Nine Degree Channel
Appearance
The Nine Degree Channel is a channel in the Indian Ocean between the Laccadive Islands of Kalpeni and Suheli Par, and Maliku Atoll (Minicoy Island).[1] These two subgroups of islands, together with the Amindivi Subgroup, form the Indian Union Territory (UT) of Lakshadweep.[2]
The Channel is approximately 200 km wide with a depth of 2597 metres. The Investigator Bank is located in the southern region of the channel.
It is so named as it lies on the 9-degree line of Latitude, north of the equator.
Sea Lane of Strategic Importance
[edit]The 200 kilometres of the Nine Degree Channel separating Kalpeni and Suheli Par from Minicoy sees the passage of nearly all merchant shipping between Europe, the Middle-East and Western Asia with South-East Asia and the Far-East.
See also
[edit]- Geostrategic context
References
[edit]- ^ Prostar Sailing Directions 2005 India & Bay of Bengal Enroute, National Geospatial-intelligence Agency
- ^ "An Act to alter the name of the Union territory of the Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands". Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
External links
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