Gulf of Suez
| Gulf of Suez | |
|---|---|
 Visible bodies are the Gulf of Suez (west, left in photo), the Gulf of Aqaba (east, right in photo), and the Red Sea (south, bottom left in photo). | |
 | |
| Location | Egypt |
| Coordinates | 28°45′N 33°00′E / 28.750°N 33.000°ECoordinates: 28°45′N 33°00′E / 28.750°N 33.000°E |
| Max. length | 314 km (195 mi) |
| Max. width | 32 km (20 mi) |
| Average depth | 40 m (130 ft) |
| Max. depth | 70 m (230 ft) |
The northern end of the Red Sea is bifurcated by the Sinai Peninsula, creating the Gulf of Suez (Arabic: خليج السويس; transliterated: Khalīǧ as-Suwais) in the west and the Gulf of Aqaba to the east. The Gulf of Suez is formed within a relatively young, but now inactive rift basin, the Gulf of Suez Rift, dating back about 28 million years.[1] It stretches some 300 kilometres (190 mi) north by northwest, terminating at the Egyptian city of Suez and the entrance to the Suez Canal. Along the mid-line of the Gulf lies the border between the continents of Africa and Asia.[2] The entrance of the Gulf lies atop the mature Gemsa oil and gas field.[3]
Geography
The Gulf of Suez occupies the northwestern arm of the Red Sea between Africa proper (west) and the Sinai Peninsula (east) of Egypt. It is the third arm of the triple junction rift system. The second arm of the triple junction system is the Gulf of Aqaba.
The length of the gulf, from its mouth at the Strait of Jubal to its head at the city of Suez, is 195 miles (314 km), and it varies in width from 12 to 20 miles (19 to 32 km).
Extent
The International Hydrographic Organization defines the southern limit of the Gulf of Suez as "A line running from Ras Muhammed (27°43'N) to the South point of Shadwan Island (34°02'E) and thence Westward on a parallel (27°27'N) to the coast of Africa".[4]
References
- ↑ http://geoinfo.amu.edu.pl/wpk/geos/GEO_2/GEO_PLATE_T-37.HTML Detailed geological information on the Gulf
- ↑ ISS EarthKAM: Images: Collections: Composite: Gulf of Suez, Egypt and Saudi Arabia
- ↑ "USGS Open File Report OF99-50-A Red Sea Basin Province (Province Geology)".
- ↑ "Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition". International Hydrographic Organization. 1953. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
