GULF & BAY
A gulf is a large inlet from the ocean into the landmass, typically with a narrower opening than a bay. It resembles an arm of sea.
Technically, the Red, Black, Mediterranean, and Baltic Seas are gulfs…but they were named before topographic conventions were set, so they are continued to be known as a sea.
A bay is a recessed, coastal body of water that directly connects to a larger main body of water, such as an ocean, a lake, or another bay.
A bay may be of various types; so a bay, if triangular, like the Bay of Bengal, will have land on no more than two sides; if it is square/rectangular, like the Bay of Fundy, it will have land on no more than three sides.
The fact that one side – the mouth – must be completely open to its connecting, major body of water.
A cove is a type of smaller bay with a circular inlet and narrow entrance.
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) defines a bay as a well-marked indentation whose penetration is in such proportion to the width of its mouth as to contain land-locked waters and constitute more than a mere curvature of the coast. An indentation shall not, however, be regarded as a bay unless its area is as large as, or larger than, that of the semi-circle whose diameter is a line drawn across the mouth of that indentation.
Bays were significant in the history of human settlement because they provided safe places for fishing. Later they were important in the development of sea trade as the safe anchorage they provide encouraged their selection as ports.
Difference Between Gulf and Bay
Meaning
Gulf is a large body of water that penetrates the land.
Bay is a body of water that is partially surrounded by land.
Size
Gulf is generally larger than a bay.
Bay is generally smaller than a gulf.
Mouth
Gulf has a narrow mouth.
Bay has a broader mouth
Formation
Gulfs are typically formed as a result of continental drift.
Bays can be formed as a result of the continental drift or river or glacial erosion.
Location
Gulf is connected to the ocean.
Bay is connected to the ocean or a lake or river.
STRAIT & CANAL
A Strait is a naturally formed, narrow, typically navigable waterway that connects two larger bodies of water. Most commonly it is a channel of water that lies between two land masses.
So by definition all mouths of gulfs are straits. However, they are not exclusive to gulfs – the Straits of Magellan connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and the Bering Strait connects the Pacific with the Arctic Ocean.
Some straits are not navigable, for example because they are too shallow, or because of an unnavigable reef or archipelago.
Canal : If a strait is formed by human activities, it is called a canal. The Suez Canal, which links the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, enables easy passage between Europe and Asia, is such a man-made strait.
Difference Between Gulf and Strait
Meaning
Gulf is a portion of sea that penetrates the land.
Strait is a narrow passage of water that connects the 2 larger bodies of water
Location
Gulf connects the land and the sea.
Strait connects two water bodies
Formation
Gulf is always natural.
Strait may be man-made also (although then we call it a canal)
Utility
Gulf are excellent harbours.
Straits cant become a harbour.