Red Sea, Narrow inland sea between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa. It extends southeast from Suez, Egypt (initially as the Gulf of Suez), for about 1,200 mi (1,930 km) to the Strait of Mandeb, which connects with the Gulf of Aden and then with the Arabian Sea. The Red Sea separates the coasts of Egypt, Sudan, and Eritrea from those of Saudi Arabia and Yemen. The Gulf of Aqaba, a northeastern extension of the sea, reaches southern Israel and southwestern Jordan. The sea contains some of the world’s warmest and saltiest seawater. With its connection to the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal, it is one of the most heavily traveled waterways in the world, carrying traffic between Europe and Asia. Its name is derived from the colour changes observed in its waters.
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