Port facts for kids
A port is a special place where land meets water, like an ocean, river, or lake. It's where ships come to load and unload goods, called cargo. People can also get on or off ships here. You might also hear it called a harbour or harbor.
A good port is easy for ships to reach from the water. It's also easy for trucks and trains to reach from the land. Ports are often built in places protected from bad weather. This means they are safe from strong wind or big waves. Some ports are very important for trade, helping countries buy and sell things. Other ports are important for a country's navy, serving military ships.
Contents
Different Kinds of Ports
Ports come in many types, depending on what kind of ships visit them and what they are used for.
Sea Ports and River Ports
If a port is visited by large ships that travel on the ocean, it's usually called a sea port or just a port. If a port is only used by river boats, like barges, it's called a river port.
Inland Ports
An inland port is a port located on a lake, river, or canal. These waterways connect to a sea or ocean, allowing ships to travel far inland.
Fishing Ports
A fishing port is a specific type of port or harbour used by people who are fishing. It's where fishing boats dock and unload their catch.
Warm Water Ports
A warm water port is a port where the water does not freeze during the winter. This is important because it means ships can use the port all year round, even in cold climates.
Cruise Home Ports
A cruise home port is a major hub for cruise-ships. This is where passengers start and end their cruises. It's also where cruise ships get all their supplies, like fresh water, fuel, and food. For example, the Port of Miami, Florida, is known as the "Cruise Capital of the World."
Ports of Call
A port of call is a place where a ship stops for a short time during its journey. Cruise ships often visit many ports of call before their trip ends.
Cargo Ports
A cargo port is a port mainly used for moving goods that people want to buy or sell. These ports handle containers, cars, grain, and many other types of products.
Images for kids
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The Port of New York and New Jersey grew from the original harbor at the convergence of the Hudson River and the East River at the Upper New York Bay.
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The Porticciolo del Cedas port in Barcola near Trieste, a small local port
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Port of Durban in Durban, South Africa is Africa's busiest port
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Seaport, a 17th-century depiction by Claude Lorrain, 1638
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Shanghai Port is the world's busiest container port
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Port of Kaohsiung is the largest port in Taiwan.
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Port of Hamburg
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The port of Piraeus
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Port of Seattle
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Port of Haifa, Israel
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Port of Barcelona, one of Spain's largest ports
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Port of Montreal, Quebec.
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The Port of Duluth-Superior, the largest freshwater port in the world
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A ship pumping bilge water into a harbor
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The port of Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh, India
See also
In Spanish: Puerto para niños
