Editing Bay of Bengal

{{Short description|Northeastern part of the Indian Ocean}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2020}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name               = Bay of Bengal
| image              = Bay of Bengal map.png
| caption            = A map of the Bay of Bengal
| alt                = A map of the Bay of Bengal
| image_bathymetry   =
| caption_bathymetry = TSM
| location           = South Asia and Southeast Asia
| coords             = {{coord|15|N|88|E|type:waterbody_scale:10000000|display=inline,title}}
| type               = Bay
| inflow             = Indian Ocean
| outflow            =
| catchment          =
| basin_countries    = [[Bangladesh]]<br />[[India]]<br />[[Indonesia]]<br />[[Myanmar]]<br />[[Sri Lanka]]
| length             = {{convert|2090|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| width              = {{convert|1610|km|mi|abbr=on}}
| area               = {{convert|26,00,000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}
| depth              = {{convert|2600|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| max-depth          = {{convert|4694|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| other_name         =
<!--      Map      -->
| pushpin_map             = 
| pushpin_label_position  = bottom
| mapframe       = yes
<!--   Below       -->  
| reference          = World Atlas,<ref name=world/>[[Asiatic Society|Asiatic Society of Bengal (India)]], [[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]]<ref name=asiatic/>
}}

The '''Bay of Bengal''' is the northeastern part of the [[Indian Ocean]]. Geographically it is positioned between the [[Indian subcontinent]] and the [[Mainland Southeast Asia|Indochinese peninsula]], located below the [[Bengal region]].

Many South Asian and Southeast Asian [[Countries of the Bay of Bengal|countries are dependent on the Bay of Bengal]]. Geopolitically, the bay is bounded on the west and northwest by India, on the north by Bangladesh, and on the east by Myanmar and the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]] of India. Its southern limit is a line between [[Sangaman Kanda]], Sri Lanka, and the northwesternmost point of [[Sumatra]], Indonesia.<ref name=world>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/baybengal.htm|title=Map of Bay of Benglal- World Seas, Bay of Bengal Map Location – World Atlas|date=4 February 2021|access-date=18 November 2011|archive-date=3 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130703043447/http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/baybengal.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=asiatic>{{cite book |last=Chowdhury |first=Sifatul Quader |year=2012 |chapter=Bay of Bengal |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Bay_of_Bengal |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=[[Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh]] |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304211339/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Bay_of_Bengal |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Cox's Bazar Beach|Cox's Bazar]], the longest sea beach in the world and [[Sundarbans]], the largest [[mangrove forest]] and the natural habitat of the [[Bengal tiger]], are located along the bay.

The Bay of Bengal occupies an area of {{convert|2600,000|km2}}. A number of large rivers flow into the Bay of Bengal: the [[Ganges]]–[[Hooghly River|Hooghly]], the [[Padma River|Padma]], the [[Brahmaputra River|Brahmaputra]]–[[Jamuna River (Bangladesh)|Jamuna]], the [[Barak River|Barak]]–[[Surma River|Surma]]–[[Meghna River|Meghna]], the [[Irrawaddy River|Irrawaddy]], the [[Godavari]], the [[Mahanadi]], the [[Brahmani River|Brahmani]], the [[Baitarani]], the [[Krishna River|Krishna]], the [[Kaveri]] and the [[Penna River|Penna River]].

== Background ==
=== Extent ===
{{anchor| Extent}}
The [[International Hydrographic Organization]] defines the limits of the Bay of Bengal as follows:<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/standards/s-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |title=Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition |year=1953 |publisher=International Hydrographic Organization |access-date=28 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008191433/http://www.iho.int/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>

::''On the east:'' A line running from [[Cape Negrais]] (16°03'N) in Burma through the larger islands of the [[Andaman Islands|Andaman]] group, in such a way that all the narrow waters between the islands lie Eastward of the line and are excluded from the Bay of Bengal, as far as a point in [[Little Andaman]] Island in latitude 10°48'N, longitude 92°24'E and thence along the Southwest limit of the [[Burma Sea]] [A line running from ''"[[Point Raja|Oedjong Raja]]"'' <nowiki>[</nowiki>''"Ujung Raja" or "Point Raja"''] ({{coord|5|32|N|95|12|E|display=inline}}) in [[Sumatra]] to [[Breueh Island|Poeloe Bras]] (Breuëh) and on through the Western Islands of the [[Nicobar Islands|Nicobar]] Group to Sandy Point in Little Andaman Island, in such a way that all the narrow waters appertain to the Burma Sea].

::''On the south:'' [[Adam's Bridge]] (between India and Ceylon) and from the Southern extreme of [[Dondra Head]] (South point of Ceylon) to the North point of [[Poeloe Bras]] ({{coord|5|44|N|95|04|E|display=inline}}).

Note: Oedjong means "[[Cape (geography)|cape]]" in Dutch language on maps of the [[Dutch East Indies|Netherlands East Indies]] (Indonesia).<ref name=oedjong1>[https://books.google.com/books?id=OIAsAAAAIAAJ&dq=Oedjong+meaning&pg=PA115 Glossary of Terms Appearing on Maps of the Netherlands East Indies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327155602/https://books.google.com/books?id=OIAsAAAAIAAJ&dq=Oedjong+meaning&pg=PA115 |date=27 March 2023 }}, United States Army Map Service, page 115.</ref>

=== Etymology ===
The bay gets its name from the [[History of Bengal|historical Bengal]] region (modern-day [[Bangladesh]] and the Indian states of [[West Bengal]], [[Tripura]] and the [[Barak Valley|Barak valley]] of Southern [[Assam]]). In Ancient Indian [[Shastra|scriptures]], this water body may have been referred to as '''Mahodadhi'''.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dey |first1=Nundo Lal |title=Geographical Dictionary of Ancient and Mediæval India |year=1927 |publisher=Luzac & Co. |page=120 |edition=2nd |url=https://archive.org/details/dli.ernet.277143/page/120/mode/1up}}</ref> Ancient Romans called it ''Sinus Gangeticus'' or ''Gangeticus Sinus'' whilst Ancient Greeks called it in {{langx|grc|Κόλπος Γαγγητικός}}, meaning "Gulf of the Ganges",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dictionary of Greek and Roman Geography (1854), GANGE´TICUS SINUS |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0064:entry=gangeticus-sinus-geo |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020164547/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0064:entry=gangeticus-sinus-geo |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Harry Thurston Peck, Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities (1898), Gangetĭcus Sinus |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0062:entry=gangeticus-sinus-harpers |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=www.perseus.tufts.edu |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020164559/https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus:text:1999.04.0062:entry=gangeticus-sinus-harpers |url-status=live}}</ref> and old European maps continued to use this name.<ref>[[commons:File:1794 Anville Map of the Ancient World - Geographicus - AncientWorld-anville-1794.jpg|1794, Orbis Veteribus Notus by Jean Baptiste Bourguignon d'Anville]]</ref>

=== History ===
<!-- CAUTION: Phrase headings in a way that is both logical (first tectonic plates, then geology, geography, ecology, etc) and alphabetical. The choice of terminology is therefore important: pipe accordingly and mention alternative terms in the section lede. -->
[[File:Andaman ross is.jpg|thumb|Ross Island, in the [[Andaman Islands|Andamans]], was one of the main naval bases of India during [[World War II]]]]
In ancient [[Classical India]], the Bay of Bengal was known as Vaṅgasāgara ([[Vanga Kingdom|Vanga]] Sea).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.70002/page/n109/mode/1up|year=1949|page=57|first=B.ch|last=Chhabra|title=Epigraphic Indica}}</ref> Another name used mainly in ancient [[Tamil literature]] was Vanga Kadal ([[Vanga kingdom|Vanga]] Sea or Ocean). It was also known as Kalinga Sagar ([[Kalinga (historical region)|Kalinga]] Sea).<ref name="reemerge">{{cite journal | last=Agarwala | first=Nitin | title=The Re-Emergence of the Bay of Bengal | journal=The Journal of Territorial and Maritime Studies | publisher=McFarland & Company | volume=7 | issue=2 | year=2020 | issn=2288-6834 | jstor=jtms.7.2.49 | pages=49–73 | url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/jtms.7.2.49 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |title=Maritime Trade of Ancient Kalinga |url=http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2011/Nov/engpdf/39-41.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414084418/http://magazines.odisha.gov.in/Orissareview/2011/Nov/engpdf/39-41.pdf |archive-date=2021-04-14 |url-status=live |publisher=Orissa Review |page=41 |last=Mohanty |first=PC |date=November 2011}}</ref> 

