work.
Relevance for UPSC examination:
- GS Paper II (Governance & Social Justice)
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- Welfare schemes for weak sections
- Function of State in social empowerment
- Points associated to marginalised communities
- GS Paper I (Indian Society)
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- Caste, occupation and social stratification
- City casual sector and gendered labour
- GS Paper III (Inclusive Progress)
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- Casual financial system
- Labour reforms and employee security
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 4 February 2026 Details for Prelims (FFP)
Stable Gas Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Expertise
Supply: PIB
Topic: Science and Expertise
Context: Defence Analysis and Improvement Organisation (DRDO) efficiently demonstrated Stable Gas Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) expertise from Built-in Take a look at Vary, Chandipur.
About Stable Gas Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Expertise:
What’s it?
- SFDR is an air-breathing propulsion system for missiles that makes use of atmospheric oxygen for combustion and strong gas burned in a managed method to supply sustained thrust at supersonic speeds.
- Not like typical rockets, it maintains excessive power all through flight—particularly within the terminal section.
Developed by: Defence Analysis and Improvement Organisation (DRDO)
The way it works?
- Preliminary acceleration: A nozzle-less floor booster propels the missile to the required Mach quantity.
- Ramjet takeover: As soon as adequate velocity is reached, atmospheric air is ingested and compressed by ahead movement (no rotating compressors).
- Managed combustion: Stable gas burns steadily contained in the duct as air flows by way of, regulated by a gas stream controller.
- Sustained thrust: Steady thrust retains the missile quick and manoeuvrable until impression.
Key options
- Air-breathing propulsion: Makes use of atmospheric oxygen as an alternative of carrying an onboard oxidiser, permitting extra space for gas and increasing missile vary.
- Sustained high-speed flight: Not like rocket motors that burn out rapidly, SFDR offers steady thrust, sustaining supersonic velocity all through flight.
- Excessive terminal power: Retains excessive velocity within the last section, rising impression pressure and the chance of efficiently destroying quick, manoeuvring targets.
- Larger manoeuvrability in end-game: Steady thrust allows sharp evasive turns close to the goal, making interception by enemy countermeasures troublesome.
- Diminished drag losses and improved vary: Optimised airflow and sustained propulsion minimise power loss, permitting engagement at longer distances.
- Indigenous combustion management at supersonic speeds: Secure fuel-air combustion at excessive Mach numbers has been efficiently mastered domestically, a serious technological breakthrough.
Purposes:
- Lengthy-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs): Permits fighter plane to interact enemy jets from prolonged ranges whereas sustaining excessive kill effectiveness.
- Air superiority and BVR fight benefit: Permits pilots to strike first and disengage safely, shifting the stability in beyond-visual-range aerial warfare.
- Indigenisation of superior propulsion: Reduces reliance on international missile applied sciences and strengthens India’s self-reliant defence ecosystem below Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Challenge Vault
Supply: BS
Topic: Worldwide Relations
Context: The USA has launched Challenge Vault, a $12 billion crucial minerals stockpiling initiative, introduced by Donald Trump to guard American industries from world provide disruptions.
About Challenge Vault:
What’s Challenge Vault?
- Challenge Vault is a public–non-public stockpiling programme designed to buy, retailer, and handle crucial minerals and uncommon earth components required for strategic civilian and defence industries in america, related in idea to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Launched by:
- US Authorities, introduced by Donald Trump
- Funded by way of a mixture of non-public capital and the US Export–Import Financial institution
Intention:
- To safe uninterrupted entry to crucial minerals throughout world provide shocks.
- To scale back strategic dependence on China, which dominates mineral processing.
- To strengthen nationwide safety, superior manufacturing, and clear power provide chains.
Key options:
- Minerals coated: Uncommon earths and important minerals reminiscent of cobalt, gallium, and different strategic metals
- Advance buy commitments: Firms commit upfront to purchase minerals later at fastened stock costs.
- Stockpile entry mannequin:
- Corporations can withdraw minerals in the event that they change equal portions
- Full entry allowed throughout main provide disruptions
- Worth stabilisation mechanism: Necessary repurchase on the similar value to scale back market volatility.
- Personal-sector execution: Commodity merchants (e.g., Mercuria, Traxys) deal with sourcing and storage.
