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| {{lead too short|date=December 2015}} | {{lead too short|date=December 2015}} | ||
| {{About|the |
{{About|the Persian Sea (Bahr al-'Arab)|the river in Sudan|Bahr al-Arab}} | ||
| {{Infobox lake | {{Infobox lake | ||
| |name= |
|name=Persian Sea | ||
| |image= | |image= | ||
| |caption= | |caption= | ||
| |image_bathymetry= |
|image_bathymetry=Persian Sea map.png | ||
| |caption_bathymetry= | |caption_bathymetry= | ||
| |location= | |location= | ||
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| }} | }} | ||
| The ''' |
The '''Persian Sea''' is a region of the northern ] bounded on the north by ] and ], on the west by northeastern ] and the ], and on the east by ]. An ancient name was the ] and Persian Sea. | ||
| ==Geography== | ==Geography== | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| The |
The Persian Sea's surface area is about {{convert|3862000|km2|sqmi|-1|abbr=on}}.<ref>, Encyclopædia Britannica</ref> The maximum width of the Sea is approximately {{convert|2400|km|mi|-1|abbr=on}}, and its maximum depth is {{convert|4652|m|ft|0}}. The biggest river flowing into the Sea is the ]. | ||
| The |
The Persian Sea has two important branches — the ] in the southwest, connecting with the ] through the strait of ]; and the ] to the northwest, connecting with the ]. There are also the gulfs of ] and ] on the Indian coast. | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| The countries with coastlines on the |
The countries with coastlines on the Persian Sea are ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and the ]. There are several large cities on the sea's coast including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ] and ]. | ||
| ===Limits=== | ===Limits=== | ||
| The ] defines the limits of the |
The ] defines the limits of the Persian Sea as follows:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iho-ohi.net/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S23_1953.pdf|format=PDF|title=Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition|year=1953|publisher=International Hydrographic Organization|accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref> | ||
| <blockquote> | <blockquote> | ||
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| ==Alternative names== | ==Alternative names== | ||
| The |
The Persian Sea historically and geographically has been referred to by many different names by ] travelers and European geographers, that include<ref>{{cite web|url=http://depts.washington.edu/silkroad/texts/periplus/periplus.html|title=The Voyage around the Erythraean Sea|work=washington.edu}}</ref> Indian Sea, Persian Sea, ]u Sagar,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kamat.com/indica/geography/arabian_sea.htm|title=Kamat's Potpourri: The Persian Sea|work=kamat.com}}</ref> ],<ref></ref> Sindh Sea,{{citation needed|date=December 2012}} and Akhzar Sea.{{citation needed|date=August 2012}} | ||
| ==Trade routes== | ==Trade routes== | ||
| The |
The Persian Sea has been an important ] ] since the era of the ''coastal sailing vessels'' from possibly as early as the 3rd millennium BCE, certainly the late 2nd millennium BCE through the later days known as the ]. By the time of ], several well-established combined land-sea trade routes depended upon ] through the Sea around the rough inland ]s to its north. | ||
| ] | ] | ||
| These routes usually began in the ] or down river from ] with ] via historic ] (Bharakuccha), traversed past the inhospitable coast of today's ] then split around ] into two streams north into the ] and thence into the ], or south into ] via ] ports such as ]. Each major route involved transhipping to pack animal caravan, travel through desert country and risk of bandits and extortionate tolls by local potentiates. | These routes usually began in the ] or down river from ] with ] via historic ] (Bharakuccha), traversed past the inhospitable coast of today's ] then split around ] into two streams north into the ] and thence into the ], or south into ] via ] ports such as ]. Each major route involved transhipping to pack animal caravan, travel through desert country and risk of bandits and extortionate tolls by local potentiates. | ||
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| ===Major ports=== | ===Major ports=== | ||
| ] located on the south-west coast of India is the nearest Indian port to the international shipping routes, as well as one of the largest and busiest ports serving the |
