Palk Strait, Marine passage between Tamil Nadu, India and Jaffna District, Sri Lanka.
The Palk Strait extends 137 kilometers in length with depths reaching 100 meters, connecting the Bay of Bengal with the Gulf of Mannar.
Robert Palk, who governed Madras from 1755 to 1763, gave his name to this strait that served as a maritime route between India and Sri Lanka.
The waters between Pamban Island and Mannar Island contain geological formations that hold religious significance in Hindu traditions regarding the Ramayana epic.
The shallow waters and numerous shoals throughout the strait limit navigation to smaller vessels, preventing large ships from passing through this waterway.
During the Last Glacial Period, this marine channel existed as dry land until rising sea levels submerged the area approximately 7,000 years ago.
Part of: Indian Ocean
GPS coordinates: 9.82772,79.51190
Latest update: November 17, 2025 09:44
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.
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