[[Northern Circars]] occupied the western coast of the Bay of Bengal and is now considered to be India's Odisha and Andhra Pradesh state. [[Chola dynasty]] (9th century to 12th century) when ruled by [[Rajaraja Chola I]] and [[Rajendra Chola I]] occupied and controlled the Bay of Bengal with [[Chola Navy]] [[Medieval Cholas|circa AD&nbsp;1014]], the Bay of Bengal was also called the Chola Sea or Chola Lake.<ref name="reemerge"/>

The [[Kakatiya dynasty]] reached the western coastline of the Bay of Bengal between the Godavari and the Krishna rivers. [[Kushan Empire|Kushanas]] about the middle of the [[History of India#Early classical period (c. 200 BCE – c. 320 CE)|1st century AD]] invaded northern India perhaps extending as far as the Bay of Bengal. [[Chandragupta Maurya]] extended the [[Military history of India#Maurya Empire|Maurya Dynasty]] across northern India to the Bay of Bengal. [[Diamond Harbour|Hajipur]] was a stronghold for Portuguese Pirates. In the 16th century, the Portuguese built trading posts in the north of the Bay of Bengal at Chittagong (Porto Grande) and [[Saptagram|Satgaon]] (Porto Pequeno).<ref>[http://www.colonialvoyage.com/bengal.html The Portuguese in Bengal. History of Ugolim (Hoogli), Meliapore ...] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203140122/http://www.colonialvoyage.com/bengal.html |date=3 February 2007 }} URL accessed 21 January 2007</ref>

The earliest sign of Muslims in the region came from the textile trade routes where one targeted the east Arabian Sea influencing migration of Arabs and Persians and another to the west causing Buddhist Bengalis to culturally mix with Islam.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Eaton |first=Richard M. |title=The Rise of Islam and the Bengal Frontier, 1204–1760 |publisher=[[University of California Press]] |year=1993 |url=https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft067n99v9&chunk.id=ch01&toc.depth=1&toc.id=ch01&brand=ucpress |access-date=6 December 2022 |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206124202/https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft067n99v9&chunk.id=ch01&toc.depth=1&toc.id=ch01&brand=ucpress |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Historic sites ====
[[File:Shore Temple on Bay of Bengal.jpg|thumb|right|The Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the shore of the Bay of Bengal.]]
In alphabetical order:
* [[Antarvedi]] is a popular place of worship Southern India, in [[Konaseema district]] of Andhra Pradesh devoted to Sri Lakshmi [[Narasimha]] Swamy Temple. This is the place where one of the distributaries of [[Godavari River]] meets the Bay of Bengal.<ref>{{cite news |last=Chakravorty |first=Sohini |date=5 January 2012 |title=In the lap of Godavari, all the time to sit and stare |url=https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/in-the-lap-of-godavari-all-the-time-to-sit-and-stare/article2777546.ece |work=The Hindu |access-date=10 December 2021 |archive-date=10 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210134909/https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/in-the-lap-of-godavari-all-the-time-to-sit-and-stare/article2777546.ece |url-status=live }}</ref>
* [[Arikamedu]] is an archaeological site in Southern India, in Kakkayanthope, Ariyankuppam Commune, Puducherry. It is 4 kilometres (2.5&nbsp;mi) from the capital, Pondicherry of the Indian territory of Puducherry
* British penal colony: [[Cellular Jail]] or "Black Waters" built in 1896 on [[Ross island (Andaman)|Ross Island]], a part of the Andaman Island Chain. As early as 1858, this island was used as a British penal colony for political prisoners facing life imprisonment.<ref name="ACJ.org">{{cite web |url=http://www.andamancellularjail.org/History.htm##Link2 |title=History of Andaman Cellular Jail: Recapture of Andaman Islands to keep Political Prisoners |website=AndamanCellularJail.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070113111037/http://www.andamancellularjail.org/History.htm |archive-date=13 January 2007 |url-status=usurped |access-date=6 August 2010}}</ref>{{better source needed|reason=Citation is a website with none of the characteristics of a reliable source; there must be more scholarly sources for this.|date=November 2016}}
* Buddhist heritage sites of [[Pavurallakonda]], [[Thotlakonda]] and [[Bavikonda]] lie along the coast of Bay of Bengal at [[Visakhapatnam]] in India.
* [[Konark]] is the home of the [[Konark Sun Temple|Sun Temple]] or Black Pagoda. This Brahman sanctuary was built of black granite mid-1200 AD and has been declared a [[World Heritage Site]].
* [[Jagannath Temple, Puri|Jagannath Temple]] at [[Puri]] is one of the four sacred places in Hindu pilgrimage along with Puri beach on the banks of Bay of Bengal. Mahodadhi was named after Lord [[Jagannath]].
* [[Ramanathaswamy Temple]] is at Dhanushkodi, where the Bay of Bengal and the Gulf of Mannar come together.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://ramayana.com/holy_places.htm |title=Ramayana |date=16 August 2005 |website=Ramayana.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050816184403/http://ramayana.com/holy_places.htm |archive-date=16 August 2005 }}</ref>
* [[Seven Pagodas of Mahabalipuram]] is the name for [[Mahabalipuram]]. Mahabalipuram's [[Shore Temple]], a [[World Heritage Site]] was constructed in the 8th century AD and myth has it that six other temples were built here.
* Sri Vaisakheswara Swamy temple lies two kilometers from the Visakhapatnam coast under the Bay of Bengal's sea bed. Spokespeople from [[Andhra University]] Centre for [[Marine Archaeology]] say the temple may be opposite the Coastal Battery.<ref>[http://www.morien-institute.org/uwnews2006a.html Morien Institute – underwater discoveries news archive, January–June 2006, "Sri Vaisakheswara still lies underwater"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060414161444/http://www.morien-institute.org/uwnews2006a.html |date=14 April 2006 }}; accessed 22 January 2007</ref>
* [[Vivekanandar Illam]] was constructed in 1842 by the American "Ice King" [[Frederic Tudor]] to store and market ice year round. In 1897, [[Swami Vivekananda]]'s famous lectures were recorded here at Castle Kernan. The site is an exhibition devoted to Swami Vivekananda and his legacy.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

==== Marine archaeology ====
[[Maritime archaeology]] or marine archaeology is the study of how ancient peoples interacted with the sea and waterways. A specialized branch, [[archaeology of shipwrecks]], studies the salvaged artifacts of ancient ships. Stone anchors, amphorae shards, elephant tusks, hippopotamus teeth, ceramic pottery, a rare wood mast and lead ingots are examples which may survive submerged for centuries for archaeologists to discover, study, and place their salvaged findings into the timeline of history. Coral reefs, tsunamis, cyclones, mangrove swamps, battles, and a criss-cross of sea routes in a high trading area combined with piracy have all contributed to shipwrecks in the Bay of Bengal.<ref>[http://drs.nio.org/drs/bitstream/2264/30/3/Man_Environ_29_28.pdf Marine Archaeology in India] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130124065933/http://drs.nio.org/drs/bitstream/2264/30/3/Man_Environ_29_28.pdf |date=24 January 2013 }} URL accessed 22 January 2007</ref>

