Red Sea

Red Sea, The, stretches south-east from the heads of the Gulfs of Suez and Akabato the Straits of Bab-el-Mandeb and the Gulf of Aden, a distance of about 1,200 miles. Its width is from 115 to 200 miles, except at the two extremities. The depth in the middle is about 1,200 fathoms, and it grows shallower towards each end, there being only 200 fathoms in the Strait. The bed is gradually being upheaved. As it receives no rivers, it is much affected by evaporation, and is Salter than the ocean. The coasts on each side are fringed with enormous coral reefs, those on the east being the largest and most dangerous. The climate is one of the hottest in the world, but violent storms are infrequent. Submerged islands are the chief source of danger to vessels. Good harbours are few, Mocha, Yenbo, Hodeida, and Lokeyyah being the best on the Arabian shore, whilst on the African side are Massowah, Khor Nowarat, and Suakim.