Maritime straits are essential passages for navigation and global trade. These natural waterways between lands connect oceans and seas, allowing the movement of merchant ships and international maritime transport. From the English Channel to the Strait of Malacca, these passages are crucial for the maritime economy and commercial exchanges between continents.
Malaysia, Indonesia
A maritime passage between the Malay Peninsula and the island of Sumatra, connecting the Indian Ocean to the South China Sea.
Iran, Oman
A maritime passage linking the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman, between the Iranian coast and the Musandam Peninsula. Tankers use this route for transporting hydrocarbons.
Greenland, Iceland
A maritime passage 280 kilometers wide separating Greenland and Iceland, connecting the Greenland Sea to the Irminger Sea.
Spain, Morocco
A strategic connection point between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic Ocean, 14 kilometers wide with depths reaching 900 meters.
Chile
A natural maritime passage of 570 kilometers located between Tierra del Fuego and Patagonia, allowing navigation between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.
United States, Russia
An 85-kilometer-wide maritime passage located between eastern Siberia and Alaska. It connects the Northern Pacific Ocean to the Arctic Ocean.
France, United Kingdom
A 33-kilometer-wide maritime passage between Calais and Dover, linking the North Sea to the English Channel. The average depth is 45 meters.
Djibouti, Yemen
A 32-kilometer-wide maritime passage situated between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, separating the Arabian Peninsula from the Horn of Africa.
New Zealand
A 22-kilometer-wide maritime channel between New Zealand's North Island and South Island, connecting the Tasman Sea to the Pacific Ocean.
Turkey
A natural canal of 30 kilometers crossing Istanbul, separating Europe from Asia and connecting the Black Sea to the Sea of Marmara.
Greenland, Canada
A 360-kilometer-wide sea arm between Greenland and Baffin Island, connecting Baffin Bay to the Labrador Sea.
Madagascar, Mozambique
A 1600-kilometer-long maritime channel in the Indian Ocean between the eastern coast of Africa and Madagascar. Ocean currents can reach up to 4 knots here.
United States, Cuba
A 150-kilometer-long maritime passage between the Florida Peninsula and Cuba, connecting the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean.
Canada
A maritime passage linking the Atlantic Ocean to Hudson Bay between Baffin Island and Quebec, 800 kilometers long and 100 kilometers wide.
Australia, Papua New Guinea
A maritime passage between Australia and Papua New Guinea connecting the Arafura Sea to the Coral Sea.
Indonesia
A maritime passage between Java and Sumatra islands connecting the Indian Ocean to the Java Sea. It is 24 kilometers wide and experiences high volcanic activity.
India, Sri Lanka
A 53-kilometer-wide maritime channel separating the Indian subcontinent from Sri Lanka, forming a navigable route between the Gulf of Mannar and the Bay of Bengal.
Japan
A maritime passage between the Japanese islands of Honshu and Hokkaido, connecting the Sea of Japan to the Pacific Ocean.
South Korea, Japan
A maritime passage between South Korea and Japan connecting the East China Sea to the Sea of Japan.
Indonesia
A maritime passage between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok, connecting the Indian Ocean to the Java Sea.
Turkey
A natural maritime passage of 61 kilometers between Europe and Asia, connecting the Sea of Marmara to the Aegean Sea. It is part of major maritime trade routes.
Denmark, Sweden
A maritime passage between Denmark and Sweden connecting the North Sea to the Baltic Sea through the Danish straits, 50 to 100 kilometers wide.
Denmark, Norway
A maritime route 100 kilometers wide between Norway and the Danish Jutland, providing primary access to the Baltic Sea.
France, Italy
An 11-kilometer-wide maritime channel between Corsica and Sardinia, connecting the Tyrrhenian Sea to the western Mediterranean Sea.
Denmark, Sweden
The width of this strait varies between 4 and 28 kilometers, with an average depth of 10 meters. It allows navigation between the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Chile, Antarctica
A 1000-kilometer-wide maritime passage between Cape Horn and the South Shetland Islands. The waters are some of the most challenging to navigate.
China, Taiwan
A 180-kilometer-wide maritime passage connecting the South China Sea to the East China Sea. The strait serves as an international shipping route.
China, Taiwan
A maritime passage between Taiwan and China, connecting the South China Sea to the East China Sea.
Indonesia
A 600-kilometer-long maritime passage between Borneo and Sulawesi. The strait is a major transport route for oil and goods.