Red Sea
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DD News
Context: Environmentalists have raised alarms as Egypt plans large-scale tourism development at Ras Hankorab Beach, part of the Red Sea’s fragile marine ecosystem, risking biodiversity loss amid efforts to boost tourism revenue.
About the Red Sea:
• What is the Red Sea? A semi-enclosed tropical sea, part of the Indian Ocean, stretching 1,930 kmfrom the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Connectsto the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal and to the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Aden. Surface Area: ~438,000 sq km.
• A semi-enclosed tropical sea, part of the Indian Ocean, stretching 1,930 kmfrom the Suez Canal to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
• Connectsto the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal and to the Arabian Sea via the Gulf of Aden.
• Surface Area: ~438,000 sq km.
• Neighbouring Countries: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti.
• Key Features & Facts: Geological Significance: Formed by the rift between African & Arabian tectonic plates(still widening at ~15 mm/year). Contains hot brine poolsand active volcanic zones (e.g., Jabal Al-Ṭāʾir Island). Unique Marine Ecosystem: Home to coral reefs resistant to climate change, vital for global marine biodiversity. Supports endangered specieslike hawksbill turtles and dugongs. Economic & Strategic Importance: Major Shipping Route: 12% of global trade passes through, linking Europe & Asia. Tourism Hub: Famous for diving (e.g., Blue Hole), generating billions in revenue. Climate & Salinity: One of the warmest and saltiest seas(up to 41°C in summer). Named for occasional red algal blooms(Trichodesmium erythraeum). Environmental Threats: Over-tourism, coastal development, and oil spills endanger marine life. Coral bleachingrisks due to rising sea temperatures.
• Geological Significance: Formed by the rift between African & Arabian tectonic plates(still widening at ~15 mm/year). Contains hot brine poolsand active volcanic zones (e.g., Jabal Al-Ṭāʾir Island).
• Formed by the rift between African & Arabian tectonic plates(still widening at ~15 mm/year).
• Contains hot brine poolsand active volcanic zones (e.g., Jabal Al-Ṭāʾir Island).
• Unique Marine Ecosystem: Home to coral reefs resistant to climate change, vital for global marine biodiversity. Supports endangered specieslike hawksbill turtles and dugongs.
• Home to coral reefs resistant to climate change, vital for global marine biodiversity.
• Supports endangered specieslike hawksbill turtles and dugongs.
• Economic & Strategic Importance: Major Shipping Route: 12% of global trade passes through, linking Europe & Asia. Tourism Hub: Famous for diving (e.g., Blue Hole), generating billions in revenue.
• Major Shipping Route: 12% of global trade passes through, linking Europe & Asia.
• Tourism Hub: Famous for diving (e.g., Blue Hole), generating billions in revenue.
• Climate & Salinity: One of the warmest and saltiest seas(up to 41°C in summer). Named for occasional red algal blooms(Trichodesmium erythraeum).
• One of the warmest and saltiest seas(up to 41°C in summer).
• Named for occasional red algal blooms(Trichodesmium erythraeum).
• Environmental Threats: Over-tourism, coastal development, and oil spills endanger marine life. Coral bleachingrisks due to rising sea temperatures.
• Over-tourism, coastal development, and oil spills endanger marine life.
• Coral bleachingrisks due to rising sea temperatures.