==== Shipwrecks and important shipping incidences ====
In chronological order:
* 1778 to 1783: The [[Naval operations in the American Revolutionary War]] or American War of Independence ranged as far as the Bay of Bengal.
* {{Circa|1816}}: ''Mornington'' ship burned in the Bay of Bengal.<ref>[http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/Wrecks/wrecks1816-1818.shtml Shipwrecks 1816–1818] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508104612/https://www.theshipslist.com/ships/Wrecks/wrecks1816-1818.shtml |date=8 May 2021 }} URL accessed 10 January 2015</ref>
* 1850: American clipper brig ''Eagle'' is supposed to have sunk in the Bay of Bengal.<ref>[http://www.maritimeheritage.org/ships/wrecks.html The Maritime Heritage Project: Gold Rush Ships, Passengers, Captains] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130827195721/http://maritimeheritage.org/ships/wrecks.html |date=27 August 2013 }} URL accessed 23 January 2007</ref>
* American Baptist missionary [[Adoniram Judson]] died 12 April 1850 and was buried at sea in the Bay of Bengal.
* 1855: The Bark "Incredible" struck on a sunken rock in the Bay of Bengal.<ref>[http://www.islandregister.com/shippingnotes.html Shipping Notes from the 1800s – P.E.I.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130830031404/http://www.islandregister.com/shippingnotes.html |date=30 August 2013 }} URL accessed 23 January 2007</ref>
* 1865: a gale dismasted the [[Star of India (ship)|''Euterpe'']] while traversing the Bay of Bengal typhoon.
* 1875: ''Veleda'' - 76&nbsp;m (250&nbsp;ft) long and 15&nbsp;m (50&nbsp;ft) wide. It is part of a current salvage operation.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060517192506/http://diving-industry.com/news/2006/05/06/sunken-ship-possibly-older-than-titanic-discovered/ Diving-News.com » Wrecks] URL accessed 23 January 2007</ref>
* 1914: September 10 - SS Indus: A [[steamship]] that was captured and scuttled by [[SMS Emden|SMS ''Emden'']].
* 1942: [[Japanese cruiser Yura|Japanese cruiser ''Yura'']] of the Second Expeditionary Fleet, Malay Force, attacked merchant ships in the Bay of Bengal.
** [[List of shipwrecks in the Indian Ocean#Bay of Bengal|April 7 - SS ''Selma City:'' Attacked by Japanese bombers in the Bay of Bengal, about 25 miles (40 km) offshore from Vizagapatam, India.]]
** [[List of shipwrecks in the Indian Ocean#Bay of Bengal|April 9 - HMS Hermes: The world's first purpose-built aircraft carrier, which sunk after receiving 40 direct hits from 70 Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter/bombers off the coast of Sri Lanka.]]
* 1971: December 3 – [[Pakistan Navy]] submarine [[PNS Ghazi|PNS ''Ghazi'']] sunk under mysterious circumstances, near [[Visakhapatnam]], in the Bay of Bengal.

== Significance ==
<!-- CAUTION: Phrase headings in a way that is both logical (first tectonic plates, then geology, geography, ecology, etc) and alphabetical. The choice of terminology is therefore important: pipe accordingly and mention alternative terms in the section lede. -->

=== Economic importance ===
{{See also | Countries of the Bay of Bengal }}
One of the first trading ventures along the Bay of Bengal was The Company of Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies, more commonly referred to as the [[British East India Company]]. [[Gopalpur-on-Sea]] was one of their main trading centers. Other trading companies along the Bay of Bengal shorelines were the [[English East India Company]] and the [[John Law's Company|French East India Company]].<ref>[http://nabataea.net/bengal.html Nabataea: Trade on the Bay of Bengal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822221651/http://nabataea.net/bengal.html |date=22 August 2013 }} URL accessed 21 January 2007</ref>

[[BIMSTEC]] (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) supports free trade internationally around the Bay of Bengal between [[Bangladesh]], [[Bhutan]], India, Myanmar, [[Nepal]], Sri Lanka, and [[Thailand]].

The [[Sethusamudram Shipping Canal Project]] is a new venture proposed which would create a channel for a shipping route to link the [[Gulf of Mannar]] with the Bay of Bengal. This would connect India from east to west without the necessity of going around Sri Lanka.

Thoni and catamaran fishing boats of fishing villages thrive along the Bay of Bengal shorelines. Fishermen can catch between 26 and 44 species of marine fish.<ref>{{cite web |url = http://dspace.jdvu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/20383/1/Acc.%20No.%20DC%20129.pdf |title = Environmental assessment of coastal water at Bakkhali |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226082556/http://dspace.jdvu.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/20383/1/Acc.%20No.%20DC%20129.pdf |archive-date=26 February 2015 }}</ref> In one year, the average catch is two million tons of fish from the Bay of Bengal alone.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://na.nefsc.noaa.gov/lme/text/lme34.htm |title=LME 34 Bay of Bengal |website=NOAA |access-date=21 January 2007 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20030418122740/http://na.nefsc.noaa.gov/lme/text/lme34.htm |archive-date=18 April 2003}}</ref> Approximately 31% of the world's coastal fishermen live and work on the bay.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=The Bay of Bengal: New bay dawning |url=https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21576721-harbours-eastern-lobe-indian-ocean-could-transform-economic-geography-asia-new |magazine=The Economist |date=27 April 2013 |access-date=24 August 2017 |archive-date=9 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109023046/https://www.economist.com/news/asia/21576721-harbours-eastern-lobe-indian-ocean-could-transform-economic-geography-asia-new |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Geostrategic importance ===
{{See also|Eastern South Asia}}
The Bay of Bengal is centrally located in South and Southeast Asia. It lies at the center of two huge economic blocks, the [[SAARC]] and [[ASEAN]]. It influences China's southern landlocked region in the north and major sea ports of Bangladesh and India. China, India, and Bangladesh have forged naval cooperation agreements with Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia to increase cooperation in checking terrorism in the high seas.<ref name="atimes.com">{{cite news |last=Berlin |first=Donald L. |date=25 January 2005 |title=The emerging Bay of Bengal |url=http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GA25Df05.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050129213059/http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/GA25Df05.html |url-status=unfit |archive-date=29 January 2005 |newspaper=[[Asia Times Online]]}}</ref> The Bay of Bengal's connection of South Asia to East Asia has aided in Bangladesh's efficiency of distributing natural gas to the Asia Pacific.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Positioning the Bay of Bengal in the Great Game of the Indo-Pacific Fulcrum |language=en-US |work=Air University (AU) |url=https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/2980896/positioning-the-bay-of-bengal-in-the-great-game-of-the-indo-pacific-fulcrum/ |access-date=2022-11-15 |archive-date=15 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221115050846/https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/JIPA/Display/Article/2980896/positioning-the-bay-of-bengal-in-the-great-game-of-the-indo-pacific-fulcrum/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Malabar 07-2 exercise.jpg|thumb|Image of United States ships participating in the [[Malabar 2007]] naval exercise. Aegis cruisers from the navies of Japan and Australia, and logistical support ships from Singapore and India in the Bay of Bengal took part.]]
Its outlying islands (the Andaman and Nicobar Islands) and, most importantly, major ports such as [[Chittagong Port|Chittagong]], [[Mongla Port|Mongla]], [[Port of Payra|Payra]], [[Paradip Port|Paradip]], [[Kolkata Port|Kolkata]], [[Chennai Port|Chennai]], [[Visakhapatnam Port|Visakhapatnam]], and [[Tuticorin Port|Tuticorin]], along its coast with the Bay of Bengal added to its importance.<ref>{{cite news |last=Arpi |first=Claude |date=26 December 2006 |title=1971 War: How the US tried to corner India |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/26claude.htm |work=Rediff.com |access-date=8 August 2008 |archive-date=28 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130828172624/http://www.rediff.com/news/2006/dec/26claude.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

China has recently made efforts to project influence into the region through tie-ups with Myanmar and Bangladesh.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Burma Project -Burma Debate |url=http://www.burmadebate.org/archives/spring01strategic.html |access-date=10 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090918024323/http://www.burmadebate.org/archives/spring01strategic.html |archive-date=18 September 2009 }}</ref> The United States has held major exercises with Bangladesh, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and recently India.<ref name="globalpolitician.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalpolitician.com/23382-india |title=India's Largest Naval War Game in Bay of Bengal |website=Global Politician |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015000845/http://www.globalpolitician.com/23382-india |archive-date=15 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Parameswaran |first=Prashanth |date=7 May 2015 |title=US Eyes Expanded Military Exercises with ASEAN Navies |url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/05/us-eyes-expanded-military-exercises-with-asean-navies/ |journal=The Diplomat |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=29 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929124644/https://thediplomat.com/2015/05/us-eyes-expanded-military-exercises-with-asean-navies/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Miglani |first=Sanjeev |date=22 July 2015 |title=India, Japan, U.S. plan naval exercises in tightening of ties in Indian Ocean |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-military-exercises-idUSKCN0PW1EB20150722 |work=Reuters |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=4 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204083652/http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/22/us-india-military-exercises-idUSKCN0PW1EB20150722 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Gady |first=Franz-Stefan |date=13 October 2015 |title=Confirmed: Japan Will Permanently Join US-India Naval Exercises |url=https://thediplomat.com/2015/10/confirmed-japan-will-permanently-join-us-india-naval-exercises/ |journal=The Diplomat |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=29 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929174140/https://thediplomat.com/2015/10/confirmed-japan-will-permanently-join-us-india-naval-exercises/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The largest ever [[Military exercise|wargame]] in Bay of Bengal, known as Malabar 2007, was held in 2007 and naval warships from the United States, India, Singapore, Japan and Australia took part.{{citation needed|reason=especially for claim of largest ever|date=January 2023}}

Large deposits of natural gas in the areas within Bangladesh's sea zone incited a serious urgency by India and Myanmar into a territorial dispute.<ref name="atimes.com" /> Disputes over rights of some oil and gas blocks have caused brief diplomatic spats between Myanmar and India with Bangladesh.

