There are a number of water bodies present on our planet Earth. Out of those waterbodies, there are Sea and a Gulf. These two terms are often confused with one another and are used interchangeably.
Sea is a large body of water but smaller than an ocean. On the other hand, the Gulf is smaller than both seas and oceans.
The significant difference between a sea and Gulf is that the sea might or might not be connected to another sea or ocean, but the Gulf is always connected to a sea or ocean on one end and to land on another.
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Key Differences –
Sea –
- Sea is a hollow water body that is usually smaller than an ocean. A Sea might or might not connect to a different sea or ocean.
- There are about 50 seas in the world.
- Seas are formed when the shallow regions get flooded etc.
Gulf –
- A gulf is a part of a sea or an ocean with a narrow opening towards the land.
- A Gulf is always connected to a sea or ocean.
- There are a total of 62 gulfs in the world.
- Gulfs are formed due to the movements of Earth’s plates in the crust.
Comparison Between Gulf And Sea
| Parameter | Gulf | Sea |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | A Gulf is a part of a sea or an ocean whose one end meets a sea or an ocean, and the other end meets the land. | A sea is a large water body in a big deep hollow space. |
| Area | Area of a Gulf is smaller than that of a Sea. | Area of a Sea is larger than that of a Gulf. |
| Connected to other seas | A Gulf is always connected to a sea or an ocean. | A Sea can or can not be connected to a different sea or an ocean. |
| Number | Gulfs are estimated to be 62 around the world. | A total of 7 seas are estimated to be around the world. |
| Populars | Some of the popular Gulfs are the Gulf of Mexico, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Thailand, etc. | Some of the popular seas are the Indian Ocean, Black Sea, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea |
Major Differences Between Gulf And Sea
What exactly is a Gulf?
A gulf is a part of an ocean or a sea that has a narrower opening to the land. A gulf is smaller than seas and oceans and is always connected to some sea or ocean.
A gulf is created around oceans and seas due to the tectonic plates’ movements under the Earth’s crust. Gulfs are enclosed by lands.
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Features –
- The gulf is a narrow opening towards land.
- Gulfs are always connected to other Seas and oceans.
What exactly is a Sea?
A sea is a large shallow body of water smaller than an ocean. Seas may or may not be connected to other seas and oceans. Seas are also enclosed by land. Seas are usually created when the shallow regions get flooded and mix into other seas and oceans.
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Features –
- A Sea is a hollow body full of water.
- A Sea might or might not be connected to other seas and oceans.
Contrast Between Gulf And Sea
Origin Of The Word
- Gulf – The word Gulf originated from the Old French word “golfe,” which originated from the Italian word “Golfo,” which originated from the Greek word “kolpos,” meaning “bosom, gulf”‘
- Sea – The word “Sea” originated from the Dutch word “zee” and the German word “see.”
Meaning
- Gulf – A gulf is a part of an ocean or Sea with a narrow opening.
- Sea – A sea is a vast hollow space covered in water.
Connected To Seas/Oceans
- Gulf – Gulf is always connected to other seas and oceans.
- Sea – A Sea might or might not be connected to another sea or ocean.
Area
- Gulf – Gulfs are smaller than the Seas.
- Sea – Seas are more significant than the Gulfs.
Number
- Gulf – Gulfs are estimated to be 7 in number.
- Sea – Seas are estimated to be 50 in number.
Examples
- Gulf – Some of the popular Gulfs are the Gulf of Mexico, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Alaska, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Thailand, etc.
- Sea -Some of the famous seas are the Indian Ocean, Black Sea, Red Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Adriatic Sea, Persian Gulf, and the Caspian Sea
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Popular Seas and Gulfs in the world –
Gulfs –
- Gulf of Mexico
- Persian Gulf
- Gulf of Guinea
- Gulf of Thailand
- Gulf of Oman
- Gulf of Alaska
- Gulf of Saint Lawrence
- Gulf of Mannar
- Gulf of Thailand
- Gulf of Riga
Seas –
- Indian Sea
- Black Sea
- Red Sea
- Mediterranean Sea
- Caspian Sea
- Adriatic Sea
Conclusion
Seas and Gulfs make people get baffled when it comes to an understanding the difference between these two water bodies. The significant difference between a Sea and a Gulf is that Seas are massive waterbodies, but a Gulf is a smaller one.
A sea can or can not be connected to another sea or ocean, but a gulf is always connected to a sea or an ocean. The total number of Seas in the world is estimated to be 7. On the other hand, Gulfs are estimated to be 62.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How are the Gulfs and Seas formed?
The reason behind the formation of the Gulfs is tectonic plates present beneath the Earth. These tectonic plates move under the Earth’s crust, and their movements result in the formation of the Gulfs.
Seas are generally formed when shallow areas get flooded and start to sink. Tsunamis and Floods are the main reasons behind the sinking of such shallow areas, which result in the formation of Seas.
Q2. What are some of the popular Gulfs around the world?
Some of the popular Gulfs around the world are the Gulf of Mexico, the Gulf of Thailand, the Gulf of Alaska, the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Guinea, etc.
Q3. What are the major differences between a Gulf and a Sea?
The significant differences between Gulf and Sea are as follows.
1. A Gulf is a water body that is connected with a Sea or an ocean and has a narrow opening towards the land, whereas a Sea is a massive shallow body filled with water.
2. Gulfs are very small, while Seas are very big.
3. A Gulf is always connected to a Sea or ocean, while a Sea might or might not be connected to another Sea or ocean.
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