The Major Straits of the World

There are several kinds of landforms in the world, and they are situated in all corners. A strait is one such landform, and there are many major and minor stairs situated in multiple locations. Here you would come to know about the major straits of the world along with their locations. However, it is important to know what is a strait and how in a few cases, it is geographically important. There is a list of the major straits of the world in the latter part of the article. The primary reasons for which you need to know about the straits are their uniqueness and geographic location. In many cases, the major straits of the world act as a natural geographical border between two countries. 

What is a strait?

A strait is a passage that is navigable and has been formed naturally. It is like a tiny pass between two oceans or water bodies. Geographically it can be termed as a channel that has landmasses on both sides.

Apart from modern geography and historical books, some straits and their legacies are mentioned in the ancient scriptures of the old civilisations. While most straits are navigable, some of them are not navigable. Ships are unable to pass from these straits as they are very shallow. Sedimentation is quite common for all major straits of the world. In some parts of the world, these straits are known as loci.

As per the theory of landforms, the straits can be the primary condition for a delta. However, the process of transformation of a strait to a delta is too gradual and can take many years. This happens exactly due to the sand-sized deposits.

List of Major Straits

The list of major Straits in the World is given below. Here, the basic details of all the straits are mentioned as they can be easier for you to understand. 

1. Malacca Strait

The Malacca Strait is a connecting pass between the Andaman Sea and the South China Sea. It has a lot of maritime importance due to its location. It is one of the primary places from where many ships sailing to Indonesia and Malaysia pass. 

The Malacca Strait can always top the list as it is the largest strait in the world. The total length of the Malacca Strait is 800 km. 

2. Taurus Strait

The Taurus Strait is located between Papua New Guinea and Australia. It is another main strait in the southern hemisphere. As many ships pass through this strait, it also has a lot of geographic importance. 

3. North Channel

North Channel is one of the major straits of the world, and it is a busy one as it is located between Ireland and England. It is the connecting area between the Atlantic Ocean and the Irish Sea. North Channel 

4. Palk Strait

The Palk Strait is located amidst India and Sri Lanka. It is one of the major geographical landmarks which is mentioned in the ancient Hindu scripture, Ramayana. It is a shallow strait that separates the land of two countries.

No big ships can pass through this strait, and it makes the maritime journey between India and Sri Lanka longer than usual. 

5. The English Channel

The English Channel geographically falls in the Strait of Dover. It has international fame as several swimmers have chosen this spot for a sea swimming session. The Strait of Dover divides the European landmass (coastline of France) and the British Isles.

If we say more specifically, it falls between the Celtic and the North Seas. This channel is also navigable, and a lot of ships pass through it. The Dover Strait always has cold weather as the temperature of the water remains 20 degrees Celcius as an average high and can fall up to 5 degrees Celsius in winters. 

6. Tsugaru Strait

The Tsugaru Strait is yet another famous strait in the northern hemisphere. It is located in Japan, and it joins the Japan Sea with the mighty Pacific Ocean. The area of the strait can be best witnessed from the Honshu-Hokkaido Islands in Japan.

The former name of this strait was the Strait of Sangar. It is one of the most sensitive straits in the world as the US Navy Ships often pass from this strait. Due to this phenomenon, Japan gets only 3.5 nautical miles as the maritime extension, unlike for all other countries, it is 12. 

7. Davis Strait

The Davis Strait falls between two countries such as Greenland and Canada. It joins the Atlantic Ocean and the Baffin Bay. This strait is yet another shallow strait with a depth less than the Labrador Sea in the south.

The Davis Strait is mostly known as an Arctic Strait, and the US survey reports show that there might be some oil deposits in this area. There are a lot of concession areas in the Davis Strait. 

8. Bonne- Fazio Strait

The Bonne- Fazio Strait is another unique strait by its formation. It joins the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The countries which fall in its line are Sardinia and Corsica. This strait is shorter than most others on the list. However, it is one of the major straits of the world due to its maritime importance. 

Many ships sail through this state, and international borders are also present in this location. 

9. The Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the most beautiful straits of the world when it comes to its landform. The Hormuz Strait falls between two countries, Oman and Iran. The length of this strait is only 21 nautical miles. 

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A unique fact to know about this strait is TSS. The Traffic Separation Scheme is followed by all the ships passing through this area. This is ensured as no collision between the ships occurs.

Lately, the Iranian Government has allowed transit passage under the UNCLOS. This shortens the distance for the people of Oman to reach the mainland of Asia. 

10.  Foveaux Strait

The Foveaux Strait joins the Stewart Islands and the South Island of New Zealand. The local name of this Strait is ‘Te Ara a Kewa’, which means it is a path for the whales to pass. The pioneer who charted this strait for the first time was Owen Folger Smith.

There is the historical importance of this strait as it was used as a whaling station during the colonial period. This, however, dates back to the nineteenth century. As per the worldwide fame, the Foveaux Strait is known for the presence of the Bluff oyster in this area. 

11. Formosa or Taiwan Strait

When it comes to the busiest straits in the world, the Formosa Strait can claim the top position on the list. It is located between the South and the East China Sea. China being a densely populated country, its connection with Taiwan is enriched. Goods and passenger boats are running now and then through the Formosa Strait.  It is well known as the Taiwan Strait in Taiwan. The meaning of Formosa is Black Ditch. 

Fun Facts about Straits

Before you go through the list of the major straits, it is better you know some fun facts about it. Have a look at the following points:

• Apart from the pass, channel, and passage, a strait is also known as Kyle or Scotland Firths.

• The straits have been the most convenient way for the explorers and warship sailors.

• The Suez Canal that has been built by human beings, is also a kind of strait.