Gulf and Bay

Gulf and Bay

The world’s waterbodies are divided into Oceans, Seas, Gulfs, Bays, Rivers, Estuaries, Lakes, Straits, Canals etc. Most of these are self-explanatory. However, most people fail to understand the difference between Gulf and Bay and Straits, Channels and Canals.

By definition, Gulf is a large waterbody which can sometimes be considered as an extended arm of a sea with a constricted entrance along a strait. A gulf is almost entirely enclosed by land.

E.g. the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Finland

Bay is similar to a Gulf but generally smaller in size and has a wider entrance. However, there are exceptions to this definition. E.g. the Bay of Bengal is much larger than most of the bays of the world. Also, a Bay is not enclosed by land to a large extent.

E.g., the Bay of Biscay, Bay of Bengal.

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