Home / IAS / Article

Important Straits of the World – Important facts, Significance

By BYJU'S Exam Prep
Updated on: October 18th, 2023

Download PDF

Important straits of the world are of geopolitical importance, some of the major straits are the Palk
strait, Gibraltar strait etc. It serves to be an interconnection between two mainlands. The isthmus
leads to the formation of the important straits of the world. They link or divide the major waterways.
The important straits of the world also assist in transit and communication and are essential in the
viewpoint of trade.

Straits of the world play an instrumental role in the generation of tidal power. The important straits of
the world area are an essential part of the UPSC syllabus and are an important topic of Current
Affairs. This article will facilitate the candidates with the complete details of the important straits of
the world and help the candidates in gaining knowledge of the core concepts.

Table of content

1. What is Strait?

2. Important Straits of the World

3. Important Facts About Major Straits

4. Major Straits UPSC

5. Significance of Important Straits of the World

What is Strait?

The strait is a narrow channel that is navigable and located between two mainlands interconnecting
two waterbodies. The important straits of the world are mostly navigable. Some straits are non-
passable due to the shallow nature or presence of reefs.

The straits also play an instrumental role in altering weather patterns by forming a passage for
the ocean currents.
The isthmus leads to the formation of the straits.
Home Practice Test Series Premium
 Human activities lead to the formation of canals. These serve to be the passway for transit and
play an instrumental role in the conduction of trade and commerce.

Important Straits of the World

This table comprises the list of the important straits of the world along with their characteristics.
Check here the location of the strait and the waterbodies it is connecting or separating. They are also
the channels through which the oceans make their way, henceforth altering the weather patterns.

Sr. Major Straits of the

Characteristics
No. world

1 PALK STRAIT Linking the Bay of Bengal with the Gulf of Mannar

Linking the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. The

STRAIT OF Strait of Gibraltar also plays a role in the separation of the
2
GIBRALTAR Gibraltar and Spain located in the North from Morocco in
the South.

It divides Rutland to the North and Little Andaman to the

3 DUNCAN PASSAGE
South.

NINE DEGREE Linking Laccadive islands of Kalapeni, Suheli Par & Maliku
4
CHANNEL Atoll.

TEN DEGREE Divides Andaman Islands from the Nicobar islands in the
5
CHANNEL Bay of Bengal.

Located between UAE and Oman on the southwest and Iran

in the north-east. Links the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of
6 STRAIT OF HORMUZ
Oman. It is an essential channel as it majorly governs the oil
trade from the Gulf countries.

STRAIT OF BAB-EL- Links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and divides Asia
7
MANDAB from Africa.

It divides Peninsular Malaysia from the Sumatra island of

Indonesia. It links the Pacific Ocean to the Indian Ocean. It
8 MALACCA STRAIT facilitates a shorter route from the Andaman Sea to the
South China sea and henceforth is the most engaged
waterway in the world.

It links the Java Sea to the Indian Ocean and divides the
9 SUNDA STRAIT
Java island of Indonesia from its Sumatra island.
Home Practice Test Series Premium
 It divides Russia and Alaska and links the East Siberian Sea
10 BERING STRAIT
in the Arctic Ocean with the Bering Sea in the Pacific Ocean.

It links the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea and divides Italy
11 ORANTO STRAIT
from Albania.

The narrowest strait that is navigable linking the Black sea

12 BOSPHORUS STRAIT
with the sea of Marmara.

It is located between Asian Turkey and European Turkey.

DARDANELLES This strait also links the Aegean Sea with the Sea of
13
STRAIT Marmara. It is a pivotal link for the transit between the Black
Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

Located between Sakhalin island and Hokkaido island of

14 LA PAROUSES STRAIT
Japan. This links the Sea of Okhotsk with the Sea of Japan.

It divides the Russian island Sakhalin from Mainland Asia.

STRAIT OF
15 This strait links the Sea of Okhotsk in the North to the Sea
TARTARY/TARTAR
of Japan in the south.

Located between Hokkaido and Honshu in northern Japan

16 TSUGARU STRAIT
and links the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean.

It is located between Taiwan [Republic of China] and

TAIWAN STRAIT OR
17 Mainland China [People’s Republic of China]. It links the
FORMOSA STRAIT
South China Sea with the East China Sea.

MOZAMBIQUE It is located in the Indian Ocean between Mozambique from

18
STRAIT Madagascar.

It is located between Mexico and Cuba and links the Gulf of

19 YUCATAN STRAIT
Mexico with the Caribbean Sea.

20 FLORIDA STRAIT It is located between Florida State and the USA and Cuba.

21 HUDSON STRAIT It links Hudson Bay [Canada] with the Labrador Sea.

22 DAVIS STRAIT It links Baffin Bay with the Atlantic Ocean.

It is located between the North and South islands of New

23 COOK STRAIT Zealand and links the Tasman Sea with the South Pacific
ocean.

24 BASS STRAIT It divides Tasmania from the Australian mainland.

Home Practice Test Series Premium

 It is located in the Pacific Ocean, between the Cape York
25 TORRES STRAIT
Peninsula of Australia and Papua New Guinea.

