Bab-el-Mandeb

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The Bab-el-Mandeb, alternatively Bab el Mandab, Bab al Mandab, or Bab al Mandeb means "Gate of Tears" in Arabic (باب المندب), is the strait separating the continents of Asia (Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula) and Africa (Djibouti, north of Somalia on the Horn of Africa), connecting the Red Sea to the Indian Ocean (Gulf of Aden). Note that some English maps simply state Mandab Strait to save space.

It derives its name from the dangers attending its navigation, or, according to an Arab legend, from the numbers who were drowned by the earthquake which separated Asia and Africa. It is both strategically important and one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.

The distance across is about 20 miles (30 km) from Ras Menheli on the Arabian coast to Ras Siyan on the African. The island of Perim divides the strait into two channels, of which the eastern, known as the Bab Iskender (Alexander's Strait), is 2 miles (3 km) wide and 16 fathoms (30 m) deep, while the western, or Dact-el-Mayun, has a width of about 16 miles (25 km) and a depth of 170 fathoms (310 m). Near the African coast lies a group of smaller islands known as the "Seven Brothers." There is a surface current inwards in the eastern channel, but a strong undercurrent outwards in the western channel.

The straits of Bab-el-Mandeb were probably witness to the massive emigrations that took place out of Africa some 85.000 to 75.000 years ago. Mitochondrial DNA studies have now established beyond doubt that the first humans lived in the African continent and subsequently populated the rest of the world through a series of emigrations beginning with the crossing of these straits.ar:مضيق باب المندب zh-min-nan:Bab-el-Mandeb Hái-kiap da:Bab el-Mandeb de:Bab al-Mandab et:Bab el Mandeb es:Bab-el-Mandeb eo:Funebra-Porda Markolo fr:Bab el Mandeb hr:Bab-el-Mandeb he:באב אל מנדב ja:バブ・エル・マンデブ海峡 pl:Bab al-Mandab ru:Баб-эль-Мандебский пролив sr:Баб-ел-Мандеб uk:Баб-ель-Мандебська протока