Red Sea

Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, lying between Africa and Asia. The connection to the ocean is in the south through the Bab el Mandeb strait and the Gulf of Aden. To the north lie the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez (leading to the Suez Canal). The Red Sea is a Global 200 ecoregion. The sea is underlain by the Red Sea Rift which is part of the Great Rift Valley.

Etymology

The name of the sea is derived from the colour changes observed in its waters. Normally the Red Sea is an intense blue-green; occasionally, however, it is populated with extensive blooms of the cyanobacteria Trichodesmium erythraeum, which appear as reddish-brown patches.

Geography

The Red Sea is between arid land, desert and semi-desert. The main reasons for the better development of reef systems along the Red Sea is because of its greater depths and an efficient water circulation pattern, The Red Sea water mass exchanges its water with the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Aden.

Biodiversity

The Red Sea is one of the most saline bodies of water in the world, due to high evaporation. The sea is known for its spectacular reef systems, many of which remain relatively untouched by human activity. Some of the species that inhabit the Red Sea are not found anywhere else in the world.

History

The Red Sea played a critical role in the trade between the East and the West, and it was the route used by the Queen of Sheba to visit King Solomon. In addition, the sea served as a pathway for the spread of Christianity and Islam, and for military campaigns.

See also

• List of seas
• Gulf of Aqaba
• Gulf of Suez

External links

• Red Sea Research Center

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