Today we are going to talk about a type of sea that is found on the eastern limit of the Indian Ocean. Its about Java Sea. It is a sea that bathes the coasts of several islands and territories located in Indonesia. It has a large area and contains many mysteries that have intrigued humans for many years.
In this article we are going to tell you everything you need to know about the Java Sea and its characteristics.
Key features
It is a sea that is located on the eastern limit of the Indian Ocean. The name is not given because of the island of Java that marks its limit to the south. It has an area of about 310.000 square kilometers, 1.600 kilometers long (east-west) and about 380 kilometers wide (north-south). Being located in this area, it has geographical limits that are Borneo to the north, Sumatra to the west, Java to the south, and Sulawesi to the east. Furthermore, it is important to note that the Indian Ocean It is essential to understand the biodiversity of the Java Sea and the volcanic activity in Indonesia.
Aside from the islands we've mentioned, the entire coastal area also includes hundreds of smaller and less important islands. The most important of the group of coastlines bordering this sea are located in the far northwest and are the islands called Bangka and Belitung.
It is connected to the East China Sea in the northwest by the Karimata Strait and to the northeast by the Makassar Strait to the Celebes Sea. It is not a very deep sea, since the deepest point is about 1.590 meters. This deepest point is located in the Bali Sea. This is an inland sea and is a small subsidiary sea wedged between the islands of Bali and Kangean, hence its name. Some authors mention that this sea belongs to the Flores Sea. The extent of this small Inland sea of the East Java Sea 45.000 square kilometers. You can learn more about the characteristics of the depth of the seas in other articles.
Java Sea Economic Activities
This region of the planet contains significant reserves of oil and natural gas. Most of these reserves have yet to be exploited, so they are not yet considered the primary economic activity in these areas. Fishing is one of the most important economic activities in the Java Sea. More than 3.000 species live in the waters of this sea, making it rich in biodiversity. However, fishing is prohibited in some areas that are protected by law to conserve both flora and fauna. Some of these protected areas are Karimunjawa and Thousand Islands National Parks, where the richness of the marine biodiversity and volcanoes in the region.
As for navigation and maritime transport, they are also important economic activities. Some of the most important ports in Indonesia are located throughout this area. The most important port is the one located in the capital of Jakarta but also those of Semarang, Surabaya and Urjung Pandang, among others. This makes it a nerve center of trade in the Indian Ocean.
Tourism is also a major economic activity. All coastal areas surrounding the Java Sea boast important tourist destinations with quality sun and beaches. Every year, thousands of travelers flock to these places to scuba dive and explore the seabed. As mentioned before, this sea boasts a wealth of biodiversity, and therefore, its many underwater caves, coral reefs, and shipwrecks are attractive to all diving experts. Bali, specifically, is the most important tourist destination in the Java Sea and throughout Indonesia, where you can enjoy many activities. volcanic curiosities.
Mysteries of the Java Sea
This sea witnessed major naval battles during World War II. The engagement was devastating; the main target was the transports carrying troops to Java for a land invasion. 2.200 soldiers died in battle, of whom 900 were Dutch and 250 were residents of the European country's colonies in Indonesia. All of these bodies have been at the bottom of the sea for over 75 years. These bodies are located in the remains of 3 large warships that have served as an underwater tomb. All the soldiers have been searched for by an expedition. The remains of these ships appear to have disappeared completely. It's not easy for ships that once weighed 6.500 tons, as is the case with one of them, to disappear so quickly.
The theories about these mysteries have nothing to do with the supernatural. Pirates and junk dealers have been responsible for dismantling the parts of large warships, as they are a treasure for all those who wish to resell precious materials. For years, the scrap dealers have been locating the wreckage of the ships and have stolen all their partsAmong the most notable materials are metal, aluminum, and brass. More than 100 submarines and ships sank in these waters during the war, making them one of the world's largest submarine cemeteries, where some can also be found. interesting volcanic remains.
There are many treasure hunters in Indonesian waters due to the war. This treasure hunt has turned this activity into a significant source of income. You could call it a treasure industry. This has also become a tourist attraction, as many people dive into the waters to search for the remains of these vessels. Most of these people do so for recreational purposes. Added to this is the difficulty of preserving and protecting so many vessels lying dormant at the bottom of the sea. Especially, it is difficult to conserve those boats that are far from the metropolis, despite the fact that they have the collaboration of local authorities.
As you can see, this sea holds some mysteries and secrets that make it more attractive for tourists to travel there. I hope that with this information you can learn more about the Java Sea and its characteristics.