We explain what the Red Sea is, its physical characteristics and its extensive biodiversity. In addition, its geological formation and its economic importance.
What is the Red Sea?
The Red Sea is a body of salt water located between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is bordered to the north by the Sinai Peninsula, the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez, and to the south by the Gulf of Aden. The countries surrounding it are Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Yemen, Eritrea, Israel, Djibouti and Jordan.
Its surface is 440 thousand km2with a length of more than 2,000 kilometers and a maximum width of 355 kilometers, which gives it a long and narrow shape. Its average depth is 490 meters.
The Red Sea is home to great biodiversity and houses, among its thousands of animal and plant species, unique specimens in the world.
Why is it called the Red Sea? The origin of the name is not known, since the waters of this sea are not red. One hypothesis has to do with the fact that the ancient Egyptians referred to this sea as the “Sea of the Himarites” in the name of a local tribe that was known for dyeing their clothes and bodies with red dyes.
On the other hand, it is believed that perhaps the name comes from a translation error of the Hebrew term Yam Suph, which means “sea of reeds.” The term “juncos” in English is reedswhich is written and pronounced very similar to gridwhich means “red” in that language.
How was the Red Sea formed?
The main hypothesis about the geological origin of the Red Sea maintains that began to form 30 to 55 million years agowhen the African tectonic plate began to separate from the Arabian plate. The space between these plates filled with water and gave rise to the Red Sea. The separation of these plates also created a fracture in the crust known as the “Red Sea Ridge” and a chain of volcanoes that is submerged under its waters.
The movements and interaction between the African and Arabian plates generate tensions that can produce earthquakes. The volcanic activity of the area has also contributed to the formation and geological evolution of the Red Sea.as well as the creation of some of its islands. Volcanic eruptions are frequent, mainly on the Dahlak Islands and the Zubair Islands.
Physical properties of the Red Sea
The Red Sea has water exchange only with the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean. Unlike most seas, no river or stream flows into it.
The salinity of the Red Sea is very highon average around 40%. This is due to the high evaporation rate of its waters due to the heat of the region, the lack of precipitation due to the extremely dry climate and the absence of freshwater rivers that flow into it.
It is one of the warmest seas in the worldwith temperatures varying between 26 °C and 30 °C in summer and between 22 °C and 28 °C in winter.
Red Sea biodiversity
In addition to corals, there is a wide variety of flora and fauna in the Red Sea. There are approximately 1,200 species of fishamong which are whitetip sharks and lionfish.
There are also mollusks and other vertebrates such as giant clams and rays. Among the reptiles, various species of turtles stand out, such as leatherback turtles and hawksbill turtles.
The seabed is covered with algae, grasses and seagrass beds. where the various animal species find abundant food.
coral reefs
The Red Sea is known for being a rich and diverse marine habitat, with a large number of species of fish, invertebrates and corals. The combination of The warm water temperature and high salinity of the Red Sea makes it an ideal environment for marine life..
Marine corals are colonial animals that establish themselves in tropical and subtropical waters and form reefs, that is, structures formed by the calcium carbonate that these animals secrete. Coral reefs form in shallow waters where sunlight can penetrate and allow the photosynthesis of the algae that inhabit the corals. These algae provide food and energy to corals. and contribute to the construction of reefs.
The coral reefs of the Red Sea are considered some of the most spectacular and best preserved in the world.
Coastal countries and cities
The main cities that are located on the coasts of the Red Sea are:
| Country | Major coastal cities on the Red Sea |
|---|---|
| Egypt | Hurghada Safaga Sharm el Sheikh |
| Eritrea | Assab Massawa |
| Sudan | Port Sudan Suakin |
| Yemen | Al Hodeida |
| Israel | Eilat |
| Jordan | Aqaba |
| Saudi Arabia | Jeddah yanbu |
| Djibouti | Moulhoule |
The Suez Canal
The Suez Canal is an artificial shipping lane Built between 1859 and 1869 to link the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. Before its construction, the Red Sea only communicated with the Indian Ocean through the Strait of Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden.
The Suez Canal is 163 km long and It links Port Said, on the Mediterranean coast, and Suez, on the Red Sea coast.
It was built to provide a shorter shipping lane between Europe and Asiasince before the ships had to surround the entire African continent. Its construction had a significant impact on global maritime trade and made it possible to transport goods faster, more efficiently and safely.
Tourism in the Red Sea
Tourism in the Red Sea is very popular due to the beauty of its beaches and the large amount of marine life found there.
Some of the main tourist attractions are the white sand beaches, the coral reefs and the impressive and characteristic underwater life. Approximately 10% of marine species found in the Red Sea are endemicwhich means that they are not developed anywhere else in the world.
The main tourist destinations in the Red Sea are Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. These countries have developed tourism infrastructure to attract visitors and offer a wide variety of services, from luxury hotels to souvenir shops and restaurants.
Tourists can practice various water activities such as diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, sport fishing and boat trips.
Biblical story about the Red Sea
The biblical story at the Red Sea is told in the book of Exodus. According to the story, the people of Israel had been enslaved in Egypt and Moses was sent by God to free them. After ten plagues, the Pharaoh of Egypt finally allowed the Israelites to leave for the Promised Land.
As the Israelites traveled east, Pharaoh betrayed them and sent his armies to pursue them. The Israelites found themselves trapped between the Egyptian soldiers and the Red Sea. According to the biblical account, Moses parted the sea to allow the Israelites to cross, with walls of water on both sides. The Egyptian soldiers tried to follow them, but the waters closed in on them and they drowned.
References
- Five Days (sf). Aqaba, where the desert becomes the sea. https://cincodias.elpais.com/
- Figueras, A. (2010). Moses and the Red Sea. Science and religion?. Marine science and other matters. https://www.madrimasd.org/
- Vidal, M (2022). Red Sea corals, a hope for other reefs. https://www.dw.com/
- ZOEA (sf). The Red Sea. https://biologiamarina.info/
