The exotic Red Sea

You are sure to know that our country is in the Indian Ocean. Besides the Indian Ocean, there are many other oceans and seas around the world with many different names: Red Sea, Dead Sea and so on.

When you hear the name Red Sea, you might be imagining a sea in a bright red colour, but, the blueness of the Red Sea is not second to any other. So, the name is misleading.

The Red Sea, where the desert meets the ocean, is truly one of the planet's most exotic and fascinating natural seascape environments. It is located between Asia and Africa.

At its most northern point, it forms the Sinai Peninsula and stretches over 1,000 miles south to join the Indian Ocean, between Ethiopia and Yemen. In the north and west are desert plains, while in the south, there is a mountainous region (2,642 metres high), which is part of the mountain range stretching from deep in Saudi Arabia.

The Red Sea holds beneath its crystal blue surface an oasis(fertile spot) of living creatures, reefs and coral formations. The Red Sea was created by the movement of plates in the Earth's surface about 30 million years ago. The Arab Peninsula started to part from Africa along a thin break-line which was filled by the ocean's water.

Twenty million years ago, another geological movement started; the Arab Peninsula, which parted from Africa, started to move to the north. The movement had met with resistance in Turkey and swung to the east, and another break-line was formed. This one stretched all the way from the northern part of Israel, through the Jordan Valley to the Dead Sea, and finally through the Gulf Eilat to Ras Mohamed at the southern point of the Sinai.

The temperature of the water in the Red Sea remains unusually constant the year around, averaging 22 degrees Celsius in the summer. Low pressure systems develop in the Sahara Desert and draw hot dry east winds from Asia; causing the temperature to rise frequently along with sandstorms.

At the same time, low pressure develops over the Red Sea, bringing moist cold air from the south and creating clouds, haze and more often, rain. The Red Sea is notorious (known for unfavourable things) among seafarers for its high speed surface winds and aggressively short irregular motion. It may be calm on the inward shore, but exposed sites like the Brothers Islands may be different.

Cargo vessels, oil tankers, fishing boats and passenger ships all conduct their trade across this great waterway, but for many, the true attraction of the Red Sea is hidden just below its surface.

There are over 1,000 species of invertebrates (creatures without backbones), around 200 recorded coral types and over a thousand species of fish to be found here. The Red Sea is considered by many as one of the places for diving, in the marine world.

The Red Sea attracts divers, photographers, marine scientists, and leisure seekers from all over the world to experience and explore the wonders of the colourful marine life and its lavish coral reefs. In places, the exceptional living reef stretches way out to sea, forming an elaborate system of caves, lagoons, gardens and plateaux.

The Red Sea is not all fun and delight however; it has its troubles There is minimal danger from marine animals in the Red Sea, Some of the marine animals are dangerous to touch, and some corals and stinging hydroids can be extremely painful if accidentally touched.

The water of the Red Sea is also a very important asset. Its surrounding cities are totally dependent on its water. Isn't it really fascinating? We'll tell you more about the other oceans of the world in our future issues.

Compiled by Janani Amarasekara