The disputed [[maritime boundary]] between Bangladesh and Myanmar resulted in military tensions in 2008 and 2009. The maritime dispute between Bangladesh and Myanmar settled in 2012 through the judgement of ITLOS.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://amti.csis.org/the-bangladeshmyanmar-maritime-dispute-lessons-for-peaceful-resolution/ |title=The Bangladesh/Myanmar Maritime Dispute: Lessons for Peaceful Resolution |website=Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative |date=19 October 2015 |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228054218/https://amti.csis.org/the-bangladeshmyanmar-maritime-dispute-lessons-for-peaceful-resolution/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2014, the dispute between India and Bangladesh was also settled in which the UN tribunal awarded Bangladesh 19,467&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> of the 25,602&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup> sea area of the Bay of Bengal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bangladesh-wins-maritime-dispute-with-india/article6191797.ece |title=Bangladesh wins maritime dispute with India |work=The Hindu |access-date=28 December 2022 |archive-date=28 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228054218/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/bangladesh-wins-maritime-dispute-with-india/article6191797.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Religious importance ===
The Bay of Bengal in the stretch of [[Pancha Tirtha, Puri|Swargadwar]], the gateway to heaven in [[Sanskrit]], in the Indian town of [[Puri]] is considered holy by [[Hindus]].{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}[[File:Samudra arati.jpg|thumb|Samudra arati or worship of the sea by disciples of the Govardhan Matha at Puri]]
The Samudra [[arati]] is a daily tradition started by the present [[Shankaracharya]] of Puri 9 years ago to honour the [[sacred sea]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Sahu |first=Monideepa |date=6 March 2016 |title=The great fire |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/532849/fire.html |newspaper=Deccan Herald |access-date=6 March 2016 |archive-date=6 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306214139/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/532849/fire.html |url-status=live}}</ref> The daily practise includes prayer and fire offering to the sea at Swargadwar in Puri by disciples of the [[Govardhana matha]] of the Shankaracharya. On Paush Purnima of every year the Shankaracharya himself comes out to offer prayers to the sea.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

== Key features ==
<!-- CAUTION: Phrase headings in a way that is both logical (first tectonic plates, then geology, geography, ecology, etc) and alphabetical. The choice of terminology is therefore important: pipe accordingly and mention alternative terms in the section lede. -->

=== Beaches ===
[[File:Sundarbans 09.jpg|thumb|The [[Sunderbans]] bordering the Bay of Bengal is the largest single block of tidal [[halophyte|halophytic]] [[mangrove]] forest in the world.<ref name="Bpedia">{{cite book |last=Siddiqui |first=Neaz Ahmad |year=2012 |chapter=Sundarbans, The |chapter-url=http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Sundarbans,_The |editor1-last=Islam |editor1-first=Sirajul |editor1-link=Sirajul Islam |editor2-last=Jamal |editor2-first=Ahmed A. |title=Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh |edition=Second |publisher=[[Asiatic Society of Bangladesh]] |access-date=11 November 2015 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304200506/http://en.banglapedia.org/index.php?title=Sundarbans,_The |url-status=live }}</ref>]]
[[File:Cox's Bazar boats.jpg|thumb|[[Cox's Bazar]], the longest stretch of beach in the world.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/the-worlds-longest-beach/2007/01/31/1169919381993.html | work=The Sydney Morning Herald | title=World's longest beach hidden in Bangladesh | date=31 January 2007 | access-date=8 August 2008 | archive-date=30 January 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170130234542/http://www.smh.com.au/news/travel/the-worlds-longest-beach/2007/01/31/1169919381993.html | url-status=live }}</ref>]]

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+
|-
!Sea Beach !! Location
|-
|[[Cox's Bazar]]|| {{BAN}}
|-
|[[Kuakata]]|| {{BAN}}
|-
|[[St. Martin's Island]]|| {{BAN}}
|-
|[[Sonadia]] || {{BAN}}
|-
|[[Nijhum Dwip]] || {{BAN}}
|-
|[[Inani Beach]] || {{BAN}}
|-
|[[Teknaf]]|| {{BAN}}
|-
|[[Patenga]]|| {{BAN}}
|-
|[[Bakkhali]] Beach, West Bengal|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Digha]] Beach, West Bengal|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Mandarmani|Mandarmoni Beach]], West Bengal|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Tajpur, West Bengal|Tajpur Beach]], West Bengal|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Shankarpur]] Beach, West Bengal|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Talasari Beach]], Odisha|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Chandipur, Odisha]]|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Gahirmatha Beach]], Odisha|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Astaranga]], Odisha|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Chandrabhaga Beach]], [[Konark]], Odisha|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Puri]], Odisha||{{IND}}
|-
|[[Gopalpur, Odisha]]||{{IND}}
|-
|[[Baruva Beach|Baruva]], Andhra Pradesh|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Bheemili Beach|Bheemili]], Andhra Pradesh|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[RK Beach]], [[Visakhapatnam]]|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Rushikonda Beach|Rushikonda]], [[Visakhapatnam]]|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Yarada Beach|Yarada]], [[Visakhapatnam]]|| {{IND}}
|-
|Perupalem Beach|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Manginapudi Beach]], [[Machilipatnam]], Andhra Pradesh|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Mypadu Beach]], [[Nellore]], Andhra Pradesh|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Marina Beach]], [[Chennai]], Tamil Nadu|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Edward Elliot's Beach]], [[Chennai]], Tamil Nadu|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Mamallapuram|Mahabalipuram]], Tamil Nadu|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Nagapattinam]], Tamil Nadu|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Silver Beach (India)|Silver Beach]], [[Cuddalore]], Tamil Nadu|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Thoothukudi|Tuticorin]] Beach, Tamil Nadu|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Rameswaram]] Beach, Tamil Nadu|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Velankanni]] Beach, Tamil Nadu|| {{IND}}
|-
|Serenity Beach, [[Puducherry (city)|Pondicherry]] || {{IND}}
|-
|[[Promenade Beach]], [[Puducherry (city)|Pondicherry]]|| {{IND}}
|-
|[[Havelock Island|Radhanagar Beach]], [[Andaman & Nicobar Islands]]|| {{IND}}
|-
|Ulee Lheue beach|| {{IDN}}
|-
|Alur Nunang Beach|| {{IDN}}
|-
|[[Ngapali]]||{{MYA}}
|-
|[[Ngwesaung]]||{{MYA}}
|-
|[[Chaungtha, Pathein]]||{{MYA}}
|-
|[[Sittwe]]|| {{MYA}}
|-
|[[Casuarina Beach]], [[Jaffna]]|| {{SRI}}
|-
|[[Trincomalee]] || {{SRI}}
|-
|Navaladi Beach, [[Batticaloa]] ||{{SRI}}
|}

=== Islands ===
[[File:Havelock Island, Ethereal mangrove tree, Andaman Islands.jpg|thumb|[[Havelock Island]], Andaman Islands]]
The islands in the bay are numerous, including the [[Andaman Islands]] and [[Nicobar Islands]] of India. The Cheduba group of islands, in the north-east, off the Burmese coast, are remarkable for a chain of mud volcanoes, which are occasionally active.<ref name=EB1911/>

[[Great Andaman]] is the main archipelago or island group of the Andaman Islands, whereas [[Ritchie's Archipelago]] consists of smaller islands. Only 37, or 6.5%, of the 572 islands and islets of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are inhabited.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930024520/http://www.and.nic.in/port-blair.htm The long stretch of sand glistening like silver dust] URL accessed 10 January 2015</ref>