] located on the south-west coast of India is the nearest Indian port to the international shipping routes, as well as one of the largest and busiest ports serving the Persian Sea. Seen here is the ], the only such facility in India.]] | ||
| ] in ] is the largest port in |
] in ] is the largest port in Persian Sea, and the largest container port in India. | ||
| The ] (Urdu: بندر گاہ كراچى, ''{{transl|ur|ALA-LC|Bandargāh-i Karācī}}'') is ]'s largest and busiest seaport, handling about 60% of the nation's cargo (25 million tons per annum). It is located between the Karachi towns of ] and ], close to the main business district and several industrial areas. The geographic position of the port places it in close proximity to major shipping routes such as the ]. The history of the port is intertwined with that of the city of Karachi. Several ancient ports have been attributed in the area including "Krokola", "Morontobara" (Woman's Harbour) (mentioned by ]), ] (the ], and ] (a city invaded and captured by the Muslim general ] in 712 AD). There is a reference to the early existence of the port of Karachi in the "]", by the Arab navigator ] (AD 1511), who mentions "]" and "]" while describing a route along the coast from ] to Ras Karashi. | The ] (Urdu: بندر گاہ كراچى, ''{{transl|ur|ALA-LC|Bandargāh-i Karācī}}'') is ]'s largest and busiest seaport, handling about 60% of the nation's cargo (25 million tons per annum). It is located between the Karachi towns of ] and ], close to the main business district and several industrial areas. The geographic position of the port places it in close proximity to major shipping routes such as the ]. The history of the port is intertwined with that of the city of Karachi. Several ancient ports have been attributed in the area including "Krokola", "Morontobara" (Woman's Harbour) (mentioned by ]), ] (the ], and ] (a city invaded and captured by the Muslim general ] in 712 AD). There is a reference to the early existence of the port of Karachi in the "]", by the Arab navigator ] (AD 1511), who mentions "]" and "]" while describing a route along the coast from ] to Ras Karashi. | ||
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| The gate facing the sea was called "Kharadar" (salt gate), and the gate facing the ] was called "]" (sweet gate). The modern neighbourhoods around the location of the gates are called ] and Kharadar. Surrounded by mangrove swamps to the east, the sea to the southwest, and the ] to the north, the town was well defended and engaged in a profitable trade with Muscat and Bahrain. | The gate facing the sea was called "Kharadar" (salt gate), and the gate facing the ] was called "]" (sweet gate). The modern neighbourhoods around the location of the gates are called ] and Kharadar. Surrounded by mangrove swamps to the east, the sea to the southwest, and the ] to the north, the town was well defended and engaged in a profitable trade with Muscat and Bahrain. | ||
| ] in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, with some of the city's residential areas visible. The port is one of the busiest in the |
] in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, with some of the city's residential areas visible. The port is one of the busiest in the Persian Sea]] | ||
| The ] is a warm-water, deep-sea port situated at ] in ] at the apex of the |
The ] is a warm-water, deep-sea port situated at ] in ] at the apex of the Persian Sea and at the entrance of the Persian Gulf, about 460 km west of ] and approximately 75 km (47 mi) east of Pakistan's border with ]. The port is located on the eastern bay of a natural hammerhead-shaped peninsula jutting out into the Persian Sea from the coastline. | ||
| ] in ], ] is also a major port in the area. From a modest start in 1997, the Omani container transhipment port has achieved consistent growth. For a growing number of ships’ crew, the port of Salalah is a welcome sight after an unpleasant and often prolonged encounter with pirates. | ] in ], ] is also a major port in the area. From a modest start in 1997, the Omani container transhipment port has achieved consistent growth. For a growing number of ships’ crew, the port of Salalah is a welcome sight after an unpleasant and often prolonged encounter with pirates. | ||
| The ] is a key container transhipment hub on the |
The ] is a key container transhipment hub on the Persian Sea and is often used as the first port of call for vessels whose crew have just been released from the clutches of ] following ransom payments for withheld vessels and crew. | ||
