Berbera (gulf)

The Gulf of Berbera is a sleeve-shaped body of water connecting the Arabian Sea with the Red Sea, by way of the Strait of Bab el Mandeb. It extends 480 mi. from east to west, and in width measures from 160 to 200 mi. The Shiekdom of Hadramaut is north of the gulf, and the Islamic sultanates of Shewa are locatd along the African south coast (ancient Punt). Djibouti forms the western boundary. Socotra Island and Cape Elephant (the "Horn"), the easternmost point of Africa, mark the entrance to the gulf. Crater, Mukalla and Ash Shahar are the most important ports.

The gulf has long been an important waterway between Egypt and southern India, as well as providing access by sea to the Persian Gulf and Badakhshan; as such, the gulf is an integral part of the world's economy. Though richly supplied with fish, the scant population along the coasts fails to exploit this potential resource for more than subsistence needs.