Arabian Sea

The Arabian Sea (also known as the Arab Sea) is the body of water lying in south-western Asia, forming part of the north-western Indian Ocean. It is bounded by the eastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula, the south of Iran and Pakistan, the western coast of India, and the western coast of Somalia.

The sea connects to the Red Sea in the west through the Strait of Bab el-Mandeb. To the north-west it connects to the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz, which leads to the Gulf of Persia. It is therefore one of the world's most heavily used maritime trade routes, particularly for oil shipments.

Geography

The Arabian Sea is very deep; much of it extends beyond ten thousand metres. The sea floor includes the Carlsberg Ridge, a chain forming part of the mid-ocean ridge system that divides the earth's continental plates. The Indus River and other rivers flowing from India discharge large amounts of water and sediment to the north-east, creating an extensive submarine fan on the sea floor.

Climate and oceanography

The sea's climate is governed by the monsoon winds, which reverse direction twice yearly. During the south-west monsoon, typically the summer months, strong winds produce significant nutrient-rich upwelling off the coasts of Somalia and Oman. This increases marine microorganisms, drawing large fish populations to the region.

Economy and history

For thousands of years, Arab, Indian, Persian and Somali merchants used the monsoon winds to sail their ships in predictable directions during particular seasons. This trade connected the ports of the Horn of Africa, the Persian Gulf and the Malabar Coast. Today, the Arabian Sea carries a large proportion of the oil and goods shipped between Asia and Europe.