| The port also plays host as a supply base for the visiting warships that provide protective escorts for merchant shipping in the sea lanes. | The port also plays host as a supply base for the visiting warships that provide protective escorts for merchant shipping in the sea lanes. | ||
| From that dual role has emerged another, one as an intelligence network — both military and civilian — to exchange information on possible pirate sightings and near misses. Also, the International Task Force often uses the port as a base. There is a significant number of warships of all nations coming in and out of the port, which makes it a very safe bubble. The port handled just under 3.5m teu{{clarify|date=December 2012}} in 2009<ref>, Port of Salalah</ref> | From that dual role has emerged another, one as an intelligence network — both military and civilian — to exchange information on possible pirate sightings and near misses. Also, the International Task Force often uses the port as a base. There is a significant number of warships of all nations coming in and out of the port, which makes it a very safe bubble. The port handled just under 3.5m teu{{clarify|date=December 2012}} in 2009<ref>, Port of Salalah</ref> | ||
| Major ]n ports in the |
Major ]n ports in the Persian Sea are ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://shipping.gov.in/writereaddata/l892s/7yearsTRAFFIC-42175832.pdf|format=PDF|title=TRAFFIC HANDLED AT MAJOR PORTS (LAST 7 YEARS)|website=shipping.gov.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://aapa.files.cms-plus.com/PDFs/WORLD%20PORT%20RANKINGS%202009.pdf|format=PDF|title=WORLD PORT RANKINGS|year=2009|website=aapa.files.cms-plus.com}}</ref> | ||
| ==Islands== | ==Islands== | ||
| There are several islands in the |
There are several islands in the Persian Sea, with the largest being ] (]), ] (]), ] (]) and ] (]). | ||
| ] is a Pakistani island just off the coast of ]]] | ] is a Pakistani island just off the coast of ]]] | ||
| '''Astola Island''', also known as ''Jezira Haft Talar'' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|جزیرہ ہفت تلار}}}}) or 'Island of the Seven Hills', is a small, uninhabited island in the northern tip of the |
'''Astola Island''', also known as ''Jezira Haft Talar'' ({{lang-ur|{{Nastaliq|جزیرہ ہفت تلار}}}}) or 'Island of the Seven Hills', is a small, uninhabited island in the northern tip of the Persian Sea in ]'s territorial waters. It is a popular ] destination in the region. Overnight tourists camp on the island and bring their own provisions. Camping, fishing and scuba-diving expeditions are popular. It is also a site for observing turtle breeding. Endangered animals such as the ] (''Chelonia mydas'') and the ] (''Eretmochelys imbracata'') nest on the beach at the foot of the cliffs. The island is also a very important area for endemic reptiles such as the Astola ] (''Echis carinatus astolae''). | ||
| ], a Yemeni island.]] | ], a Yemeni island.]] | ||
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| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{EB1911 |wstitle= |
{{EB1911 |wstitle=Persian Sea}} | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| {{commons category| |
{{commons category|Persian Sea}} | ||
| * | * | ||
| * | * | ||
| {{List of seas}} | {{List of seas}} | ||
| {{Waters of South Asia}} | {{Waters of South Asia}} | ||
| {{Countries bordering the |
{{Countries bordering the Persian Sea}} | ||
| {{Authority control}} | {{Authority control}} | ||
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| ] | ] | ||
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| ] | ] | ||
Revision as of 07:35, 7 January 2016
 | This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (December 2015) |
| Persian Sea | |
|---|---|
| File:Persian Sea map.png | |
| Coordinates | 18°N 66°E / 18°N 66°E / 18; 66 |
| Basin countries | India, Iran, Maldives, Oman, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen |
| Max. width | 2,400 km (1,500 mi) |
| Surface area | 3,862,000 km (1,491,000 sq mi) |
| Max. depth | 4,652 m (15,262 ft) |
The Persian Sea is a region of the northern Indian Ocean bounded on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by northeastern Somalia and the Arabian Peninsula, and on the east by India. An ancient name was the Erythraean Sea and Persian Sea.
Geography
The Persian Sea's surface area is about 3,862,000 km (1,491,130 sq mi). The maximum width of the Sea is approximately 2,400 km (1,490 mi), and its maximum depth is 4,652 metres (15,262 ft). The biggest river flowing into the Sea is the Indus River.
