Info Nuggets: The strategic significance of straits
Chokepoints of the sea
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Lifelines of international trade and navigation
What is a strait?
A strait is a narrow natural waterway that connects two larger bodies of water, often seas or oceans and separates two landmasses. Straits play a crucial role in international navigation, trade and geopolitics.
UPSC fact: Straits are critical chokepoints in maritime trade. Disruption in straits like the Strait of Hormuz can affect global oil supply.
Strait vs Isthmus
Feature | Strait | Isthmus |
Definition | Narrow water passage connecting two water bodies | Narrow land strip connecting two landmasses |
Medium | Water | Land |
Separates | Two landmasses | Two water bodies |
Examples | Strait of Gibraltar, Palk Strait | Isthmus of Panama, Isthmus of Kra |
Strategic Use | Navigation, shipping lanes | Transportation, land link for trade |
Important straits in news & their strategic importance
Strait | Connects | Strategic Importance |
Strait of Hormuz | Persian Gulf & Gulf of Oman | Key chokepoint for global oil exports (over 20% of world’s oil trade passes here) |
Bab-el-Mandeb | Red Sea & Gulf of Aden | Vital for Suez Canal shipping; under threat due to Yemen conflict and piracy |
Strait of Malacca | Indian Ocean & South China Sea | World’s busiest maritime route; crucial for Chinese and Indian trade |
Palk Strait | India (Tamil Nadu) & Sri Lanka | Historical, cultural and strategic naval boundary zone |
Bering Strait | Russia & Alaska (US) | Potential Arctic shipping route; under increased attention due to climate change |
Turkish Straits | Black Sea & Mediterranean (Bosporus, Dardanelles) | Key for Russian exports; controlled by Turkey under Montreux Convention |
Strait of Gibraltar | Atlantic Ocean & Mediterranean Sea | Strategic for NATO; gateway between Europe and Africa |
Sunda & Lombok Straits | Java Sea & Indian Ocean | Alternative route to Strait of Malacca; vulnerable to volcanic disruptions |
Taiwan Strait | Taiwan & Mainland China | Flashpoint in Indo-Pacific geopolitics; surveillance and military exercises |
Other important geographical terms (UPSC-related)
Term | Meaning / Example |
Peninsula | Land surrounded by water on 3 sides (e.g., Indian Peninsula) |
Delta | Fertile deposition at river mouth (e.g., Sunderbans) |
Estuary | Tidal mouth of a river (e.g., Narmada estuary) |
Archipelago | Group of islands (e.g., Andaman & Nicobar Islands) |
Lagoon | Shallow body of water separated from sea (e.g., Chilika Lake) |
Atoll | Ring-shaped coral island (e.g., Lakshadweep) |
Cape | Pointed piece of land jutting into the sea (e.g., Cape Comorin / Kanyakumari) |
Tombolo | A sandbar connecting an island to the mainland |
Fiord | Glacially carved narrow inlet (e.g., Norway’s coastline) |
UPSC relevance
- GS Paper I (Geography) – Landforms, strategic locations
- GS Paper II (IR) – Maritime routes, chokepoints, Indo-Pacific strategy
- Prelims – MCQs on straits, maps, location-based questions
- Essay/GS IV (Security) – Role of maritime chokepoints in India’s national security and energy needs
UPSC-style questions
🔹 Short answer type (150 words)
- What is a strait? How is it different from an isthmus?
- Briefly explain the importance of the Strait of Hormuz in global energy trade.
- Mention any three strategically important straits and the countries they separate.
🔹 Long answer type (250 words)
- Examine the strategic significance of the Strait of Malacca for India’s maritime security and trade.
- Discuss how geographical chokepoints like straits impact global trade and geopolitics.
- Compare and contrast the importance of the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb and the Strait of Gibraltar.
🔹 Analytical/Essay-type
- “Control of straits is control of trade.” Discuss the implications of this statement in the context of Indo-Pacific geopolitics.
- How do geographical features like straits and isthmuses shape international relations and naval strategy?
- With growing maritime competition in the Indo-Pacific, how can India secure its interests across vital straits?
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