The Red Sea lies between northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
The Red Sea is a seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean, connected to the Gulf of Aden through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. Its western shores include Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea, while its eastern shores include Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The sea is about 2,250 kilometres long and relatively narrow compared with its length.
It occupies a developing rift zone where the African and Arabian tectonic plates are moving apart. This geological setting helps explain its deep central trough, volcanic features, and high salinity in many areas. Limited rainfall and intense evaporation contribute to the sea’s saltiness.
The name does not mean that the entire sea is permanently red. It may refer to seasonal blooms of reddish algae, reddish mountains, or ancient geographical naming traditions. The Red Sea has long been important for trade and navigation, and the Suez Canal connects it with the Mediterranean Sea, shortening routes between Europe and Asia.