Strait facts for kids

A strait is a narrow waterway that connects two larger bodies of water. Think of it like a natural bridge of water between two land areas. Straits are often found between two seas or oceans. They are super important for ships because they act as shortcuts for travel and trade around the world.

A strait between two land masses

Controlling a strait can be very important. This is because many ships use straits to move goods and people. If someone controls a strait, they can control the shipping that passes through it. Sometimes, this has led to conflicts over who gets to control these important water paths.

It's important to know that rivers and canals are not straits. Rivers usually have water flowing in one direction, and canals are man-made waterways. Straits are natural, much wider, and their water can flow in different directions depending on tides and currents.

The Malacca Strait

Famous Water Passages

Straits are like important highways for ships! Here are some well-known ones:

• The Bosporus and the Dardanelles: These two straits connect the Mediterranean Sea to the Black Sea. They are in Turkey.
• The Strait of Dover: This strait is between England and France. It links the North Sea with the English Channel.
• The Strait of Gibraltar: This is the only natural way for ships to get between the huge World Ocean (like the Atlantic) and the Mediterranean Sea.
• The Bering Strait: Found between Alaska and Siberia, this cold strait connects the Pacific Ocean and the Arctic Ocean.
• The Strait of Magellan: This passage helps ships travel between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, located near the tip of South America, north of Tierra del Fuego.
• The Palk Strait: This strait is between India and Sri Lanka. It's known for its natural resources.
• The Strait of Hormuz: This strait connects the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. A lot of oil from the Persian Gulf is shipped through here to the rest of the world.
• The Strait of Malacca: This strait separates the Malay Peninsula from Sumatra. It connects the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea. It is one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
• The Bass Strait: This strait is between mainland Australia and Tasmania. It connects the Indian Ocean with the Pacific Ocean.
• The Torres Strait: This strait is between Australia and New Guinea.
• The Cook Strait: This strait is between New Zealand's North Island and South Island. It connects the Tasman Sea and the South Pacific Ocean.

Related Waterways

• Canal
• Channel

See also

In Spanish: Estrecho para niños