Straits of the World
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A strait is a narrow, navigable channel of water that connects two larger bodies of water and separates two land masses, playing a crucial role in global trade, military strategy, and climate patterns due to their importance for commercial shipping and ocean currents. Several key Straits of the World are of significant strategic, geopolitical and commercial importance.
| Gulf | Strait |
|---|---|
| The gulf is a sea portion that penetrates within the land. | Straits are narrow watersheds that act as a connector between two huge water bodies. |
| It connects both land and sea. | It is a connector of water bodies only. |
| The gulf is usually formed naturally. | It is majorly man-made, like canals. |
| The gulf is very helpful for harbouring ships. | They are very small and cannot be used for harbouring purposes. |
| Sometimes, it is also considered a large bay. | They are very narrow and are used as canals. |
| eg: Gulf of Mannar, Persian gulf | eg: Hormuz straits, Malacca strait |
🌍 Straits of the World & Their Geopolitical Importance 🌍
1️⃣ Strait of Malacca – Connects Indian Ocean with Pacific Ocean.
👉 Vital trade route for oil & goods, especially for China, Japan & India.It connects the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean). 👉It is the longest strait in the world, measuring roughly 800 kilometres, and it not only makes it easier for locals to travel about, but it also serves as a hub for trade, culture, ideas, and information between East and West. 👉The Strait of Malacca connects the Indian Ocean with the South China Maritime, making it the shortest sea route between China and India and one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. 👉The importance of this region has grown as a result of the worldwide shift in economic power from the West to the East as well as booming commerce, investments, and production in areas spanning the Indian and Pacific Ocean basins.
2️⃣ Hormuz Strait – Between Persian Gulf & Gulf of Oman.
👉 World’s most important oil chokepoint, controlling ~20% of global crude. The war between Israel and Iran has raised concerns that Iran could try to close the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most important oil chokepoint.
3️⃣ Bab-el-Mandeb – Connects Red Sea with Gulf of Aden.
👉 Strategic route for Europe-Asia trade via Suez Canal. The name Bab el Mandeb translates to “Gate of Grief” or “Gate of Tears” in Arabic, with “Bab” meaning “gate” and “Mandeb” meaning “lamentation” or “grief”. Strait is located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula, and Djibouti and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa.
4️⃣ Bosporus & Dardanelles (Turkish Straits) – Connect Black Sea with Mediterranean.
👉 Key for Russia & Ukraine’s maritime trade.
5️⃣ Gibraltar Strait – Connects Atlantic Ocean with Mediterranean Sea.
👉 Naval control = dominance over Europe-Africa maritime trade. Strait of Gibraltar, channel connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean, lying between southernmost Spain and northwesternmost Africa.
6️⃣ Palk Strait – Between India & Sri Lanka.
👉 Historically important for India’s southern naval strategy. It connects the Palk Bay in the Bay of Bengal in the north with the Gulf of Mannar in the Laccadive Sea in the south.
7️⃣ Bering Strait – Between Russia & USA (Alaska).
👉 Critical in Arctic geopolitics & new shipping lanes due to melting ice.
8️⃣ Sunda & Lombok Straits (Indonesia) – Alternatives to Malacca for shipping routes. 👉The Sunda Strait (Indonesian: Selat Sunda) is the strait between the Indonesian islands of Java and Sumatra. It connects the Java Sea with the Indian Ocean. The strait takes its name from the Sunda Kingdom, which ruled the western portion of Java.
Ten Degree Channel
- Join: The Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal
- Location: Car Nicobar Islands and Little Andaman
Nine Degree Channel The Nine Degree Channel separates the island of Minicoy from the main Lakshadweep archipelago. Eight Degree Channel The Eight Degree Channel separates Minicoy Island, which is part of the Indian Union Territory of Lakshadweep, from the Maldives.
✨ Why Aspirants Must Learn Straits of the World ?
Questions on world geography & geopolitics are frequently asked in NDA, CDS & AFCAT exams.
Defence officers must understand strategic chokepoints that affect India’s security and trade.
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