This article is about the large inlet from the ocean into landmass. For other uses, see Gulf (disambiguation).
A gulf is a large inlet from an ocean into a landmass, typically (though not always) with a narrower opening than a bay. The term was used traditionally for large, highly indented navigable bodies of salt water that are enclosed by the coastline.[1] Many gulfs are major shipping areas, such as the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Finland, and Gulf of Aden.[2]
^Gregory, George (1816). A Dictionary of Arts and Sciences. Vol. 2 (First American ed.). Philadelphia: Isaac Peirce. p. 269. Retrieved 25 June 2020. A sea is a smaller collection of waters; as the Black Sea. A gulf is a part of the sea which is nearly surrounded with land; as the gulf of Venice. A bay has a wider entrance than a gulf; as the Bay of Biscay. A strait is a narrow passage that joins.
^Duggal, Gita. Chowdhury, Baruna Ray (ed.). Madhubun ICSE Geography 6. New Delhi: Vikas Publishing House. p. 32. ISBN9789325994645. Retrieved 25 June 2020. A gulf is an inlet of an ocean or a sea deep into the land with a narrow mouth. It is more highly indented, more enclosed by the coast and larger than a bay. Some examples of gulfs are Persian Gulf, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Eden and Gulf of...