- Trade participation: Firms like GM, Boeing, Google, Stellantis are already onboard.
Significance:
- Strategic autonomy: Reduces US vulnerability to geopolitical coercion and export controls.
- Industrial resilience: Protects automotive, aerospace, defence, EV, and tech sectors.
- Nationwide safety: Ensures availability of minerals crucial for jet engines, batteries, missiles, and electronics.
- Market stability: Dampens excessive value swings in uncommon earth markets.
Elimination of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC)
Supply: DH
Topic: Polity
Context: West Bengal Chief Minister acknowledged that the TMC is open to working with the Congress and different Opposition events to provoke impeachment proceedings in opposition to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
About Elimination of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC):
Who’s the Chief Election Commissioner?
- The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) is the top of the Election Fee of India (ECI), a constitutional physique entrusted with the superintendence, path, and management of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and the places of work of the President and Vice-President.
Constitutional article related:
- Article 324 of the Structure of India
- Establishes the Election Fee of India
- Gives for its composition, powers, and independence
Appointment of the CEC:
Elimination technique of the CEC:
- Article 324(5) offers that the CEC may be eliminated in like method and on like grounds as a Decide of the Supreme Courtroom.
- This hyperlinks the method to Article 124(4) (removing of SC judges)
Grounds for removing:
- Proved misbehaviour (e.g., abuse of workplace, corruption, failure to discharge constitutional duties)
- Incapacity (bodily or psychological incapability to carry out duties)
Process:
- Discover of movement launched: A proper written discover alleging proved misbehaviour or incapacity of the CEC is launched in both Home of Parliament to provoke proceedings.
- Assist by requisite MPs: The movement should be backed by a minimal variety of Members of Parliament, making certain that removing will not be triggered by frivolous or partisan allegations.
- Inquiry by a committee: An impartial inquiry committee is constituted to research the costs, look at proof, and set up whether or not misbehaviour or incapacity is proved.
- Particular majority in each Homes: The movement should safe a constitutional particular majority—a majority of complete membership and two-thirds of members current and voting—in each Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- Presidential order of removing: As soon as Parliament adopts the movement, the President formally orders removing, appearing with out discretion and in accordance with Parliament’s choice.
Blue Line alongside the Lebanon–Israel frontier
Supply: UN
Topic: Worldwide Relations/Mapping
Context: The United Nations Interim Pressure in Lebanon (UNIFIL) briefly suspended patrols alongside elements of the Blue Line after Israel introduced the discharge of a chemical substance close to the frontier.
About Blue Line alongside the Lebanon–Israel frontier:
What’s the Blue Line?
- The Blue Line is a UN-identified line of withdrawal, marking Israel’s pullback from southern Lebanon.
- It isn’t a world border, however a brief demarcation used to watch compliance with UN resolutions.
Situated in:
- Runs for about 120 km alongside southern Lebanon, separating it from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
- Extends from the Mediterranean coast close to Naqoura/Rosh HaNikra to the tri-junction space close to Shebaa Farms.
Origin and historical past:
- 1978: UN Safety Council adopted Resolutions 425 and 426 after Israel’s invasion of Lebanon, creating UNIFIL.
- 2000: Following Israel’s withdrawal from southern Lebanon, the United Nations delineated the Blue Line to confirm compliance.
- Each Israel and Lebanon agreed to respect the road, whereas sustaining that it doesn’t prejudice last border negotiations.
Key options:
- Momentary and technical line: Designed solely to substantiate Israeli withdrawal, to not settle sovereignty claims.
- UN custodianship: Monitored and supervised by UNIFIL in coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces.
- Delicate zones: Contains disputed areas reminiscent of Shebaa Farms, Ghajar village, and Kfarchouba hills.
- Frequent violations: Aerial overflights, cross-border hearth, and development actions are often flagged by the UN.
- Safety structure: Israel has constructed a border barrier/fence alongside a lot of the road to stop infiltration.
Significance:
- Regional stability: Central to stopping escalation between Israel and Hezbollah.
- UN peacekeeping mandate: Core operational space for UNIFIL below Decision 1701.
- Civilian safety: Stability alongside the Blue Line is important for the return of displaced residents and livelihoods.
