Gulf of Aden

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

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