Location of Mozambique Channel

The Mozambique Channel is a portion of the Indian Ocean located between Madagascar and Mozambique. It was a World War II clashpoint during the Battle of Madagascar. The channel is approximately 460 km (286 mi) across at its narrowest point between Angoche, Mozambique, and Tambohorano, Madagascar.

The channel reaches a depth of 3,292 m (10,800 feet) about 230 km (143 mi) off the coast of Mozambique. A warm current flows in a southward direction in the channel, leading into the Agulhas Current off the east coast of South Africa. It is around 1000 miles (1600 km) long and the width of it varies from 250–600 miles (400–950 km).

Extent [edit]

The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) defines the limits of the Mozambique Channel as follows:^[1]

On the North. A line from the estuary of the River Rovuma (10°28′S 40°26′E / 10.467°S 40.433°E / -10.467; 40.433) to Ras Habu, the Northern point of Ile Grande Comore, the Northern of the Comore (Comoro) Islands, to Cap d'Ambre (Amber) the Northern extremity of Madagascar (11°57′S 49°17′E / 11.950°S 49.283°E / -11.950; 49.283).

On the East. The West coast of Madagascar.

On the South. A line from Cap Sainte-Marie, the Southern extreme of Madagascar to Ponto do Ouro on the mainland (26°53′S 32°56′E / 26.883°S 32.933°E / -26.883; 32.933).

On the West. The mainland of South Africa.

Despite being defined as the South African coast by the IHO, the western limit of the channel is more correctly defined as the coast of Southern Africa or, more specifically, of Mozambique.

Islands in the channel [edit]

Comoros [edit]

• Grande Comore
• Mohéli
• Anjouan

France [edit]

• Mayotte
• Banc du Geyser
• Glorioso Islands
• Juan de Nova Island
• Europa Island
• Bassas da India

Mozambique [edit]

Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago

References [edit]

External links [edit]

• Japanese Submarines at Madagascar and the Mozambique Channel
•  Beach, Chandler B., ed. (1914). "Mozambique Channel". The New Student's Reference Work. Chicago: F. E. Compton and Co. 

Coordinates: 18°S 41°E / 18°S 41°E / -18; 41

This Mozambique location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This Madagascar location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This Comoros location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

This Mayotte location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e