Important Maritime passages in the world-part 2


Following article discusses about the important Maritime passages in the world Part-2.


. Straits of Magellan : It is a natural navigable passage connecting the south atlantic and the south Pacific Oceans situated in Chile at the southern tip of South America. It was discovered by Ferdinand magellan the famous Portuguese explorer , and it was named after him. It is difficult to navigate through the strait because of heavy weather , narrow channels and unexpected winds and currents. But it is one the world's important Maritime passage because it is a shorter and more sheltered route. The strait extends 286 nautical miles with the narrowest part 2 miles wide.

. Cape horn : It also connects the south atlantic and Pacific Oceans . It the southernmost headland of tierra del Fuego archipelago of southern chile. Waters in Cape horn is really dangerous owing to strong winds, strong currents, large waves and icebergs. Vessels which are unable to pass through the straits of Magellan will pass through Cape horn.

. Cape of good hope : It is headland on the Atlantic coast of south africa closer to the southern tip of africa. It was discovered by Portuguese explorer Bartholomeo  dias in 1488. This passage was really important since it established direct trade with Far east. It is called as "Cape of storms" because of the harsh weather around the Cape. This pathway is really important for coastal traffic around the southern part of africa and traffic to and from south american regions and far east. Choosing this route will reduce the cost of the voyage since the suez canal transit is very expensive. It will depend on the type of trade. 

. English Channel :  English channel connects the north atlantic and the North sea. It also seperates the southern England from northern France. English channel is the world's busiest shipping lane in the world. It is of about 302 nautical miles length.

. Kiel canal : Kiel canal is an artificial canal which connects the north sea and Baltic sea . It is of 51 nautical miles length. It plays an important part in international trade as it saves around 250 nautical miles of heavy weather seas around the jutland peninsular and in having to transit through the great belt and the sound. 

. Unimak passage : This passage connects the North Pacific Ocean and the Bering sea . This passage in aleutian islands offers a short great circle between North American continent and the Far East. 

. Turkish strait (Bosporus and dardanelles) :  It is the world's narrowest passage for international Maritime traffic located in turkey. This passage is significant as it connects the Black sea to the Mediterranean sea through the sea of marmara, dardanelles strait and the Aegan sea.