Gulf of Aden Latest News
A suspected missile strike, likely from Yemen's Houthi rebels, caused a vessel to catch fire in the Gulf of Aden recently.
About Gulf of Aden
- It is an extension of the Indian Ocean, located between the Arabian Peninsula and the African continent.
- The gulf connects the Red Sea to the Arabian Sea via the Strait of Bab el Mandeb.
- The gulf is named after “Aden,” a port city on Yemen’s coast.
- It is one of the largest natural harbors in the world, with an area of about 70 sq. km of sheltered water.
- It is approximately 900 km long and 500 km wide and covers roughly 410,000 sq.km.
- It is bounded to the south by Somalia and the Socotra Islands (part of Yemen), north by Yemen, east by the Arabian Sea, and west by Djibouti.
- The gulf is connected to the Somali Sea to the south by the Guardafui Channel.
- In the west, it narrows into the Gulf of Tadjoura,near Djibouti.
- It is demarcated from the Arabian Sea by the Horn of Africa and the Socotra Islands.
- It is a geologically young body of water with a unique rich biodiversity that comprises many varieties of coral, fish, seabirds, and invertebrates.
- The dominant relief feature of the gulf’s terrain is the Sheba Ridge,an extension of the Indian Ocean ridge system, which extends along the middle of the gulf.
- The Gulf of Aden is strongly influenced by the upwelling of cool, nutrient-rich waters during the southwest and northeast monsoons and is characterized by a prevailing high-energy climate.
- Compared to the neighbouring Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden has a lower saline content.
- Some of the major cities near the gulf include Aden, Mukalla, Ahnwar, Balhaf, Berbera, Bosaso, and Djibouti City.
- Major Ports: Aden in Yemen, and Berbera and Bosaso in Somalia.
- It is also a critical part of the Suez Canal shipping route, which connects the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.
- An estimated 11% of seaborne petroleum passes through the Gulf of Aden en route to the Mediterranean or Arabian Seas.
Source: TOI
Gulf of Aden FAQs
Q1: The Gulf of Aden connects which two major bodies of water?
Ans: Red Sea and Arabian Sea
Q2: Which countries does the Gulf of Aden border?
Ans: Yemen, Somalia, Djibouti
Q3: How does the salinity of the Gulf of Aden compare to the Red Sea?
Ans: Lower than the Red Sea.
Q4: Which major ports are located along the Gulf of Aden?
Ans: Aden in Yemen, and Berbera and Bosaso in Somalia.
