Beagle Gulf facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beagle Gulf |
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 Beagle Gulf
Location in Northern Territory
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| Coordinates | 12°09′37″S 130°29′23″E / 12.16028°S 130.48972°E |
| Type | Gulf |
| Etymology | HMS Beagle |
| Basin countries | Australia |
The Beagle Gulf is a large bay, or gulf, located in the Northern Territory of Australia. It opens up to the Timor Sea on its western side.
This gulf is bordered by the mainland to the south. To the north, it's surrounded by Bathurst Island and Melville Island. The Beagle Gulf is connected to the Van Diemen Gulf in the east by a waterway called Clarence Strait.
Along its southern coast, you'll find important natural harbours like Darwin and Bynoe. The gulf is quite large, stretching about 100 kilometres (62 miles) long and 50 kilometres (31 miles) wide. It also surrounds a group of islands known as the Quail Island Group.
Why is it called Beagle Gulf?
The Beagle Gulf gets its name from a famous ship called HMS Beagle. This ship was used for important explorations and surveys.
Many people think that Charles Darwin, a famous naturalist, and Robert FitzRoy, the ship's commander, named the gulf. They did sail on the HMS Beagle during a trip around the world. However, in 1836, they sailed far away from this area and didn't even know the gulf existed.
The gulf was actually named later by Captain John Clements Wickham. He was in charge of the HMS Beagle when it explored northern Australia between 1837 and 1838. This was during the ship's third and final long journey of discovery.
Protecting the Gulf
The Beagle Gulf is a special place with lots of marine life and beautiful scenery. Because of its importance, the Northern Territory Government suggested creating the Beagle Gulf Marine Park in 1991.
A Marine Park helps protect important natural areas in the sea. It also allows people to enjoy the area for fishing, boating, and other fun activities. The park has special rules, called "zoning plans," that help balance protecting the environment with allowing people to use and enjoy the gulf. These plans make sure that important places for animals, science, history, culture, and beautiful views are kept safe.
