An arm of the Arabian Sea (part of the Indian Ocean) separating the Arabian Peninsula from the Horn of Africa. It resembles a narrow-based isoceles triangle with Yemen is on the northen shore, Somalia lies on the south, and Djibouti is at the trangle's apex on the west. From the northern side of the gulf's western terminus lies the Red Sea.
It extends about 1,000 miles (1600 km) from west to east, 500 miles (800 km) north to south at the eastern end. Its area is about 205,000 square miles (530,000 square km). Its maximum depth
The Gulf of Aden's depth is due to a tectonic spreading center running along its east-west axis, connecting up with the Mid-Indian Ridge on the east, and the Red Sea spreading center, as well as the East African Rift Valley system, on the west. This spreading center is still forcing Arabia and Africa apart.
The Gulf of Aden is also vastly important to the world's commerce, as ships bound for the Suez Canal must go through it in order to get to the Red Sea. The two largest cities on the Gulf are Aden, largest city of Yemen, and Djibouti.
Measurements from http://www.maritimesecurity.com/research/intel_file_gulfofaden.htm |
