Located between the African and Asian continents. The Red Sea facts is an important body of water. In terms of international trade, tourism, and the rich and diverse marine life it supports. The Red Sea is a gulf of the Indian Ocean that is connected to the south. By the Strait of Bahr el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden. It is also to the north, by the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba, and the Gulf of Suez. The region is home to a number of important ports and jetties that handle a large portion of the world’s cargo. As well as attractive beaches that attract people from far and wide. Not only is the Red Sea beautiful, but its waters are said to have health-promoting properties.
15 Facts About The Red Sea
The World’s Northernmost Tropical Sea Covers 438,000 Km² Of The Global 200 Ecoregion.
With a surface area of about 438,000 square kilometres or 169,000 square miles. The red sea facts is 2,250 km or 1,400 miles long and also 355 km wide at its widest point. It has an average depth of 490 m, reaching a maximum depth of 3,040 m in the central Suakin Trough. Forty percent of the ocean is less than 100 metres deep, and also these shallow waters. Contain underwater shelves that are home to life in the form of colourful corals and also small fish receptacles.
Various Naming Theories
There are many theories as to why the Red Sea was so named. One theory is that the aquatic bacteria Trichodesmium erythrasma. Blooms seasonally near the surface, staining the sea red for a time. Scientists argue that the name “Red” may refer to the south. Just as the name of the Black Sea may refer to the north. Modern scholars say this is true in some Asian languages, where colors were used to indicate direction. Historians have also found evidence of this; for example, Herodotus once used the terms “Red Sea” and “South Sea” interchangeably. Some claim that the name of the Red Sea comes from a nearby red mountain range called Harei Edom.
The Red Sea Is Mentioned In The Holy Scriptures, The Quran, And The Bible
Many places in the world are mentioned in religious books, and the Red Sea is one of them. It is mentioned in both the Quran and the Bible. According to the biblical story, when the Israelites reached the Red Sea, they were pursued and stopped by the Egyptians. But God parted the waters so that the Israelites could cross the sea and reach safe land.
Ancient Egyptians First Explored The Red Sea.
In an attempt to establish a trade route to Punt. The Ancient Egyptians sent out voyages to explore the Red Sea. 2500 BC and 1500 BCIn the 4th century BC, Hatshepsut. The royal wife of Pharaoh Thutmose II, made two such journeys. Darius the Great, Persian Achaemenid ruler in the 6th century BC. BC took many steps to explore and improve navigation on this sea. He sent men to remove stones and other obstacles. Documented it at sea, and even built a canal that is now called the ancient Suez Canal.
Important Trade Route From Ancient Times:
It has always been an important trade route throughout history. Starting under Augustus, when the Roman Empire gained influence in the Mediterranean. The northern areas around the Red Sea, and Egypt, trade between Rome and the Indian subcontinent was important. Roman contact with China also depended on its waters. It was also known for the slave trade from Africa. In the Middle Ages, it was part of the spice trade route. And Muslim pilgrims passed through here on their way to Mecca. During the Middle Ages, it was an important part of the spice trade route.
The Fastest Fish In The World Lives In The Red Sea.
The coral reefs of the southern Red Sea are home to some of the most unique marine life. In fact, about 20% of the fish found here are found nowhere else in the world. But that’s not all: the fastest fish in the world, the sailfish. Also lives in the waters of the Red Sea. Sailfish grow to about one meter in length and can reach speeds of about 108 miles per hour. While humans can only reach speeds of 3-6 miles per hour.
One Of The World’s Saltiest Bodies Of Water To Swim
In, the Red Sea has high evaporation rates and low precipitation, making it highly saline. There are also no major rivers that flow into the sea. And it has a narrow connection with the Gulf of Aden. In the south, the salinity is about 36 percent. While in the north, near the Gulf of Suez, it is 40 percent. Saltwater is, therefore, heavy, allowing relatively light bodies and humans to float easily on the surface of the Red Sea.
