The topic of this article will be a beautiful and unique Red Sea.Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Sudan and several other countries, bordered by its shore.Many of these countries, thanks to its sophisticated infrastructure, is a tourist mecca, especially in winter.And what is the uniqueness of the water area?And why is it called - the Red Sea?What's the climate and the underwater world?
Education waters of the Red Sea
relatively young.It formed is only twenty-five-odd million years ago due to tectonic faults.Plates - the African and Arabian - continue their drift apart.The movement relentlessly, at a rate of a meter per century, expanding the Red Sea.Egypt, Sudan and Eritrea are removed from on the eastern coast of Yemen and Saudi Arabia.Geologists estimate that through thousands of years of the Dark Continent as a result of the deepening rift change its shape: disappear Great Lakes and the Horn of Africa will go under water.But while that is considered to be an inland sea waters of the Indian Ocean.Tectonic rift (trough axis) reached a depth of three kilometers, but the sea and the teeming shoals, so its average depth - only 440 meters.
Why is it so called
etymology of the name of the waters is still causing a lot of controversy.The most obvious conclusion - a seasonal algae bloom, which briefly stained with azure waters in a reddish-brown color.But this is too prosaic reason does not satisfy scientists.It argued that the water area is named after the inhabited South Arabia Semitic tribe himyaritov.Because of them, the Arabs came to be called the sea "Bahr al Ahmar", and that also means "red."There is another explanation, which gives the Bible.Jews had long been in Egyptian slavery.Moses raised his people and led him to search for the Promised Land.After long walks in front of them seemed the Red Sea.Egypt, the land of slavery, were behind and in front - an insurmountable obstacle.Moses prayed to God, and the waters parted.Eyes appeared red rocks of coral reefs.Israel passed this way, and the waves closed over the heads of his pursuers-Egyptians.From their blood the sea and owes its name.So says the legend.
Geography
Before us map of the Red Sea.Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Israel and Jordan are situated on the banks.The sea is the official boundary between Asia and Africa.Narrow tectonic fault extends for thousands of kilometers from north to south.The Suez Canal, which connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, is quite narrow and blocked by gateways.Through it is not water exchange.The only connection with the oceans - the Strait of Bab el Mandeb (the translation of the place name is quite poetic - "Gate of Tears").Just look at the map to note that the Red Sea does not fall into any river.This causes a unique area.Without fresh water supply, and the huge volatility in a tropical climate at the Red Sea formed the Great Salt - 41 ppm in summer and 37 in winter, when the rains occur rare.For comparison, the average salinity of the oceans 34 ppm Black Sea - 18 Baltic (of unleavened) - only 5.
Climate
Most of the water area lies in the tropics.Only in the far north has a Mediterranean climate.Therefore, one of the most popular destinations for winter holidays is the Red Sea.Egypt and Jordan have long been fond of our tourists, especially since roundtrip brief - only four hours.The hot sun and a great depth of the sea does not allow the water temperature dropped below 20 ° C even in the coldest month - January.And in the summer heat is a truly African - 35 ... +40 ° C.Sometimes the thermometer jumps even up to +50 ° C.A water temperature in the hottest month - August - very comfortable - 27 ° C.Resorts in Egypt on the Red Sea are varied and allow a good rest to different categories of travelers.Some people believe that there are only two - Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh.But in fact it is a large resort agglomerates chain stretching along the coast for hundreds of kilometers.El Gouna - is the perfect romantic spot and treat arthritis in Safaga.In Naama Bay merry youth, luxurious Sharm el-Sheikh rests audience richer in Hurghada - poorer and Dahab and Marsa Alam - a paradise for divers and surfers.
UNDERWATER
Constantly high water temperature causes a huge variety of flora and fauna of the area.Along the coast of the vast coral reefs stretch.About a thousand of tropical species of fish of various shapes and colors inhabit the Red Sea.Sharks, stingrays and predatory moray eels slip between the reefs in search of prey.These fish, if they are not to tease, do not pose a great danger to humans.On the surface you can see several species of dolphins, but the glory of the Red Sea brings all the little inhabitants of the coral reef - fish bearing such evocative names as a clown, butterfly, wrasses, angel, Sultan.
