Major Straits of the World
Straits are narrow passages of water that connect two larger bodies of water and are bordered by land on two sides. They hold significant geopolitical, strategic, and economic importance due to their role in international navigation and maritime trade.
Strategic Importance of Straits
- Global Trade: Over 80% of global trade by volume is conducted through maritime routes, many of which pass through key straits.
- Chokepoints: Straits act as chokepoints—control over them can influence global energy supplies and military movement.
- Geopolitics: Nations often contest straits due to their location and strategic value in international diplomacy and security.
Major Straits of the World
List of Major Straits of the World
Below is a detailed list of important straits, their locations, and their significance:
| Strait | Connects | Separates | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strait of Gibraltar | Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea | Spain (Europe) and Morocco (Africa) | Vital for entry into the Mediterranean; heavy oil trade route. |
| Bab-el-Mandeb | Red Sea and Gulf of Aden (Arabian Sea) | Yemen (Asia) and Djibouti/Eritrea (Africa) | Gateway to the Suez Canal; key energy chokepoint. |
| Strait of Hormuz | Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman | Iran and UAE/Oman | World’s most critical oil transit chokepoint. |
| Malacca Strait | Andaman Sea and South China Sea | Peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra (Indonesia) | Shortest route between Indian and Pacific Oceans; piracy-prone. |
| Bering Strait | Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea (Arctic Ocean) | Russia (Siberia) and Alaska (USA) | Site of US-Russia maritime boundary; Arctic navigation route. |
| Bosporus Strait | Black Sea and Sea of Marmara | European and Asian parts of Turkey | Controls access to Black Sea; Istanbul lies on its banks. |
| Dardanelles Strait | Sea of Marmara and Aegean Sea | European and Asian Turkey | Together with Bosporus, forms Turkish Straits; historic route. |
| Palk Strait | Bay of Bengal and Gulf of Mannar | India (Tamil Nadu) and Sri Lanka | Region of cultural & trade ties; shallow waters. |
| Sunda Strait | Java Sea and Indian Ocean | Java and Sumatra (Indonesia) | Alternative route to Malacca; volcanic activity (Krakatoa). |
| Lombok Strait | Bali Sea and Indian Ocean | Bali and Lombok Islands (Indonesia) | Deep and wide; major alternative to Malacca for large ships. |
| Cook Strait | Tasman Sea and South Pacific Ocean | North and South Islands of New Zealand | Known for strong currents; essential domestic link. |
| Mozambique Channel | Indian Ocean | Madagascar and Mozambique | Used for Southern Ocean to Suez route; piracy concerns. |
| Torres Strait | Arafura Sea and Coral Sea | Australia and Papua New Guinea | Important for regional shipping; shallow and reef-laden. |
| Korea Strait | East China Sea and Sea of Japan | South Korea and Japan | High commercial and military navigation area. |
| English Channel (Dover Strait) | Atlantic Ocean and North Sea | England (UK) and France | World’s busiest maritime route; Dover-Calais ferry line. |
| Tsugaru Strait | Sea of Japan and Pacific Ocean | Honshu and Hokkaido Islands (Japan) | Strategic military zone; access to Pacific. |
| Strait of Tartary | Sea of Okhotsk and Sea of Japan | Russian mainland and Sakhalin Island | Key passage in Russian Far East. |
Key Straits and Oil Transit
Some straits are globally crucial for oil and gas shipping:
- Strait of Hormuz: Around 20% of the world’s petroleum passes through it.
- Strait of Malacca: Major East Asian trade route, especially for China and Japan.
- Bab el-Mandeb: Connects Europe with Asian oil markets via Suez Canal.
Straits and International Law
- Governed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
- Ships enjoy transit passage rights in straits used for international navigation.
Interesting Facts
- Gibraltar, Bosporus, and Hormuz have historically been flashpoints in global conflicts.
- The Bering Strait is only ~85 km wide, and frozen in winter, making it theoretically crossable.
- The English Channel was used for the D-Day invasion during WWII.
Conclusion
Major straits of the world are not just geographical features but are of immense strategic, economic, and political importance. In the era of global trade, energy security, and regional rivalries, control and safe navigation through these straits have become essential for international stability.
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