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Mozambique Channel Facts

Mozambique Channel Facts
The Mozambique Channel is located in the Indian Ocean, between Mozambique and Madagascar. It is considered to be an arm of the Indian Ocean, which stretches roughly 1,000 miles in length and varies in width from 300 to 600 miles at different spots. The Mozambique Channel's average depth is 10,801 feet.
Interesting Mozambique Channel Facts:
The Mozambique Channel is an important African trade route.
African countries that border the Mozambique Channel include Comoros, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
There are strong ocean currents in the Mozambique Channel, notably the Mozambique and Agulhas currents. The Mozambique current flows southward in the channel leading into the Agulhas current.
The Mozambique Channel is considered to be a breeding ground for some of the more severe cyclones in the southern hemisphere.
All of Madagascar's rivers flow into the Mozambique Channel.
Islands that are located in the Mozambique Channel include the Comoros Archipelago islands (Grande Comore, Moheli, and Anjouan), Mozambique's Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago, Banc de Geyser (island claimed by Madagascar and Comoros), Juan de Nova Island (Madagascar), Europa (Madagascar), and Bassa da India (Madagascar).
During the Battle of Madagascar in World War II the Mozambique Channel was a clash point between Allied forces and the Axis.
Ports along the Mozambique Channel include Maputo, Beira, Mocambique, Toliary, and Mahajanga.
The highest coral diversity in the northern, western, and central Indian Ocean are found in the Mozambique Channel. There have been 250-300 coral species identified to date but it is believed that it will be closer to 450 species being identified eventually.


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