Massachusetts Bay facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Massachusetts Bay |
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Bays of Massachusetts
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| Location | United States |
| Ocean/sea sources | Atlantic Ocean |
| Basin countries |  United States |
Massachusetts Bay is a large bay located on the coast of Massachusetts, in the United States. It is part of the bigger Gulf of Maine, which is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean. This bay forms a key part of the central coastline of the state of Massachusetts.
Contents
Exploring Massachusetts Bay's Location
Massachusetts Bay stretches from Cape Ann in the north down to Plymouth Harbor in the south. This distance is about 42 miles (68 kilometers). The northern and southern edges of the bay get closer together as they reach the entrance to Boston Harbor. At this point, they are only about five miles (8 kilometers) apart. The deepest part of the bay, from its widest point to Boston Harbor, is about 21 miles (34 kilometers). The city of Boston is located at the westernmost tip of the bay.
Coastline Features of the Bay
The northern shore of Massachusetts Bay is rough and rocky. It has many uneven shapes. In contrast, the southern shore is mostly flat, marshy, and sandy. Along both shores, you can find several capes and headlands. These are pieces of land that stick out into the water. There are also many small islands just off the coast. Many of these islands are found near the entrance to Boston Harbor.
Main Inlets and Harbors
Massachusetts Bay has several important inlets and harbors. On the northern coast, you will find:
- Gloucester Harbor
- Nahant Bay
- Salem Harbor
- Marblehead Harbor
- Lynn Harbor
On the western side of the bay, the main inlets include:
- Boston Harbor
- Dorchester Bay
- Quincy Bay (these last two are part of the larger Outer Boston Harbor)
On the southern coast, you will find Hingham Bay.
Connection to the Gulf of Maine
Massachusetts Bay is actually a part of the larger Gulf of Maine. The Gulf of Maine extends from Nova Scotia in Canada all the way south to Cape Cod Bay in Massachusetts. Sometimes, Cape Cod Bay is even considered to be a part of Massachusetts Bay itself. If you look at it this way, "Massachusetts Bay" would mean the entire rectangular area of ocean between Cape Ann and Cape Cod.
See also
In Spanish: Bahía de Massachusetts para niños
