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Gulf and Straits have been considered geographical features on the earth’s surface. Both gulfs and straits are part of the water body. Gulf refers to an inlet within the sea which is deep and has a narrow opening.
Gulf refers to the portion of the ocean which penetrates within the land. It can be different in shape, deepness and size. Straits refer to a narrow waterway that acts as a connector toward a large water body. The connector is a link between two watersheds; hence, it is formed due to a fracture of the isthmus. Straits are generally formed due to tectonic shifts.
About Gulf
Gulfs are large indentations of coast which usually indicates re-entrant of the ocean. The geologic structures are formed in varied structures, sizes, configurations, and others. Owing to their size difference, the gulf is named or called different names like bay, firths, fjord, and bights.
On the contrary, many concavities within the ocean have no name. Hence, ocean currents create many geologic structures. Different geologic structures like bay or bight are considered gulf as they have similar gulf features.
Examples like the Marmara Sea and Azov Sea are so small that they are called gulfs as they are part of the ocean and seas. In India, the Gulf of Aden is a part of the Arabian Sea. In this view, the Red Sea is very large and exhibits huge geomorphic structures. From the Red Sea, small gulfs are formed named Suez and Aqaba.
The Bay of Bengal in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west are gulfs with similar water circulation mechanisms. All the mentioned water bodies are generally formed from forces of nature like tides, precipitation, and others. The length and shape cannot be defined in particular terms as they vary in different regions.
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About Straits
Straits might be formed from isthmus fracture, which is narrow in shape. It acts as a connector of water bodies. It is said that movements of tectonic plates lead to the formation of straits. For example, the Strait of Gibraltar is formed from African tectonic activities.
It is a breakdown of the Gibraltar Isthmus. However, human activity also creates straits which are named canals. It is used for directing water flow for domestic and commercial consumption. One of such straits is Suez Canal, built-in 1869.
It is a watershed built amongst the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Then, it was built for trading purposes; now, it acts as a water link between European and Asian regions. This reduces the time as, without a watershed, one will be required to pass the African region for transporting commodities. Hence, some straits are built to create economic activities.
Also, straits are formed from overflowing water bodies. Subsiding lands and erosion also lead to the formation of straits. Bosporus acts as a linkage between the Black and Aegean Seas. Bosporus was formed due to natural methods of erosion and weathering. Bosporus is very important for geologists, as it is the sole separator of European and Asian regions.
Straits are considered important strategies as it helps countries control shipping routes. For example, the Strait of Hormuz has been built from the Arabian Sea to connect to the Persian Gulf. It is called the Gulf of Oman, used to ship huge petroleum quantities. This gulf is owned by Middle East countries like UAE and Iran.
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Differences between Gulf and Strait
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 |
Gulf and Straits are both man-made and natural; they are used for economic purposes. The Gulf of Mexico and Oman has been used as economic sites for transport and trading. The Gulf of Mexico is the largest gulf used for recreational activities, commercial, and sports. Suez Canal is the largest man-made strait used for trading and transportation purposes.
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Conclusion
The gulf and straits are both important geological structures formed from biological activities. Although, their size, shape, and deepness, along with other features, help to identify the distinctions. The gulf is a sea portion that penetrates with the landmass while straits are surrounded by ocean on all sides. The Gulf has a narrow opening while the entire shape and size of the strait is narrow. Both are used for trade and commercial purposes.
