The only country in the world that is bathed by both the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean

The oceans occupy about 71% of the Earth, which are sometimes associated with other smaller water “bodies” that could be considered as their extensions. Examples of such water bodies extending into the Indian Ocean include the Red Sea, the Timor Sea, and the Andaman Sea, while the Atlantic Ocean extends from the Mediterranean Sea, the Black Sea, and the Norwegian Sea. Did you know that there are only three countries in the world with coasts in both the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean?

South Africa

Officially known as the Republic of South Africa (RSA), the South Africa is a country located in the southernmost region of the African continent. The nation’s coastline, which is bordered by both the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, is about 2,800 km long and the two oceans border the country in its southern part, which are connected by Cape Agulhas rather than Cape of Good Hope, as previously believed. The currents of the two oceans sometimes end up meeting at Cape Point, which is located about 120 km east of the Cape of Good Hope.

Egypt

In northern Africa, the Egypt bridges with Asia from the Sinai Peninsula. Strictly, the country borders only the expanses of both the Atlantic and the Indian Ocean, ie the Mediterranean and the Red Sea respectively. The transatlantic link between these two seas is the Suez Canal, which is about 193 km long. The Mediterranean Sea borders Egypt to the northeast, while the Red Sea is to the south and east.

Israel

In the western part of the Asian continent, the Israel, like Egypt above, borders the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. There is no water “body” connecting the two seas, as the Mediterranean Sea borders the country in the north, while the Red Sea borders Israel to the south.

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