=== Rivers ===
Many major rivers of [[List of major rivers of India|India]] and [[List of rivers of Bangladesh|Bangladesh]] flow west to east before draining into the Bay of Bengal. The [[Ganges|Ganga]] is the northernmost of these rivers. Its main channel enters and flows through Bangladesh, where it is known as the [[Padma River]], before joining the [[Meghna River]]. However, the [[Brahmaputra River]] flows from east to west in [[Assam]] before turning south and entering Bangladesh where it is called the [[Jamuna River]]. This joins the Padma where upon the Padma joins the [[Meghna River]] that finally drains into Bay of Bengal. The [[Sundarbans]] is a mangrove forest in the southern part of the [[Ganges Delta|Ganges-Brahmaputra Delta]] which lies in the Indian state of West Bengal and in Bangladesh. The Brahmaputra at {{convert|2948|km|mi|abbr=on}} is the 15th [[List of rivers by length|longest River]] in the world. It originates in [[Tibet]]. The [[Hooghly River]], another channel of the [[Ganga]] that flows through [[Kolkata]] drains into Bay of Bengal at [[Sagar Island|Sagar]] in West Bengal, India.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

The Ganga–Brahmaputra-Barak rivers deposit nearly 1000&nbsp;million tons of [[sediment]] every year. The sediment from these three rivers form the Bengal Delta and the [[submarine fan]], a vast structure that extends from [[Bengal]] to south of the Equator, is up to {{convert|16.5|km}} thick, and contains at least 1,130&nbsp;trillion tonnes of sediment, which has accumulated over the last 17&nbsp;million years at an average rate of 665&nbsp;million tons per annum.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/apr252003/1041.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040520081514/http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/apr252003/1041.pdf |archive-date=2004-05-20 |url-status=live |title=A sediment budget for the Padma-Meghna-Jamuna catchment |first=Robert |last=Wasson |year=2003 |journal=Current Science |volume=84 |issue=8 |pages=1041–1047}}</ref> The fan has buried organic carbon at a rate of nearly 1.1&nbsp;trillion mol/yr (13.2&nbsp;million t/yr) since the early [[Miocene]] period. The three rivers currently contribute nearly 8% of the [[total organic carbon]] (TOC) deposited in the world's oceans. Due to high TOC accumulation in the deep sea bed of the Bay of Bengal, the area is rich in oil and natural gas and [[gas hydrate]] reserves. Bangladesh can [[Land reclamation|reclaim land]] substantially and economically gain from the sea area by constructing sea [[Levee|dikes]], bunds, [[causeways]] and by trapping the sediment from its rivers.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

Further southwest of [[Bengal]], the [[Mahanadi River|Mahanadi]], [[Godavari River|Godavari]], [[Krishna River|Krishna]] and [[Kaveri River]]s also flow from west to east across [[Deccan Plateau]] in Peninsular India and drain into the Bay of Bengal forming [[River delta|delta]]s. Many small rivers also drain directly into the Bay of Bengal forming [[Estuary|estuaries]]; the shortest of them is the [[Cooum River]] at {{convert|64|km|mi|abbr=on}}.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

While Myanmar's [[Irrawaddy River]] flows into the [[Andaman Sea]], sediment from the river is found in the eastern Bay of Bengal.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Liu, J.P. |author2=Kuehl, S.A. |author3=Pierce, A.C. |author4=Williams, J. |author5=Blair, N.E. |author6=Harris, C. |author7=Aung, D.W. |author8=Aye, Y.Y. |year=2020|title=Fate of Ayeyarwady and Thanlwin Rivers Sediments in the Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.|journal=Marine Geology|doi=10.1016/j.margeo.2020.106137|doi-access=free|volume=423|page=106137 |bibcode=2020MGeol.42306137L }}</ref>

=== Seaports ===
[[File:VizagPort.jpg|thumb|The city of [[Visakhapatnam]] in India is a major port of the Bay of Bengal.]]
Indian ports on the bay include [[Paradip Port]], [[Port of Kolkata|Kolkata Port]], [[Haldia Port]], [[Chennai Port]], [[Visakhapatnam Port]], [[Kakinada Port]], [[Pondicherry Port]], [[Dhamra Port]], and [[Gopalpur-on-Sea]]. Bangladeshi ports on the Bay are [[Port of Chittagong|Chittagong]], [[Port of Mongla|Mongla]], [[Payra Port]]. Sri Lankan ports include [[Jaffna]], [[Kankesanthurai]], [[Batticaloa]], and [[Trincomalee]].{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} Myanmar's main sea port includes Akyab (Sittwe).<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Balakrishna |first=Suri |date=July 26, 1999 |title=Bay of Bengal |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Bay-of-Bengal |access-date=20 November 2022 |encyclopedia=Britannica |archive-date=30 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430100547/https://www.britannica.com/place/Bay-of-Bengal |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Oceanography ==
<!-- CAUTION: Phrase headings in a way that is both logical (first tectonic plates, then geology, geography, ecology, etc) and alphabetical. The choice of terminology is therefore important: pipe accordingly and mention alternative terms in the section lede. -->
''In alphabetical order''

=== Geology ===
<!-- CAUTION: Phrase headings in a way that is both logical (first tectonic plates, then geology, geography, ecology, etc) and alphabetical. The choice of terminology is therefore important: pipe accordingly and mention alternative terms in the section lede. -->

==== Lithosphere and plate tectonics ====
The [[lithosphere]] of the earth is broken up into what are called [[Plate tectonics|tectonic plates]]. Underneath the Bay of Bengal, which is part of the great [[Indo-Australian Plate]] and is slowly moving north east. This plate meets the [[Burma Plate|Burma Microplate]] at the [[Sunda Trench]]. The [[Nicobar Islands]] and the [[Andaman Islands]] are part of the Burma Microplate. The India Plate subducts beneath the Burma Plate at the Sunda Trench or Java Trench. Here, the pressure of the two plates on each other increase pressure and temperature resulting in the formation of volcanoes such as the [[List of volcanoes in Myanmar|volcanoes in Myanmar]], and a [[volcanic arc]] called the [[Sunda Arc]]. The [[2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami|Sumatra-Andaman earthquake and Asian tsunami]] was a result of the pressure at this zone causing a [[submarine earthquake]] which then resulted in a destructive tsunami.<ref>[http://www.idiom.com/~garcia/tsunami.html Tsunami] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927031947/http://www.idiom.com/~garcia/tsunami.html |date=27 September 2007 }} URL access 21 January 2007</ref>

==== Marine geology ====
<!-- CAUTION: Phrase headings in a way that is both logical (first tectonic plates, then geology, geography, ecology, etc) and alphabetical. The choice of terminology is therefore important: pipe accordingly and mention alternative terms in the section lede. -->
[[File:Bay of Bengal and Beach from Tenneti park.jpg|thumb|Bay of Bengal near [[Tenneti Park]], [[Visakhapatnam]].]]
A zone 50 m wide extending from the island of Sri Lanka and the Coromandel coast to the head of the bay, and thence southwards through a strip embracing the Andaman and Nicobar islands, is bounded by the 100 fathom line of sea bottom; some 50 m. beyond this lies the 500-fathom limit. Opposite the mouth of the Ganges, however, the intervals between these depths are very much extended by deltaic influence.<ref name=EB1911>{{EB1911|wstitle=Bengal, Bay of|inline=1}}</ref>

[[Swatch of No Ground]] is a 14&nbsp;km-wide deep sea canyon of the Bay of Bengal. The deepest recorded area of this valley is about 1340 m.<ref>[http://drs.nio.org/drs/bitstream/2264/449/1/J_Indian_Geophys_Union_4_185.pdf Morphological features in the Bay of Bengal] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070614214602/http://drs.nio.org/drs/bitstream/2264/449/1/J_Indian_Geophys_Union_4_185.pdf |date=14 June 2007 }} URL accessed 21 January 2007</ref> The submarine canyon is part of the [[Bengal Fan]], the largest submarine fan in the world.<ref name=mpgCurray>{{cite journal|last=Curray|first=Joseph R.|author2=Frans J. Emmel|author3=David G. Moore|title=The Bengal Fan: morphology, geometry, stratigraphy, history and processes|journal=[[Marine and Petroleum Geology]]|date=December 2002|volume=19|issue=10|pages=1191–1223|doi=10.1016/S0264-8172(03)00035-7|publisher=Elsevier Science Ltd|bibcode=2002MarPG..19.1191C }}</ref><ref name="whoi-bf-mar2000">{{cite web|last=France-Lanord|first=Christian|title=Summary on the Bengal Fan: An introduction to a drilling proposal|url=http://www.whoi.edu/pclift/BengalSummary.pdf|publisher=Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution|author2=Volkhard Spiess|author3=Peter Molnar|author4=Joseph R. Curray|date=March 2000|access-date=16 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111005095805/http://www.whoi.edu/pclift/BengalSummary.pdf|archive-date=5 October 2011}}</ref>

