Gulf

This article is about the large inlet from the ocean into landmass. For other uses, see Gulf (disambiguation).

Gulf of Tunis in Tunisia

Map of the Gulf of Bothnia between Sweden and Finland

A Gulf is a large, deep inlet from the ocean into the landmass, typically larger and more enclosed than a bay, with a narrower opening to the sea. ^{[1] [2]}

Definition and Formation

Gulfs form through various geological processes:

• Tectonic plate movements such as rifting or subduction can create vast inlets. ^[3]
• Erosion and land subsidence also contribute to their formation.
• They are often partially enclosed by peninsulas or islands and may connect to larger oceans via narrow straits. ^{[2] [4]}

Characteristics

1. Size and Shape
   • Generally larger and deeper than bays; they have highly indented coastlines with narrow openings. ^[2]
   • Example: The Gulf of Mexico spans approximately 1.6 million km² and reaches depths over 4,000 m. ^[5]
2. Hydrodynamics
   • Narrow entrances lead to distinctive tidal and water circulation patterns.
   • Some gulfs contain river deltas that influence salinity and marine ecosystems, such as the Shatt al-Arab in the Persian Gulf. ^{[4] [6]}
3. Economic and Ecological Importance
   • Rich in natural resources, including offshore oil and gas (notably in the Persian Gulf) and fisheries. ^{[4] [6]}
   • Serve as strategic maritime routes and often host major ports and trade centers. ^{[2] [7]}

Major Gulfs of the World

Gulf	Area (km²)	Location	Notes
Gulf of Bengal (Bay of Bengal)	~2,268,000	Bay of Bengal	World’s largest “gulf” by area [6]
Gulf of Mexico	~1,567,000	North America	Encloses U.S., Mexico, Cuba; depth > 4,000 m [5]
Hudson Bay	~820,000	Canada	Largest gulf in Canada [6]
Gulf of Guinea	~730,000	West Africa	Deepest gulf (~6,363 m) [8]
Gulf of Alaska	~355,000	Southern Alaska	Deep fjords and glacial outlets [5]
Gulf of Carpentaria	~328,000	Northern Australia	Shallow, reef-lined [5]
Gulf of Thailand	~295,000	Southeast Asia	Warm tropical waters [6]
Gulf of Aden	~278,500	Between Yemen and Somalia	Major shipping route [5] [9]
Gulf of Saint Lawrence	~250,600	Eastern Canada	Gateway to Great Lakes [1] [7] [10]
Persian Gulf	~251,000	West Asia	Major oil region; ecological concerns [4] [11]

Notable Examples

• Gulf of Mexico: Semi-enclosed basin supporting complex oceanic currents (e.g., Gulf Stream) and massive maritime trade. ^[5]
• Persian Gulf: Critical for global energy supplies; experiences intense industrialization and ecological stress. ^{[4] [11]}
• Gulf of Aden: Connects to Red Sea via Bab-el-Mandeb, with ~21,000 ships passing annually. ^{[5] [9]}

Geographic vs. Terminological Usage

The boundary between "gulf," "bay," and "sea" is largely conventional:

• A gulf implies greater size/depth and enclosure compared to a bay or bight. ^{[2] [5]}
• Some small seas (e.g., Sea of Marmara) are technically gulfs. ^[1]

See also

• List of gulfs
• Bay
• Strait
• Sea
• Coastal landforms

References

1. "Gulf | Definition, Characteristics, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
2. "Gulf". education.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
3. "Plate Tectonics". education.nationalgeographic.org. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
4. "Definition of GULF". www.merriam-webster.com. 2025-06-15. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
5. "Major Gulfs of the World". WorldAtlas. 2019-07-02. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
6. Jiang, Daoyuan; Yang, Qiao; Fang, Yang; Zhang, Xiaoling; Song, Jing (2025-05-12). "A Bibliometric Review of Environmental Pollution Research in Major Global Gulfs". Water. 17 (10): 1455. Bibcode:2025Water..17.1455J. doi: 10.3390/w17101455 . ISSN   2073-4441.
7. Ayoob (2024-02-07). "Top 10 Largest Gulfs". Free Source Library. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
8. Lahoty, Rajshree (2025-05-19). "Largest Gulfs in the World: An Overview". Leverage Edu. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
9. "Gulf Of Aden". WorldAtlas. 2021-04-07. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
10. "Gulf of St. Lawrence". WorldAtlas. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2025-06-20.
11. "Persian Gulf". WorldAtlas. 2021-02-04. Retrieved 2025-06-20.

External links

• Media related to Gulfs at Wikimedia Commons