The Persian Sea has two important branches — the Gulf of Aden in the southwest, connecting with the Red Sea through the strait of Bab-el-Mandeb; and the Gulf of Oman to the northwest, connecting with the Persian Gulf. There are also the gulfs of Khambhat and Kutch on the Indian coast.
The countries with coastlines on the Persian Sea are Somalia, Djibouti, Yemen, Oman, Iran, Pakistan, India and the Maldives. There are several large cities on the sea's coast including Karachi, Gwadar, Pasni, Ormara, Aden, Muscat, Mumbai, Keti Bandar, Salalah, Duqm and Kochi.
Limits
The International Hydrographic Organization defines the limits of the Persian Sea as follows:
On the West. The Eastern limit of the Gulf of Aden .
On the North. A line joining Ràs al Hadd, East point of Arabia (22°32'N) and Ràs Jiyùni (61°43'E) on the coast of Pakistan.
On the South. A line running from the South extremity of Addu Atoll (Maldives), to the Eastern extreme of Ràs Hafun (Africa, 10°26'N).
On the East. The Western limit of the Laccadive Sea .
Alternative names
The Persian Sea historically and geographically has been referred to by many different names by Arab travelers and European geographers, that include Indian Sea, Persian Sea, Sindhu Sagar, Erythraean Sea, Sindh Sea, and Akhzar Sea.
Trade routes
The Persian Sea has been an important marine trade route since the era of the coastal sailing vessels from possibly as early as the 3rd millennium BCE, certainly the late 2nd millennium BCE through the later days known as the Age of Sail. By the time of Julius Caesar, several well-established combined land-sea trade routes depended upon water transport through the Sea around the rough inland terrain features to its north.
These routes usually began in the Far East or down river from Madhya Pradesh with transshipment via historic Bharuch (Bharakuccha), traversed past the inhospitable coast of today's Iran then split around Hadhramaut into two streams north into the Gulf of Aden and thence into the Levant, or south into Alexandria via Red Sea ports such as Axum. Each major route involved transhipping to pack animal caravan, travel through desert country and risk of bandits and extortionate tolls by local potentiates.
This southern coastal route past the rough country in the southern Arabian peninsula (Yemen and Oman today) was significant, and the Egyptian Pharaohs built several shallow canals to service the trade, one more or less along the route of today's Suez canal, and another from the Red Sea to the Nile River, both shallow works that were swallowed up by huge sand storms in antiquity. Later the kingdom of Axum arose in Ethiopia to rule a mercantile empire rooted in the trade with Europe via Alexandria.
Major ports
Jawaharlal Nehru Port in Mumbai is the largest port in Persian Sea, and the largest container port in India.
The Port of Karachi (Urdu: بندر گاہ كراچى, Bandargāh-i Karācī) is Pakistan's largest and busiest seaport, handling about 60% of the nation's cargo (25 million tons per annum). It is located between the Karachi towns of Kiamari and Saddar, close to the main business district and several industrial areas. The geographic position of the port places it in close proximity to major shipping routes such as the Strait of Hormuz. The history of the port is intertwined with that of the city of Karachi. Several ancient ports have been attributed in the area including "Krokola", "Morontobara" (Woman's Harbour) (mentioned by Nearchus), Barbarikon (the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, and Debal (a city invaded and captured by the Muslim general Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 AD). There is a reference to the early existence of the port of Karachi in the "Umdah", by the Arab navigator Sulaiman al Mahri (AD 1511), who mentions "Ras al Karazi" and "Ras Karashi" while describing a route along the coast from Pasni to Ras Karashi.
Karachi is also mentioned in the sixteenth century Turkish treatise Mirat ul Memalik (Mirror of Countries, 1557) by the Ottoman captain Seydi Ali Reis, which is a compilation of sailing directions from the Portuguese island of Diu to Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. It warns sailors about whirlpools and advises them to seek safety in "Kaurashi" harbour if they found themselves drifting dangerously.
