Bay of Bengal facts for kids

The Bay of Bengal is a huge bay, like a giant arm of the Indian Ocean. It's located in the northeastern part of this ocean. You can find it to the west of the Malay Peninsula and to the east of India. The bay has a shape that looks a bit like a triangle.

It got its name, "Bay of Bengal," because the Indian state of West Bengal and the country of Bangladesh are located to its north. This bay is a very important part of the Indian Ocean, especially for the countries around it. It is an extended part of the Indian Ocean, and a large portion of its coastline touches Bangladesh. Bangladesh has four important seaports along the Bay of Bengal.

Where is the Bay of Bengal located?

The Bay of Bengal is a large body of water that forms the northeastern part of the Indian Ocean. It is bordered by several countries. To its west is India and Sri Lanka. To its north are Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal. To the east, you'll find Myanmar and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India, and also parts of Thailand and Indonesia.

What shape is the Bay of Bengal?

The Bay of Bengal has a distinctive triangular shape. It stretches about 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) from north to south. Its widest part is about 1,600 kilometers (994 miles) across. This large size makes it one of the biggest bays in the world.

What rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal?

Many large and important rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal. These rivers carry a lot of fresh water and soil from the land into the bay. Some of the major rivers include:

• The Ganges River, which is very important to India and Bangladesh.
• The Brahmaputra River, another huge river that joins the Ganges.
• The Meghna River, which also flows into the bay.
• The Irrawaddy River from Myanmar.
• The Godavari River, Krishna River, and Mahanadi River from India.

These rivers create large deltas, which are fertile areas where the river splits into many smaller channels before meeting the sea. The Sundarbans, a huge mangrove forest, is one such delta formed by the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers.

Why is the Bay of Bengal important?

The Bay of Bengal is very important for the countries around it.

Trade and Shipping

It serves as a major route for international trade and shipping. Many ships carry goods between countries in Asia and other parts of the world through this bay. Important ports like Visakhapatnam in India and Chittagong in Bangladesh are located on its shores.

Fishing and Resources

Fishing is a big industry in the Bay of Bengal. Many people living along the coast depend on the bay for their livelihood. The bay is also believed to have valuable natural resources, such as oil and natural gas, beneath its seabed.

Weather and Climate

The Bay of Bengal plays a big role in the weather patterns of the region. It is known for its monsoon winds, which bring heavy rainfall to India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. However, it is also a place where powerful tropical storms called cyclones often form. These cyclones can cause a lot of damage to coastal areas.

Wildlife in the Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal is home to a variety of marine life. You can find many types of fish, dolphins, and even some species of sea turtles. The coastal areas, especially the mangrove forests like the Sundarbans, are important habitats for unique animals. These include the famous Bengal tiger, which can swim in saltwater.

Images for kids

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  Ross Island, in the Andamans, was one of the main naval bases of India during World War II

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  The Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the shore of the Bay of Bengal.

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  Image of United States ships participating in the Malabar 2007 naval exercise. Aegis cruisers from the navies of Japan and Australia, and logistical support ships from Singapore and India in the Bay of Bengal took part.

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  The Sunderbans bordering the Bay of Bengal is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.

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  Cox's Bazar, the longest stretch of beach in the world.

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  Havelock Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

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  The city of Visakhapatnam in India is a major port of the Bay of Bengal.

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  Bay of Bengal near Tenneti Park, Visakhapatnam.

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  A spinner dolphin in Bay of Bengal

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  Tachypleus gigas in Odisha

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  Some small fishing boats are catching fish & sell them in local coastal markets.

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  Cyclone Sidr at its peak near Bangladesh

See also

In Spanish: Golfo de Bengala para niños