Red Sea

About

The Red Sea is a significant body of water connecting the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. It stretches approximately 1,200 miles from Suez, Egypt, to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, separating Africa and Asia. The sea is bordered by six countries: Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Its maximum width is about 190 miles, and it reaches a depth of nearly 3,040 meters. The Red Sea is known for its high salinity, often exceeding 40 parts per thousand, due to low precipitation and high evaporation rates. The Red Sea is renowned for its vibrant coral reefs and diverse marine life, hosting over 1,200 species of fish and numerous types of coral. It is a vital shipping route, facilitating maritime trade between Europe and Asia. The sea's unique ecosystem supports a wide range of marine creatures, including sharks, turtles, and dolphins. Its coral reefs are crucial for biodiversity and are a major tourist attraction, contributing significantly to local economies through diving and tourism activities. The Red Sea's formation is linked to tectonic activity, with ongoing seafloor spreading that continues to shape its geological landscape.