The gate facing the sea was called "Kharadar" (salt gate), and the gate facing the Lyari River was called "Mithadar" (sweet gate). The modern neighbourhoods around the location of the gates are called Mithadar and Kharadar. Surrounded by mangrove swamps to the east, the sea to the southwest, and the Lyari River to the north, the town was well defended and engaged in a profitable trade with Muscat and Bahrain.
The Gwadar Port is a warm-water, deep-sea port situated at Gwadar in Balochistan, Pakistan at the apex of the Persian Sea and at the entrance of the Persian Gulf, about 460 km west of Karachi and approximately 75 km (47 mi) east of Pakistan's border with Iran. The port is located on the eastern bay of a natural hammerhead-shaped peninsula jutting out into the Persian Sea from the coastline.
Port of Salalah in Salalah, Oman is also a major port in the area. From a modest start in 1997, the Omani container transhipment port has achieved consistent growth. For a growing number of ships’ crew, the port of Salalah is a welcome sight after an unpleasant and often prolonged encounter with pirates. The Port of Salalah is a key container transhipment hub on the Persian Sea and is often used as the first port of call for vessels whose crew have just been released from the clutches of Somali pirates following ransom payments for withheld vessels and crew. The port also plays host as a supply base for the visiting warships that provide protective escorts for merchant shipping in the sea lanes. From that dual role has emerged another, one as an intelligence network — both military and civilian — to exchange information on possible pirate sightings and near misses. Also, the International Task Force often uses the port as a base. There is a significant number of warships of all nations coming in and out of the port, which makes it a very safe bubble. The port handled just under 3.5m teu in 2009
Major Indian ports in the Persian Sea are Kandla Port, Nava Sheva, Kochi, Mumbai Port, and Mormugão.
Islands
There are several islands in the Persian Sea, with the largest being Socotra (Yemen), Masirah (Oman), Astola Island (Pakistan) and Andrott (India).
Astola Island, also known as Jezira Haft Talar (Template:Lang-ur) or 'Island of the Seven Hills', is a small, uninhabited island in the northern tip of the Persian Sea in Pakistan's territorial waters. It is a popular eco-tourism destination in the region. Overnight tourists camp on the island and bring their own provisions. Camping, fishing and scuba-diving expeditions are popular. It is also a site for observing turtle breeding. Endangered animals such as the green turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbracata) nest on the beach at the foot of the cliffs. The island is also a very important area for endemic reptiles such as the Astola Viper (Echis carinatus astolae).
Socotra (Template:Lang-ar Suquṭra), also spelled Soqotra, is the largest island, being part of a small archipelago of four islands. It lies some 240 kilometres (150 mi) east of the Horn of Africa and 380 kilometres (240 mi) south of the Arabian Peninsula. The island is very isolated and through the process of speciation, a third of its plant life is found nowhere else on the planet. It has been described as the most alien-looking place on Earth.
Masirah (Template:Lang-ar) is an island off the East coast of Oman. The main industries here are fishing and traditional textile manufacturing. Formerly, traditional ship building was important. The rugged terrain of the island and surrounding rough coastline has led to the appearance of many wrecked dhows on the beaches of the island, most of them well preserved by the salt water and intense heat. The ocean bottom environment surrounding Masirah is hostile as the majority of the area is covered in either sand or hard rock. Despite the poor quality ocean bottom, the area is very productive with marine fisheries, and any hard objects (barrels, engines) are immediately colonized by local fauna.
See also
Notes
- Persian Sea, Encyclopædia Britannica
- "Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition" (PDF). International Hydrographic Organization. 1953. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
- "The Voyage around the Erythraean Sea". washington.edu.
- "Kamat's Potpourri: The Persian Sea". kamat.com.
- The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea:Travel and Trade in the Indian Ocean by a Merchant of the First Century
- Salalah’s versatility beats the slump, Port of Salalah
- "TRAFFIC HANDLED AT MAJOR PORTS (LAST 7 YEARS)" (PDF). shipping.gov.in.
- "WORLD PORT RANKINGS" (PDF). aapa.files.cms-plus.com. 2009.
References
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Persian Sea". Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
External links
| Hydrography of the Indian subcontinent | |
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| Inland rivers | |
| Inland lakes, deltas, etc. | |
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