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Qiongzhou Strait

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

The Qiongzhou Strait is a strip of water in China. It sits between two places. It separates the Leizhou Peninsula in Guangdong from Hainan island. This water connects two larger bodies of water. To the west, it meets the Gulf of Tonkin. To the east, it opens into the South China Sea. This strait is a very important path for the ocean.

This body of water has a steady width. The water can be quite deep in some spots. The maximum depth reaches about 30 meters. Large animals used to live in these waters. Whales were once very common here. Dugongs also lived in the strait in the past. Now, the water is a key part of the sea.

History has happened in these waters. In the spring of 1950, a group called the People's Liberation Army crossed it. This was a major event for the region. People have always wanted to move between the land and the island. The strait is a link between mainland China and Hainan. It has been a path for many years.

Moving across the water is a big job. The Guangdong–Hainan Ferry helps people travel. This ferry is part of the Guangdong–Hainan railway. It carries cars and automotive vehicles. It also carries rail cars across the sea. This way of travel is very useful for everyone.

Sometimes, travel becomes very difficult. Strong typhoons can move through the area. These big storms can cause the strait to close. This can leave people and visitors feeling isolated. People have talked about building a bridge or a tunnel. A bridge was planned in the early 2000s. That bridge was never built. As of 2018, people still discuss new ways to cross.

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