==== Submarine fans ====
Submarine fan is also known as [[abyssal fan]]. Bay of Bengal fan, known as '''Bengal Fan''', also known as the '''Ganges Fan''' is world's largest abyssal fan, also known as deep-sea fans, underwater deltas, and submarine fans. The fan is about {{convert|3000|km|mi|abbr=on}} long, {{convert|1430|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide with a maximum thickness of {{convert|16.5|km|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite journal | author=Shanmugam, G. | title=Submarine fans: A critical retrospective (1950–2015) | year=2016 | journal=Journal of Palaeogeography | volume=5 | issue=2 | pages=110–184 | doi=10.1016/j.jop.2015.08.011 | bibcode=2016JPalG...5..110S | doi-access=free }}</ref> The fan resulted from the uplift and erosion of the [[Himalayas]] and the [[Tibetan Plateau]] produced by the collision between the [[Indian Plate]] and the [[Eurasian Plate]]. Most of the sediment is supplied by the [[Ganges]] and [[Brahmaputra]] rivers which supply the Lower [[Meghna River|Meghna]] [[Ganges Delta|delta]] in Bangladesh and the [[Hooghly River|Hoogly]] delta in [[West Bengal]] (India). Several other large rivers in Bangladesh and India provide smaller contributions.<ref name=mpgCurray/> [[Turbidity current]]s have transported the sediment through a series of [[submarine canyons]], some of which are more than {{convert|2400|km}} in length, to be deposited in the Bay of Bengal up to 30 degrees [[latitude]] from where it began. To date, the oldest sediments recovered from the Bengal fan are from [[Early Miocene]] age.<ref name=mpgCochran>{{cite journal|last=Cochran|first=J.R.|author2=Stow, D.A.V.|editor2-first=D.A.V|editor2-last=Stow|editor1-first=J.R|editor1-last=Cochran|title=116 Initial Reports Table of Contents|journal=Proc. ODP, Init. Repts.|year=1989|volume=116|doi=10.2973/odp.proc.ir.116.1989|publisher=Ocean Drilling Program College Station, TX |display-authors=etal|series=Proceedings of the Ocean Drilling Program}}</ref> Their mineralogical and geochemical characteristics allow to identify their Himalayan origin and demonstrate that the [[Himalaya]] was already a major mountain range 20&nbsp;million years ago.<ref name=mpgFrance-Lanord>{{cite journal|last=France-Lanord|first=Christian|author2=Derry L.|author3=Michard A.|title=Evolution of the Himalaya since Miocene time: isotopic and sedimentological evidence from the Bengal Fan|journal=Geological Society Special Publication|year=1993|volume=74|issue=1|pages=603–621|doi=10.1144/GSL.SP.1993.074.01.40|bibcode=1993GSLSP..74..603F|s2cid=85506590|url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02153142/file/Oxford%202.0%20complete%20rev.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200312191351/https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02153142/file/Oxford%202.0%20complete%20rev.pdf |archive-date=2020-03-12 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The fan completely covers the floor of the Bay of Bengal.<ref name=sepm92/> It is bordered to the west by the continental slope of eastern India, to the north by the continental slope of Bangladesh and to east by the northern part of [[Sunda Trench]] off Myanmar and the [[Andaman Islands]], the [[accretionary wedge]] associated with [[subduction]] of the [[Indo-Australian Plate]] beneath the [[Sunda Plate]] and continues along the west side of the [[Ninety East Ridge]].<ref name=sepm92>{{cite book|title=SEPM Special Publication, No. 92. External Controls on Deep-Water Depositional Systems|year=2009|publisher=SEPM ([[Society for Sedimentary Geology]])|isbn=978-1-56576-136-0|pages=107–131|author=Tilmann Schwenk|author2=Volkhard Spiess|chapter=Architecture and Stratigraphy of the Bengal Fan as Response to Tectonic and Climate Revealed from High-Resolution Seismic Data}}</ref><ref name="whoi-bf-mar2000"/> The Nicobar Fan, another lobe of the fan, lies east of the Ninety East Ridge.<ref name="whoi-bf-mar2000"/>

The fan is now being explored as a possible source of [[fossil fuels]] for the surrounding [[developing nation]]s.

The fan was first identified by bathymetric survey in the sixties by Bruce C. Heezen and Marie Tharp which identified the abyssal cone and canyon structures. It was delineated and named by Joseph Curray and David Moore following a geological and geophysical survey in 1968.<ref name="whoi-bf-mar2000"/><ref name=curray1971>{{cite journal|last=Curray|first=Joseph R.|author2=David G. Moore|title=Growth of the Bengal Deep-Sea Fan and Denudation in the Himalayas|journal=Geological Society of America Bulletin|date=March 1971|volume=82|issue=3|pages=563–572|doi=10.1130/0016-7606(1971)82[563:GOTBDF]2.0.CO;2|bibcode=1971GSAB...82..563C}}</ref>

=== Oceanographic chemistry ===
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[[Coastal]] regions bordering the Bay of Bengal are rich in minerals. Sri Lanka, [[Sri Lanka|Serendib]], or ''Ratna&nbsp;– Dweepa'' which means Gem Island. [[Amethyst]], [[beryl]], [[ruby]], [[sapphire]], [[topaz]], and [[garnet]] are just some of the [[gems of Sri Lanka]]. Garnet and other precious gems are also found in abundance in the [[states of India|Indian states]] of [[Odisha]] and [[Andhra Pradesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aringthing.com/promise_rings.htm|title=Promise Rings in white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, unique rings. by A Ring Thing|access-date=8 August 2008|archive-date=11 August 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080811054214/http://aringthing.com/promise_rings.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A 2014 study found that as a result of ocean acidification, there was reduced shell thickness of marine animals and breaking strength compared to normal shells. The study also showed that the pH in Bay of Bengal fell to 7.75 compared in 1994 when it averaged 7.95.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Rashid |first1=Towhida |last2=Hoque |first2=Sirajul |last3=Akter |first3=Firoza |date=2 June 2013 |title=Ocean Acidification in the Bay of Bengal |url=https://www.academia.edu/11130762 |website=Academia |page=6 |access-date=6 December 2022 |archive-date=22 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230422115815/https://www.academia.edu/11130762 |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Oceanographic climate ===
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From January to October, the current is northward flowing, and the clockwise circulation pattern is called the "East Indian Current". The Bay of Bengal [[Climate of India|monsoon]] moves in a northwest direction striking the Nicobar Islands, and the Andaman Islands first end of May, then coast of [[Mainland India]] by end of June.

The remainder of the year, the counterclockwise current is southwestward flowing, and the circulation pattern is called the East Indian Winter Jet. September and December see very active weather, season varsha (or monsoon), in the Bay of Bengal producing severe cyclones which affect eastern India. Several efforts have been initiated to cope with [[storm surge]].<ref>[http://stommel.tamu.edu/~baum/paleo/ocean/node3.html Glossary of Physical Oceanography Ba-Bm] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071018134105/http://stommel.tamu.edu/~baum/paleo/ocean/node3.html |date=18 October 2007 }} URL accessed 21 January 2007</ref>

=== Marine biology, flora and fauna ===
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[[File:Spinnarc.JPG|thumb|A [[spinner dolphin]] in Bay of Bengal]]
[[File:Tachypleus gigas.JPG|thumb|[[Tachypleus gigas]] in [[Odisha]]]]
The Bay of Bengal is full of biological diversity, diverging amongst [[coral reefs]], [[estuaries]], fish spawning and nursery areas, and [[mangroves]]. The Bay of Bengal is one of the World's 64 [[Marine ecoregion|largest marine]] [[Marine ecosystem|ecosystems]].