Rich In Mineral Resources
The Red Sea is rich in a wide variety of marine flora and fauna. However, it is also known for its mineral deposits, the most common of which are evaporites, petroleum deposits, sulfur, and phosphates. The Red Sea also has oil and natural gas reserves.
The Red Sea Is Home To 1,200 Species Of Fish And Extensive Coral Reefs.
It is home to 1,200 species of fish, about 10% of which are found nowhere else in the world. This includes 42 species of deep-sea fish. These fish thrive on 2,000 kilometers of coral reefs along the coast. These are usually fringing reefs that are 5,000-7,000 years old and are composed mainly of Acropora and Porites corals. These reefs form platforms and lagoons along the Red Sea coast and, in some cases, other cylindrical reefs such as Blue Horn near Dahab.
A Paradise For Scuba Divers And Snorkelers
Many places in the Red Sea offer diving and snorkeling. The best places in Egypt are Marsa Alam, Safaga, El Quseir, Makadi Bay, and Dahab. They are unique because they are numerous. The Red Sea is home to several offshore coral reefs and atolls, most of which are unusual formations that defy Darwin’s classification of coral reefs due to the high levels of tectonic activity that characterize the region. The Egyptian government has recognized the biodiversity of the Red Sea and established Ras Mohammed National Park, which contains some of the best diving sites.
One of the most popular diving and snorkeling spots in the Red Sea is Sharm el-Sheikh, at the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula, known for its luxury resorts along Naama Bay. Marsa Alam, Egypt, is famous for its pristine beaches, the award-winning Concorde Moreen Beach Resort & Spa, and the Red Sea The Palace, which offers access to beautiful coral reefs and rich marine biodiversity.
There Are 18 Desalination Plants Along The Red Sea.
The demand for desalinated water is increasing, especially to meet the needs of the growing population, local industries, and factories. As a result, about 18 desalination plants are operating along the Red Sea coast, discharging hot water, chlorine and antioxidants that are harmful to the corals, bleaching and killing them and causing fish diseases.
There Are 521 Islands In The Red Sea.
Of these, over 39 islands belong to the Red Sea Governorate. These include Abu Minkar, Sahih Hasheesh, Qaysm, Umm al-Qayyan, and others. In 2016, two islands, Tiran and Sanafir, were transferred from Egypt to Saudi Arabia.
The Red Sea Was Formed After Continental Drift
During the Eocene, Arabia and Africa began to separate, and this process continued at an accelerated pace during the Oligocene. The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden were formed when the Arabian Plate separated from Nubia, and a new ocean was formed along the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Red Sea is relatively new, said to be only 6-8 million years old.
The Red Sea Is Home To Many Historic Shipwrecks
Including the SS Thistlegorm and the SS Carnatic. The former was a British merchant ship during World War II that was sunk after being bombed by German forces. Its wreck lies at a depth of 30 meters or 100 feet. The latter was a British steamship that carried passengers and cargo. It sank after colliding with a coral reef in the Red Sea in 1869.
The Red Sea Is Warm Most Of The Year
The Red Sea is located near the Tropic of Cancer, which keeps it warm. The average temperature here is around 18 degrees Celsius, even in the winter months of December and January. In summer, it easily reaches 28 degrees Celsius. So, if you are planning a visit to the Red Sea, there is no need to worry as the sea remains calm and comfortable all year round.
Conclusion
These facts about Red Sea is a remarkable body of water known for its rich marine life. It is also a tourist hotspot for diving enthusiasts and beachgoers looking to enjoy some peace and quiet. Its breathtaking scenery leaves visitors in awe of its beauty and splendor. It is also an important trade route across the sea, with its strategic location seeing thousands of ships passing through it annually. Beautiful coral reefs, beach resorts, warm crystal clear waters filled with majestic creatures, and historical sites along the coast are some of the things that draw people to the Red Sea.