It divides Mainland South America from Tierra Del Fuego

26 MAGELLAN STRAIT [an archipelago off the southern-most tip of the South
American Mainland]

It is located in the narrowest segment of the English

27 DOVER STRAIT Channel, linking with the North Sea. It divides Britain from
Continental Europe.

It divides Ireland from Scotland and links the Irish Sea with
28 NORTH CHANNEL
the Atlantic Ocean.

Important Facts About Major Straits

The important facts about the straits and canals have been listed here that can be asked in the UPSC
exam. The longest strait, narrowest strait, and other essential straits divide the different water bodies
and add to the list of important straits of the world.

Longest Straits: Strait of Malacca (800 km) links the Andaman Sea with the South China Sea
(Pacific Ocean).
Narrowest Strait: Strait of Bosphorus linking the Black Sea with the Marmara Sea.
Bering Strait: Divides Asia from America.
Bass Strait: Divides Australia from Tasmania.
Gibraltar Strait: Divides Africa from Europe.

Major Straits UPSC

The aspirants preparing for the UPSC exam must have an in-depth knowledge of all the latest
updates about the major straits of the world. The questions can be asked from the topics that are
covered in the daily news and current events. The candidates must be having a comprehensive
understanding of the important straits of the world to pick out the right answer in the UPSC exam.

The candidates can download the complete notes in order to enhance their understanding of the
concept. You should also attempt the UPSC previous year papers on a regular basis in order to gain
complete knowledge of the topics of the exam.

Significance of Important Straits of the World

Home Practice Test Series Premium

It is of high essentiality for the candidates to be completely conversant with the essentiality of the
important straits of the world. The straits play an instrumental and important role in determining
transit and trade.

It plays an essential role in geopolitics as it forms the passage for the ocean. It is also essential
for matters pertaining to the military and economy.
The straits are also effective in transit and commuting from the economic zones. They are also
essential from the navigation point of view, they provide the path to the numerous ships that
cross the way.
The straits play an essential role in the generation of tidal power.

Important Notes for UPSC

Difference Between Lok Sabha and Rajya

Indian Independence Movement
Sabha

Heads of Important Offices in India Hunter Commission

How Much Time is Required to Prepare for

Part 21 of Indian Constitution
UPSC

Role of Civil Service in a Democracy Causes of World War 2

Rainfall in India National Sports Awards in India

FAQs on Important Straits of the World

What are the important straits of the world?

The important straits of the world cater to transit and commutation. It forms the passage for ocean currents and plays an
instrumental role in altering weather patterns. The list of important straits of the world are as listed below-

Palk Strait
Strait of Gibraltar
Duncan Passage
Nine Degree Channel
Ten Degree Channel
Strait of Hormuz
Malacca Strait
Sunda Strait
Bering Strait

What is a strait?

What is the significance of important straits in the world?

Home Practice Test Series Premium

 Is the topic “important straits of the world” essential for UPSC exam?

What are some of the major straits of the world?

How many straits are there in the world?

What is the most important strait in Asia?

What is the most important strait in Asia?

Which strait is known as the busiest strait in the world?

Recent Posts

Current Affairs for UPSC Exam 2024 [November 13, 2023]

13 Nov

Current Affairs in Hindi 2023 - Daily, Weekly, Monthly PDF in Hindi

13 Nov

IAS Toppers Optional Subjects 2022 - Ishita Kishore Optional Subject in UPSC
9 Nov

UPSC Exam

UPSC

IAS Exam UPSC Syllabus UPSC Exam Pattern

IAS Questions UPSC Prelims… UPSC Cut Off

Current Affairs UPSC Mains Syllabus UPSC Notes

IAS Salary UPSC Eligibility UPSC Online…

UPSC Exam UPSC Previous year… UPSC Test Series

OUR APPS POPULAR EXAMS

BYJU'S Exam Prep: The Exam Preparation App UPSC 2023
UPSC Syllabus
UPSC Question Paper
GATE Exam
Home Practice GATE 2024 Test Series Premium
 IES
CAT Exam
CLAT
UGC NET 2023
CSIR NET
CDS Exam
NDA 2023
AFCAT
CAPF
CRPF Recruitment
BSF Recruitment
IAS Exam
UPSC 2024
Current Affairs
Current Affairs in Hindi

SSC and Bank Other Exams

SSC Exams CTET 2023

SSC CGL UPTET
SSC CGL Syllabus REET
SSC CHSL HTET
SSC GD SUPER TET
SSC MTS KVS Recruitment
RRB NTPC NVS Recruitment
RRB Group D DSSSB Recruitment
Bank Exams UPPSC
SBI PO BPSC
SBI Clerk KPSC
IBPS PO RPSC
IBPS Clerk MPSC
UPSC EPFO MPPSC
RBI Grade B WBCS
IBPS RRB JPSC
SSC JE CGPSC
RRB JE UKPSC
DRDO CEPTAM OPSC

GradeStack Learning Pvt. Ltd.

Windsor IT Park, Tower - A, 2nd Floor,
Sector 125, Noida,
Uttar Pradesh 201303
help@byjusexamprep.com

About Us Authors Contact Us FAQs Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy Sitemap Careers

BYJU'S Exam Prep © 2023

Home Practice Test Series Premium