Red Sea (Egypt) - a unique ecosystem

The theme of this article will be a beautiful and unique Red Sea. Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Sudan and several other countries border its shores. Many of these countries, thanks to their developed infrastructure, are tourist Mecks, especially in the winter. And what is the uniqueness of this water area? And why is it called Red Sea? What is the climate and the underwater world?

Formation of water area

The Red Sea is relatively young. It was formed only twenty-five-odd million years ago as a result of a tectonic fault. Plates - African and Arabian - continue their drift from each other. From this movement, relentlessly, at a speed of one meter per century, the Red Sea expands. Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea are moving away from the eastern banks of Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Geologists have calculated that in thousands of years the Black Continent will change its shape as a result of the deepening of the fault: the Great Lakes will disappear, and the African Horn will go under the water. But so far the water area is considered the inland sea of the Indian Ocean. The tectonic fault (axial trope) has reached a depth of three kilometers, but the sea abounds and shoals, so its average depth is only 440 meters.

Why is it so called

The etymology of the name of this water area still causes a lot of controversy. The most obvious conclusion is the seasonal flowering of algae, which for a short time stains the azure waters in a reddish-brown color. But this too prosaic reason does not satisfy scientists. There is an opinion that the water area is named after the Semitic tribe of the Himyarites, who lived in South Arabia. Because of them, the Arabs began to call the sea Bahr al-Ahmar, which also means "red." There is another explanation given by the Bible. Jews for a long time were in Egyptian slavery. Moses raised his people and led him in search of the Promised Land. After long walks, the Red Sea appeared before them. Egypt, the land of slavery, was behind, and ahead - an insurmountable obstacle. But Moses prayed to God, and the waters parted. The red cliffs of coral reefs appeared to the eyes. The Israelis went this way, and the waves closed over the heads of the Egyptian persecutors. From their blood the sea got its name. So says the legend.

Geography

Before us is the map of the Red Sea. Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Israel and Jordan are located along the coast. The sea is the official border between Asia and Africa. A narrow fault of tectonic origin extends a thousand kilometers from north to south. The Suez Canal, connecting the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, is rather narrow and blocked by locks. Through it there is no water exchange. The only connection with the World Ocean is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait (the translation of this geographical name is rather poetic - "The Gate of Tears"). It is enough to look at the map to notice that no river flows into the Red Sea. This determines the uniqueness of the water area. Without the supply of fresh water and huge volatility in a tropical climate, the Red Sea formed a large salinity - 41 ppm in summer and 37 in winter, when occasional rains occur. For comparison: the average salinity of the World Ocean is 34 ppm, the Black Sea is 18, the Baltic (the freshest) is only 5.

Climate

Most of the water area lies in the tropical belt. Only in the far north is the Mediterranean climate. Therefore, one of the popular destinations for winter recreation is the Red Sea. Egypt and Jordan have long been fond of our tourists, especially since the flight there is short - only four hours. The hot sun and the great depth of the sea does not allow the water temperature to fall below the level of +20 ^о С, even in the coldest month - January. And in summer the heat here is truly African - +35 ... +40 ^о С. Sometimes the thermometer's column jumps even up to +50 ^о С. And the temperature of the water in the hottest month - August - is very comfortable - +27 ^о С. The resorts of Egypt on the Red The sea is diverse and allows you to have a good rest for different categories of tourists. There is an opinion that there are only two of them - Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh. But in fact, these are large spa agglomerations, which stretch along the coast for many hundreds of kilometers. El Gouna is a beautiful romantic place, and in Safaga arthritis is treated. In Naama Bay, young people have fun, in the luxurious Sharm el-Sheikh rests the richer audience, in Hurghada - more victorious, and Dahab and Marsa-Alam is a paradise for divers and surfers.

Undersea world

Constantly high water temperature causes a huge variety of animal and plant life in this area. Along the coast stretches extensive coral reefs. About a thousand tropical fish species of the most diverse forms and colors inhabit the Red Sea. Sharks, stingrays and predatory morays glide between reefs in search of prey. These fish, if not teased, do not pose a great danger to a person. At the surface you can see several species of dolphins, but the glory of the Red Sea is still brought by small inhabitants of coral reefs - fish, which bear such eloquent names as clown, butterfly, Napoleon, angel, sultan.