Arabian Sea, Map, Location, Countries, Significance

Arabian Sea

The Arabian Sea is an area of the northern Indian Ocean bounded on the north by Pakistan, Iran, and the Gulf of Oman, on the west by the Gulf of Aden, the Guardafui Channel, and the Arabian Peninsula, on the southeast by the Laccadive Sea, the Somali Sea, and on the east by India. The Gulf of Aden connects the Arabian Sea to the Red Sea via the Bab-el-Mandeb strait in the west, while the Gulf of Oman connects the Arabian Sea to the Persian Gulf in the northwest.

Read More: Atlantic Ocean

Arabian Sea in India Map

Here is the Arabian Sea in India Map to understand the geographical location of the Arabian Sea region:

Where is the Arabian Sea Located

The Arabian Sea is a region of the northwestern part of the Indian Ocean, situated between the Arabian Peninsula (to the west) and the Indian subcontinent (to the east). It is a body of water that connects the Red Sea to the northwest with the Gulf of Oman to the southeast.

Arabian Sea Countries

The Arabian Sea is bordered by several countries namely Yemen, Oman, Pakistan, Iran, India, and the Maldives. All have coastlines on the Arabian Sea. It is an arm of the Indian Ocean and is located between the Arabian Peninsula and the Indian Subcontinent.

Read about: Pacific Ocean

Arabian Sea Islands

The most important islands in the Arabian Sea are the Lakshadweep Islands (India), Socotra (Yemen), Masirah (Oman), and Astola Island (Pakistan).

The Lakshadweep Islands (formerly known as the Laccadive, Minicoy, and Aminidivi Islands) are a group of islands in the Arabian Sea’s Laccadive Sea region, 200 to 440 km (120 to 270 mi) off India’s southwestern coast. The archipelago is a union territory governed by India’s Union Government. The islands are India’s smallest union territory, with a total surface area of only 32 km2 (12 sq mi). The Maldives islands are located nearby. These islands are all part of the Lakshadweep-Maldives-Chagos island group.

Zalzala Koh was a new island that had only been around for a few years. The mud island formed as a result of the 2013 earthquake in Pakistan. The island was completed in 2016.

Read More: South China Sea

Arabian Sea Geography

The Arabian Sea has a surface area of approximately 3,862,000 km2 (1,491,130 sq mi). The sea’s maximum width is about 2,400 km (1,490 mi), and its maximum depth is 4,652 metres (15,262 ft). The Indus River is the largest river that flows into the Arabian Sea. The Arabian Sea has two major branches:

• The Gulf of Aden is in the southwest, which connects with the Red Sea via the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, and
• The Gulf of Oman is in the northwest, which connects with the Persian Gulf.

On the Indian coast, there are also the Gulfs of Khambhat and Kutch. It has a maximum depth of about 5,450 meters and is known for its high salinity and monsoon winds.

Read about: Indian Ocean Dipole

Arabian Sea Significance

Since the era of coastal sailing vessels, possibly as early as the third millennium BCE, and certainly from the late second millennium BCE through the later days known as the Age of Sail, the Arabian Sea has been an important marine trade route. The sea is a major shipping route connecting the Indian Ocean and the Persian Gulf and is also a source of fishing and oil resources.

The Arabian Sea is located at the crossroads of several major shipping lanes and is home to several major ports, making it a vital route for global trade and commerce. The sea is rich in oil and natural gas resources and is an important source of energy for the region.

The sea is an important area for naval operations and is home to several naval bases, including those of India, Iran, and the United States. The sea borders several important countries, including Iran, Pakistan, and India, and is therefore of strategic importance for regional security and stability. The sea is a major transit hub for goods and people travelling between Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. The sea is a major source of fish and other seafood, providing food and income for local communities.

Read More: East China Sea

Arabian Sea UPSC

With its strategic location in relation to the Red Sea (including the Suez Canal) and the Persian Gulf, the Arabian Sea contains some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, and the main routes originate in those two extensions. In this article, you will get to know about the details of the Arabian sea that would be useful for the UPSC exam.

Read More: Ocean Tides

Other Indian Geography Topics

Other Fundamental Geography Topics

Sharing is caring!