๐ Topic 02 of 6 ยท Chapter 12 ยท World Political Geography
Important Straits of the World
Hormuz, Malacca, Gibraltar, Bab-el-Mandeb, Palk Strait โ complete notes for UPSC & PSC exams.
๐ Major Straits of the World
| Strait | Connects | Between | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strait of Hormuz | Persian Gulf โ Arabian Sea | Iran / Oman | World’s most important oil chokepoint; 20% of world’s oil passes through |
| Strait of Malacca | Indian Ocean โ South China Sea | Malaysia / Indonesia / Singapore | Busiest shipping lane in world; 80,000 ships/year |
| Strait of Gibraltar | Atlantic Ocean โ Mediterranean Sea | Spain / Morocco | “Gateway to Mediterranean”; 14 km wide at narrowest |
| Bab-el-Mandeb | Red Sea โ Gulf of Aden | Yemen / Djibouti | Gateway to Suez Canal; strategic for oil trade |
| Palk Strait | Bay of Bengal โ Gulf of Mannar | India / Sri Lanka | Separates India from Sri Lanka; shallow; Adam’s Bridge |
| Strait of Magellan | Atlantic โ Pacific Ocean | Southern Chile | Connects Atlantic and Pacific at southern tip of South America |
| Bering Strait | Pacific โ Arctic Ocean | Russia / Alaska (USA) | Separates Asia from North America; 85 km wide |
| Dover Strait | North Sea โ English Channel | UK / France | Narrowest point of English Channel; 34 km wide |
| Lombok Strait | Java Sea โ Indian Ocean | Indonesia | Alternative to Malacca Strait for large ships |
| Sunda Strait | Java Sea โ Indian Ocean | Indonesia | Between Java and Sumatra; Krakatoa volcano nearby |
โญ Key Facts โ Straits:
โข Strait of Hormuz = most important oil chokepoint = 20% of world’s oil
โข Strait of Malacca = busiest shipping lane = 25% of world trade
โข Palk Strait = separates India from Sri Lanka = shallow
โข Bab-el-Mandeb = gateway to Suez Canal = Yemen/Djibouti
โข Bering Strait = separates Asia (Russia) from North America (Alaska)
โข Strait of Hormuz = most important oil chokepoint = 20% of world’s oil
โข Strait of Malacca = busiest shipping lane = 25% of world trade
โข Palk Strait = separates India from Sri Lanka = shallow
โข Bab-el-Mandeb = gateway to Suez Canal = Yemen/Djibouti
โข Bering Strait = separates Asia (Russia) from North America (Alaska)