Mozambique Channel

Mozambique Channel

Location of Mozambique Channel
Coordinates 18°S 41°E / 18°S 41°E / -18; 41Coordinates: 18°S 41°E / 18°S 41°E / -18; 41
Type Arm
Part of Indian Ocean
Max. length 1,600 km (990 mi)
Max. width 419 km (260 mi)
Average depth 3,292 m (10,801 ft)

The Mozambique Channel (French: Canal du Mozambique, Malagasy: Lakandranon'i Mozambika, Portuguese: Canal de Moçambique) is an arm of the Indian Ocean located between Madagascar and Mozambique.[1] The channel is about 1,600 km (1,000 mi) long and 419 km (260 mi) across at its narrowest point, and reaches a depth of 3,292 m (10,800 ft) about 230 km (143 mi) off the coast of Mozambique. A warm current, the Mozambique Current, flows in a southward direction in the channel, leading into the Agulhas Current off the east coast of South Africa.[1]

Extent

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines the limits of the Mozambique Channel as follows:[2]

On the North. A line from the estuary of the River Rovuma (10°28′S 40°26′E / 10.467°S 40.433°E / -10.467; 40.433) to Ras Habu, the Northern point of Ile Grande Comore, the Northern of the Comore (Comoro) Islands, to Cap d'Ambre (Amber) the Northern extremity of Madagascar (11°57′S 49°17′E / 11.950°S 49.283°E / -11.950; 49.283).
On the East. The West coast of Madagascar.
On the South. A line from Cap Sainte-Marie, the Southern extreme of Madagascar to Ponto do Ouro on the mainland (26°53′S 32°56′E / 26.883°S 32.933°E / -26.883; 32.933).
On the West. The mainland of South Africa.

Despite being defined as the South African coast by the IHO, the western limit of the channel is more correctly defined as the coast of Southern Africa or, more specifically, of Mozambique.

Islands in the channel

Comoros

France

Mozambique

Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago

History

The Mozambique Channel was a World War II clashpoint during the Battle of Madagascar.

References

  1. 1 2 "Mozambique Channel". Encyclopædia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. 2015. Retrieved 2015-09-27.
  2. ↑ "Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition" (PDF). International Hydrographic Organization. 1953. Retrieved 7 February 2010.
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