''[[Kerilia jerdonii]]'' is a sea snake of the Bay of Bengal. Glory of Bengal cone (''[[Conus bengalensis]]'') is just one of the seashells which can be photographed along beaches of the Bay of Bengal.<ref>[http://www.oceanlight.com/lightbox.php?lr=Bay_of_Bengal Phillip Colla Natural History Photography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040902010121/http://www.oceanlight.com/lightbox.php?lr=Bay_of_Bengal |date=2 September 2004 }} URL accessed 21 January 2007</ref> An [[Endangered Species Act|endangered species]], the [[olive ridley sea turtle]] can survive because of the nesting grounds made available at the Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary, [[Gahirmatha Beach]], [[Odisha]], India. [[Marlin]], [[barracuda]], [[skipjack tuna|skipjack tuna, (''Katsuwonus pelamis'')]], [[yellowfin tuna]], [[Indo-Pacific hump-backed dolphin|Indo-Pacific humpbacked dolphin (''Sousa chinensis'')]], and [[Bryde's whale|Bryde's whale (''Balaenoptera edeni'')]] are a few of the marine animals. Bay of Bengal hogfish (''[[Bodianus neilli]]'') is a type of [[wrasse]] which live in turbid lagoon reefs or shallow coastal reefs. Schools of dolphins can be seen, whether they are the [[bottle nose dolphin|bottle nose dolphin (''Tursiops truncatus'')]], [[pantropical spotted dolphin|pantropical spotted dolphin (''Stenella attenuata'')]] or the [[spinner dolphin|spinner dolphin (''Stenella longirostris'')]]. [[Tuna]] and dolphins usually reside in the same waters. In shallower and warmer coastal waters the [[Irrawaddy dolphin|Irrawaddy dolphins (''Orcaella brevirostris'')]] can be found.<ref>{{cite news|last=Haider |first=Mashida R. |date=5 January 2005 |title=Naturalist |url=http://www.newagebd.com/2005/jan/05/nature.html |newspaper=New Age |location=Dhaka |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101130180306/http://www.newagebd.com/2005/jan/05/nature.html |archive-date=30 November 2010 }}</ref><ref>[http://www.cms.int/reports/small_cetaceans/data/S_attenuata/s_attenuata.htm CMS: Stenella attenuata, Pantropical spotted dolphin] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070203023201/http://www.cms.int/reports/small_cetaceans/data/S_attenuata/s_attenuata.htm |date=3 February 2007 }} URL accessed 21 January 2007</ref>

The [[Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve]] provides sanctuary to many animals some of which include the [[saltwater crocodile|saltwater crocodile (''Crocodylus porosus'')]], giant [[leatherback sea turtle|leatherback sea turtle (''Dermochelys coriacea'')]], and [[Cuora amboinensis|Malayan box turtle (''Cuora amboinensis kamaroma'')]] to name a few.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve |url=https://indianculture.gov.in/node/2540083 |website=India Culture |access-date=20 November 2022 |archive-date=6 December 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206130759/https://indianculture.gov.in/node/2540083 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Another endangered species [[Bengal tiger|royal Bengal tiger]] is supported by [[Sundarbans National Park|Sundarbans]] a large estuarine delta that holds a mangrove area in the [[Ganges Delta|Ganges River Delta]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20040830122811/http://www.emecs.or.jp/guidebook/eng/pdf/17bengal.pdf 17 Bay of Bengal] URL accessed 21 January 2007</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://zipcodezoo.com/Animals/B/Bodianus_neilli.asp |title=Bodianus neilli (Bay of Bengal Hogfish) |website=Zipcode Zoo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530132428/http://zipcodezoo.com/Animals/B/Bodianus_neilli.asp |archive-date=30 May 2008 |access-date=21 January 2007}}</ref>

== Transboundary issues ==
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{{more citations needed |date=July 2020}}
A transboundary issue is defined as an environmental problem in which either the cause of the problem and/or its impact is separated by a national boundary; or the problem contributes to a global environmental problem and finding regional solutions is considered to be a global environmental benefit. The eight Bay of Bengal countries have (2012) identified three major transboundary problems (or areas of concern) affecting the health of the Bay, that they can work on together. With the support of the Bay Of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project (BOBLME), the eight countries are now (2012) developing responses to these issues and their causes, for future implementation as the Strategic Action Programme.

=== Ecological degradation ===
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==== Fisheries overexploitation ====
[[File:Bay of Bengal 2.jpg|thumb|250px|Some small fishing boats are catching fish & sell them in local coastal markets.]]
[[Fisheries]] production in the Bay of Bengal is six million tonnes per year, more than seven percent of the world's catch. The major transboundary issues relating to shared fisheries are: a decline in the overall availability of fish resources; changes in species composition of catches; the high proportion of juvenile fish in the catch; and changes in [[marine biodiversity]], especially through loss of vulnerable and [[endangered species]]. The transboundary nature of these issues are: that many [[fish stocks]] are shared between BOBLME countries through the transboundary migration of fish, or [[Ichthyoplankton|larvae]]. Fishing overlaps national jurisdictions, both legally and illegally&nbsp;– overcapacity and [[overfishing]] in one location forces a migration of fishers and vessels to other locations. All countries (to a greater or lesser degree) are experiencing difficulties in implementing [[fisheries management]], especially the [[ecosystem approach to fisheries]]. Bay of Bengal countries contribute significantly to the global problem of loss of [[vulnerable species|vulnerable]] and endangered species.
The main causes of the issues are: open access to fishing grounds; government emphasis on increasing fish catches; inappropriate government subsidies provided to fishers; increasing fishing effort, especially from [[Fishing trawler|trawlers]] and [[purse seiners]]; high consumer demand for fish, including for seed and [[fishmeal]] for [[aquaculture]]; ineffective fisheries management; and illegal and destructive fishing.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

==== Marine habitats degradation ====
The Bay of Bengal is an area of high biodiversity, with many endangered and vulnerable species. The major transboundary issues relating to habitats are: the loss and degradation of [[mangrove]] habitats; [[Environmental issues with coral reefs|degradation of coral reefs]]; and the loss of, and damage to, [[seagrasses]]. The transboundary nature of these major issues are: that all three critical habitats occur in all BOBLME countries. [[Coastal development hazards|Coastal development]] for several varying uses of the land and sea are common in all BOBLME countries. Trade in products from all the habitats is transboundary in nature. [[Climate change]] impacts are shared by all BOBLME countries.
The main causes of the issues are: [[food security]] needs of the coastal poor; lack of [[Coastal management|coastal development plans]]; increasing trade in products from coastal habitats; coastal development and industrialization; ineffective [[marine protected area]]s and lack of enforcement; upstream development that affects water-flow; [[Nonpoint source pollution|intensive upstream agricultural practices]]; and increasing tourism.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

=== Environmental degradation ===
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==== Environmental hazards ====
The [[Asian brown cloud]], a layer of air pollution that covers much of South Asia and the Indian Ocean every year between January and March, and possibly also during earlier and later months, hangs over the Bay of Bengal. It is considered to be a combination of vehicle exhaust, smoke from
cooking fires, and industrial discharges.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/shownh.php3?img_id=13341 |title=EO Natural Hazards: Smog over the Bay of Bengal |website=NASA Earth Observatory |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026204458/http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/shownh.php3?img_id=13341 |archive-date=26 October 2007 |access-date=21 January 2007}}</ref> Because of this cloud, satellites attempting to track [[ocean acidification]] and other ocean health indicators in the Bay have difficulty obtaining accurate measurements.<ref>[https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/ocean-acidification-in-bay-of-bengal-is-now-being-monitored-by-global-satellite-network-7787131.html Ocean acidification in Bay of Bengal is now being monitored] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210929090907/https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/ocean-acidification-in-bay-of-bengal-is-now-being-monitored-by-global-satellite-network-7787131.html |date=29 September 2021 }}. ''[[Firstpost]]''. 16 December 2019.</ref>