Peacocks
Supply: TOI
Topic: Species in Information
Context: A pair of peacocks have been noticed at an altitude of over 6,000 ft close to Manali in Himachal Pradesh, an uncommon sight for a species usually present in hotter lowland areas.
About Peacocks:
What’s it?
- Peacocks are massive, vibrant birds of the pheasant household (Phasianidae), collectively referred to as peafowl—the male is a peacock, the feminine a peahen, and the younger are peachicks.
- India’s nationwide hen is the Indian or Blue Peacock (Pavo cristatus).
Habitat and distribution:
- Naturally present in heat, semi-arid to moist deciduous forests, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes.
- In India, normally inhabit plains and low hills.
- Typical altitude: as much as ~1,000 m, often 1,500 m.
- Current sightings at ~1,800 m (6,000 ft) in Himachal Pradesh are ecologically uncommon.
IUCN conservation standing:
- Indian (Blue) Peacock – Least Concern
- Inexperienced (Javanese) Peacock – Endangered
- Congo Peacock – Weak
Traits:
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- Males possess a lengthy iridescent prepare with eye-shaped spots utilized in courtship shows.
- Robust legs, brief rounded wings; able to brief flights and roosting on bushes.
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- Typically ground-dwelling however roost in bushes at evening.
- Males kind harems through the breeding season.
- Omnivorous: feed on seeds, bugs, small reptiles, aiding pest management.
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- Delicate to temperature and habitat modifications.
- Recognized for adaptability, however excessive altitudinal shifts are uncommon.
Implications of high-altitude sightings:
- Indicator of local weather change: Warming temperatures are making greater altitudes extra liveable.
- Ecosystem stress sign: Suggests shifts in species distribution within the Himalayas.
- Human–wildlife interplay dangers: New habitats could enhance battle and competitors.
Turtle Trails
Supply: DTE
Topic: Surroundings
Context: The Union Finances 2026–27 proposed growing ‘turtle trails’ alongside key Olive Ridley nesting websites in Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala to promote eco-tourism.
About Turtle Trails:
What it’s?
- ‘Turtle trails’ seek advice from regulated eco-tourism pathways and guided experiences close to sea turtle nesting seashores, aimed toward selling conservation consciousness, group livelihoods and nature-based tourism.
States concerned:
- Odisha – Rushikulya (Ganjam) and neighborhood of Gahirmatha (Kendrapara)
- Karnataka – Coastal turtle nesting seashores
- Kerala – Key nesting stretches alongside the Arabian Coastline
Key options:
- Guided and controlled entry to turtle nesting areas, normally throughout breeding season
- Public consciousness and training on marine biodiversity and conservation
- Neighborhood participation, involving native fishers, volunteers and NGOs
- Low-impact infrastructure, probably momentary walkways or remark zones (as proposed)
- Integration with eco-tourism coverage, aligned with livelihood technology and sustainable tourism targets
Significance:
- Helps sensitise the general public to endangered species just like the Olive Ridley sea turtle.
- Can generate different earnings for coastal communities by way of guided tourism.
- If well-designed, could change unregulated tourism with scientifically managed entry.
UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 4 February 2026 Mapping:
Seychelles
Supply: DD Information
Topic: Mapping
Context: Patrick Herminie, President of Seychelles, can pay a state go to to India on the invitation of Prime Minister of India.
About Seychelles:
What’s it?
- Seychelles is a sovereign island nation and archipelagic state comprising 115 islands, identified for its excessive human growth, blue financial system focus, and strategic maritime location within the Indian Ocean.
Situated in:
- Western Indian Ocean, about 1,500 km east of mainland Africa
- Neighbours: Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros, Réunion (France)
Capital: Victoria (on Mahé Island)
Key geographical options:
- Archipelagic composition: 115 islands grouped into Internal (granitic) and Outer (coralline) islands.
- Granitic islands (Mahé, Praslin, La Digue): among the many oldest oceanic granite formations on the earth.
- Coral atolls and reef methods: assist wealthy marine biodiversity and the blue financial system.
- Unique Financial Zone (EEZ): ~1.35 million km², one of many largest relative to nation measurement.
- Excessive marine conservation: dedication to guard 30% of marine waters by way of Marine Protected Areas.
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