Which is the largest landlocked harbor in the world? Recently, in some of the exam a question was asked regarding the largest landlocked harbor in the world. Here we give you the correct answer.
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What is a Harbor?
A harbor is a sheltered body of water where ships, boats, and other watercraft can anchor safely, load and unload cargo, or seek refuge from storms. It is typically surrounded by land on most sides and can be natural (formed by coastal geography) or artificial (constructed with breakwaters, seawalls, or docks). Harbors play a crucial role in trade, transportation, and naval operations.
Note: The term “harbor” can refer to a natural or man-made sheltered area for ships, while “port” is a more general term for a place where ships load and unload cargo. Some of the locations listed above are both harbors and ports.
What is a Landlocked Harbor?
A landlocked harbor is a harbor that is almost entirely surrounded by land, with only a narrow outlet or channel connecting it to the sea, ocean, or a large lake. This geographic feature provides natural protection from strong winds, waves, and storms, making it an excellent location for safe anchorage and port activities.
What are the Characteristics of a Landlocked Harbor?
The characteristics of a landlocked harbor are:
- Natural protection from harsh marine conditions.
- Limited access due to a narrow opening to the sea.
- Calm waters, making it ideal for docking and cargo handling.
Give Some Examples of landlocked Harbors.
- Visakhapatnam Harbor (India) – The only natural harbor on India’s east coast, offering excellent protection for shipping.
- Halifax Harbor (Canada) – One of the world’s largest ice-free natural harbors, well-protected from storms.
- Sydney Harbor (Australia) – Though it has a wide entrance, the deep and enclosed nature provides shelter, making it function like a landlocked harbor.
Which is the Largest Landlocked Harbor in the World?
While there’s no official list of the “top 10 largest landlocked harbors” or the “largest landlocked harbor in the world”. However, the San Francisco Bay, located in the state of California in the United States, is considered to be the largest landlocked harbor in the world. The San Francisco Bay covering more than 400 square miles.
As per NCERT Class 12 textbook on Geography “Fundamentals of Human Geography”, Chapter 8: International Trade, San Francisco is the largest landlocked harbor in the world.
See NCERT Textbooks – https://ncert.nic.in/textbook.php
Which is the Largest Landlocked Harbor in India?
The deepest and largest landlocked harbor in India is the Visakhapatnam Port located in Andhra Pradesh. The Visakhapatnam Port is situated in the Mahanadi delta, about 100 km from Cuttack, and is known for its deep harbor, suitable for handling very large vessels.
Check out: 13 Major Ports in India
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