==== Pollution and water quality ====
The major transboundary issues relating to [[marine pollution|pollution]] and [[water quality]] are: sewage-borne pathogens and organic load; solid waste/marine litter; increasing nutrient inputs; oil pollution; persistent organic pollutants ([[Persistent organic pollutant|POPs]]) and persistent toxic substances (PTSs); sedimentation; and heavy metals.
The transboundary nature of these issues are: discharge of untreated/partially treated [[sewage]] being a common problem. Sewage and organic discharges from the [[Ganges]]-[[Brahmaputra]]-[[Meghna]] River are likely to be transboundary. Plastics and derelict fishing gear can be transported long distances across national boundaries. Around 4 million tonnes of [[microplastics]] are estimated to come from India and Bangladesh travelling into Sundurban and subsequently the Bay of Bengal.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Kumar |first1=Rakesh |last2=Sinha |first2=Rama |last3=Refat |first3=Md |last4=Rakib |first4=Jahan |last5=Padha |first5=Shaveta |last6=Ivy |first6=Nishita |last7=Bhattacharya |first7=Sayan |last8=Dhar |first8=Anjali |last9=Sharma |first9=Prabhakar |title=Microplastics pollution load in Sundarban delta of Bay of Bengal |doi=10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100099 |journal=Journal of Hazardous Materials Advances |year=2022 |volume=7 |page=100099 |s2cid=249072350 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2022JHzMA...700099K }}</ref> High nutrient discharges from rivers could intensify largescale hypoxia. Atmospheric transport of nutrients is inherently transboundary. Differences between countries with regard to regulation and enforcement of shipping discharges may drive discharges across boundaries.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gupta |first1=R.Sen |last2=Kureishy |first2=Tariq W. |date=September 1981 |title=Present state of oil pollution in the northern Indian Ocean |doi=10.1016/0025-326X(81)90079-5 |journal=Marine Pollution Bulletin |volume=12 |issue=9 |pages=295–301 |bibcode=1981MarPB..12..295S}}</ref> [[Tarball (oil)|Tar balls]] are transported long distances. POPs/PTSs and [[Mercury (element)|mercury]], including organo-mercury, undergo long-range transport. [[Sedimentation]] and most heavy metal contamination tend to be localized and lack a strong transboundary dimension.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Gong |first1=Chenglin |last2=Wang |first2=Haiqiang |last3=Shao |first3=Dali |last4=Wang |first4=Hongping |last5=Qi |first5=Kun |last6=Xu |first6=Xiaoyong |date=1 July 2022 |title=How did the world's largest submarine fan in the Bay of Bengal grow and evolve at the subfan scale? |doi=10.1306/02072219107 |journal=AAPG Bulletin |volume=106 |issue=7 |pages=1431–1451 |bibcode=2022BAAPG.106.1431G |s2cid=250063994}}</ref> The main causes of the issues are: increasing coastal population density and urbanization; higher consumption, resulting in more waste generated per person; insufficient funds allocated to waste management; migration of industry into BOBLME countries; and proliferation of small industries.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}} A pertinent issue is the rapid growth of the shrimp culture industry which requires use of antibiotics and chemicals for export-quality food safety but pollutes the Bay of Bengal.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Rashid |first1=Towhida |last2=Hoque |first2=Sirajul |last3=Akter |first3=Sharmin |date=28 November 2014 |title=Pollution in the Bay of Bengal: Impact on Marine Ecosystem |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273346214 |journal=Journal of Marine Science |pages=55–63 |via=Scientific Research Publishing Inc.}}</ref>

=== Tropical storms and cyclones ===
{{main|Tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal}}
[[File:Sidr 2007-11-14 0445Z.jpg|thumb|right|[[Cyclone Sidr]] at its peak near Bangladesh]]
A tropical storm with rotating winds blowing at speeds of {{convert|119|km/h|mph|abbr=on}} is called a [[cyclone]] when they originate over the Bay of Bengal, and called a [[hurricane]] in the Atlantic.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/04/forcesofnature/resources/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090402110639/http://www.nationalgeographic.com/features/04/forcesofnature/resources/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 April 2009 |title=Forces of Nature—Natural Disaster Fast Facts |website=National Geographic |access-date=30 August 2016}}</ref> Between 100,000 and 500,000 residents of Bangladesh were killed because of the [[1970 Bhola cyclone]].
* 2023: [[Cyclone Mocha|Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Mocha]]
* 2021: [[Cyclone Yaas|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Yaas]]
* 2020: [[Cyclone Nivar|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nivar]]
* 2020: [[Cyclone Amphan|Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan]]
* 2019: [[Cyclone Bulbul|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Bulbul]]
* 2019: [[Cyclone Fani|Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm Fani]]
* 2018: [[Cyclone Gaja|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Gaja]]
* 2018: [[Cyclone Titli]]
* 2017: [[Cyclone Mora|Severe Cyclonic Storm Mora]]
* 2017: [[Cyclone Maarutha]]
* 2016: [[Cyclone Vardah|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Vardah]]
* 2016: [[2016 North Indian Ocean cyclone season#Cyclone Nada|Cyclone Nada]]
* 2016: [[2016 North Indian Ocean cyclone season#Cyclone Kyant|Cyclone Kyant]]
* 2016: [[Cyclone Roanu]]
* 2015: [[Cyclone Komen]]
* 2014: [[Cyclone Hudhud|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Hudhud]]
* 2013: [[Cyclone Phailin|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Phailin]]
* 2013: [[Cyclone Viyaru]]
* 2012: [[Cyclone Nilam]]
* 2011: [[Cyclone Thane|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Thane]]
* 2010: [[Cyclone Giri|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Giri]]
* 2009: [[Cyclone Aila|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Aila]]
* 2008: [[Cyclone Nargis|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Nargis]]
* 2007: [[Cyclone Sidr|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Sidr]]
* 2006: [[Cyclone Mala|Very Severe Cyclonic Storm Mala]]
* 1999: [[1999 Odisha cyclone|Odisha Super Cyclonic Storm 05B]]
* 1996: Konaseema Cyclone
* 1991: [[1991 Bangladesh cyclone|Super Cyclonic Storm 02B]]
* 1989: November [[Typhoon Gay (1989)|Typhoon Gay]]
* 1985: May Tropical Storm One (1B)
* 1982: April Cyclone One (1B)
* 1982: May Tropical Storm Two (2B)
* 1982: October Tropical Storm Three (3B)
* 1981: December Cyclone Three (3B)
* 1980: October Tropical Storm One (1B)
* 1980: December Unknown Storm Four (4B)
* 1980: December Tropical Storm Five (5B)
* 1977: [[1977 Andhra Pradesh cyclone|Andhra Pradesh Cyclone]] (6B)
* 1971: [[1971 Odisha cyclone|Odisha cyclone]]
* 1970: [[1970 Bhola cyclone|Bhola cyclone]]
* The [[1864 Calcutta Cyclone]]: caused a storm surge of 40 feet. Barometer 28.025 inches of mercury. 50,000 direct deaths and 30,000 from disease.<ref name="Tannehill">{{cite book |last=Tannehill |first=Ivan Ray |date=1969 |orig-date=First published 1945 |title=Hurricanes: Their Nature and History: Particularly Those of the West Indies and the Southern Coasts of the United States |edition=6th |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=schxAAAAMAAJ&q=bengal&pg=PA38 |publisher=Princeton University Press|pages=38–40|isbn=978-0-8371-2316-5 }}</ref>
* The [[Backergunge cyclone of 1876]]: 10 to 30 or 40 feet storm surge. 100,000 direct deaths and 100,000 indirect from disease.<ref name="Tannehill" />
* The [[Pre-1890 North Indian Ocean cyclone seasons|False Point cyclone of 1885]]: 22 feet of storm surge. Barometer 27.135 inches of mercury.<ref name="Tannehill" />

== See also ==
{{Portal|Oceans}}
* [[History of Indian influence on Southeast Asia]]
* [[Maritime Silk Road]]
* [[Arabian Sea]]
* [[Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific Strategy]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* [http://www.nbr.org/publications/element.aspx?id=449 The Maritime Boundary Dispute Between Bangladesh and Myanmar: Motivations, Potential Solutions, and Implications] by Jared Bissinger (''Asia Policy'', July 2010) published by [[National Bureau of Asian Research]]

== External links ==
* {{wiktionary-inline|Bay of Bengal}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Bay of Bengal}}
* [http://www.india-seminar.com/2000/487/487%20suryanarayan.htm 487 V. Suryanarayan, Prospects for a Bay of Bengal Community]
* [https://www.britannica.com/place/Arabian-Sea Arabian Sea: depth contours and undersea features – Map/Still – Britannica Concise]
* [http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Bengal-B.html Bay of Bengal in Encyclopedia]
* [http://www.boblme.org/ Bay of Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project]

{{List of seas}}
{{Waters of South Asia}}
{{Geography of Sri Lanka}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bay of Bengal}}
[[Category:Bay of Bengal| ]]
[[Category:Marginal seas of the Indian Ocean]]
[[Category:Bays of Asia]]
[[Category:Maritime archaeology]]
[[Category:Bangladesh–India border]]
[[Category:Bangladesh–Myanmar border]]
[[Category:Bays of India]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Bays of Indonesia]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Myanmar]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Sri Lanka]]