Gotthard Base Tunnel, world’s longest rail tunnel starts regular service

• The famed Gotthard Base Tunnel (GBT) has started regular commercial rail service in Switzerland. 
• The first regular train to use GBT ferried passenger from Zurich to Lugano. 
• The twin-bore GBT is world’s longest and deepest railway tunnel with length of 57-kilometer. 
• It had overtaken Japan’s Seikan tunnel (53.9 kilometers) as the longest rail tunnel in world after it was opened in June 2016 for its maiden ride. 
• Key Facts GBT is the first flat low-level route through the Alps Mountain. 
• It is situated 2.3 km deep under these mountains and57-kilometer long. 
• It connects northern and southern Europe and also shortens travel time for many rail routes It was built in 17 years’ time frame starting in 1992 as a part of AlpTransit project, also known as New Railway Link through the Alps (NRLA). 
• It consists of two single-track tunnels connecting Erstfeld (Uri) with Bodio (Ticino) and passing below Sedrun (Graubünden). 
• The main purpose of the GBT is to increase total transport capacity across the Alps, especially for freight.

Source: http://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/

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10 facts about Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a central american country having a population of  around 4.5 million .Here are 10 facts about Costa Rica .

• Costa Rica contains over  5% of the world's bio diversityeven though it constitutes only0.1% of the worlds total land mass. 

• Costa Rica is  composed ofseven provinces which are further divided into 81 cantons. 

• Costa Rica does not have any standing military.It was abolished in 1949.However the country has para military forces.

• Costa Rica has a life expectancy of 79 years, which is one of the highest in the world. 

• The literacy rate in the country is 97.8% according to UNESCO.

Red Eyed Tree frog of Costa Rica

• Football is the most popular sport in Costa Rica.

• The  capital and largest city of Costa Rica is San Jose.

First postal stamp of Costa Rica issued in 1862

• Area is of the country is  51,000 Square Kilometers. 

• Spanish is the official language of Costa Rica .

• In Costa Rica  people call themselves ticos(male) and titas(female) .

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