Bay of Bengal

The Bay of Bengal is a large bay in the northeastern Indian Ocean. It is bordered by India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The bay is home to a wide variety of marine life, including whales, dolphins, sharks, and fish. It is also an important source of food and income for millions of people who live in the surrounding countries.

Rippled rockskipper – Istiblennius edentulus

Ornate goby – Istigobius ornatus

Two-spot razorfish – Iniistius bimaculatus

Favites Colemani – Favites colemani

Large sandgoby – Fusigobius maximus

Stony Coral – Favites magnistellata

Banded Brittlestar – Ophiolepis superba

Flower cardinalfish – Ostorhinchus fleurieu

Yellow boxfish – Ostracion cubicum

Common Octopus – Octopus cyanea

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Geography

The Bay of Bengal is the largest bay in the world, covering an area of about 2,172,000 square kilometers (838,000 sq mi). The bay is roughly triangular in shape, with its apex pointing towards the Indian subcontinent. The bay is bounded by the Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the west; by Bangladesh and Myanmar to the north; by Sri Lanka to the southwest; and by the Indonesian island of Sumatra to the southeast.

Depth

The average depth of the Bay of Bengal is about 2,600 meters (8,500 ft). The deepest point is the Sunda Trench, which reaches a depth of about 7,258 meters (23,812 ft).

Water Temperature

The water temperature in the Bay of Bengal varies depending on the season. During the summer months, the surface temperature can reach up to 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). During the winter months, the surface temperature can drop to as low as 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit).

Fauna

The Bay of Bengal is home to a wide variety of marine life, including:

  • Whales: Blue whales, sperm whales, humpback whales, and fin whales are all found in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Dolphins: There are several species of dolphins found in the bay, including the bottlenose dolphin, the Irrawaddy dolphin, and the Ganges river dolphin.
  • Sharks: The Bay of Bengal is home to a variety of shark species, including the whale shark, the tiger shark, and the bull shark.
  • Fish: The bay is rich in fish species, including tuna, mackerel, and sardines.
  • Sea turtles: Green sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles, and leatherback sea turtles are all found in the Bay of Bengal.
  • Seabirds: Many species of seabirds, including the brown booby, the red-footed booby, and the white-tailed tropicbird, can be found in the bay.

Surrounding Countries

The Bay of Bengal is bordered by several countries, including:

  • India
  • Bangladesh
  • Myanmar
  • Thailand
  • Sri Lanka
  • Indonesia

These countries are all interconnected with the bay in various ways, relying on it for resources and trade.

Importance

The Bay of Bengal is an important resource for the surrounding countries. The bay is a major source of food for millions of people who live in the region. The bay is also an important source of income for the fishing industry. In addition, the bay is a major shipping route for trade between the countries of Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent.

The bay is also home to a variety of endangered species, including the Irrawaddy dolphin, the Ganges river dolphin, and the leatherback sea turtle. These species are threatened by pollution, overfishing, and habitat loss.

The Bay of Bengal is an important ecosystem that is facing a number of challenges, including pollution, overfishing, and climate change. It is important to take steps to protect this vital resource for future generations.