In the process of studying the water world, people are faced with the nuances of defining its various elements, sometimes confusing one with the other. We are talking about such subtle concepts as a channel or a strait. What is special about them that distinguishes them from other water formations? Let's figure it out.
Meaning of the word strait
Let's start with a definition. Let's study the word strait itself. It is formed by a prefix and a root. The latter is consonant with the word "pour". If we connect, we get a canal that connects two reservoirs.
That is a jumper along which the oceans equalize the water level in their reservoirs. It is clear that nature naturally takes care to make a strait. What should happen in nature so that harmony is not disturbed can be understood by experience. It is best to spend it on the beach. Make two small slides with recesses in the middle. Fill one with water. See what happens. Water will try to find its way to the "ocean level", wash away the barrier and rush into the second depression. It should only be taken into account that all this should take place not on land, but in the water column, since only smallpieces of continents or islands limit the "strait". What is happening there, in the depths of the ocean, let's look at examples.
What are they like
When classifying straits, two unambiguous characteristics are used: what is connected and what is limited. If everything is not so simple with the first sign - the channel can be formed by one reservoir, then it is customary to navigate according to the second. We will also build on it.
Mainland-Mainland. Such a strait limits the lands belonging to large formations. For example, the Kerch Strait. It is small on its own. Connects the Black and Azov seas. And the continental lands serve as its edges.
Island-island. In this case, the strait is a narrow body of water, which is formed by relatively small areas of land. An example is Bonifacio. Along its shores are the islands of Sardinia and Corsica. The third type of straits, of course, is located within the boundaries of the mainland - a small piece of land. For example, Mozambique. Its waters wash Madagascar on one side and the African continent on the other.
Shipping
From the point of view of use, humanity is interested in how deep the strait is. What is an advantage (and even with a natural flow) convenient for ships has been known since ancient times, when there were no engines. Then sailors tried to use the straits for more convenient movement. Now captains have other tasks. They try to shorten the path, using any advantage of the open space of the sea. In this sense, the straits differ in depth (notan ocean liner can enter everyone), as well as by the method of formation. These include some artificial channels. There are two of them: Suez and Corinth. It should be noted that natural and artificial straits play a huge role in the global economy.
In addition, it is known that narrow channels, mainly in inland seas, have political significance. Whoever controls them can influence the situation in the region.
Bay and Strait
What is the difference between these elements of the oceans is not as clear as it seems at first glance. Each of them is located next to the land, can connect the seas and oceans. Only the strait is a space bounded by two land areas, from different sides. In contrast, the bay overlooks the expanses of the world's oceans in a large area. That is, it is in contact with the land on only one side, often with an arc. The rest of the space flows into the waters of that formation of the world ocean, which is located nearby.
Record
The longest Strait of Mozambique is located in the Indian Ocean. By itself, it is larger than many seas. Its dimensions are: length - 1670 km, width - 925 km. Its depth is also impressive - about 3 km.
