Ships from which of the following countries have to cross the Strait of Hormuz to reach out to the Indian Ocean?

1. Bahrain
2. Syria
3. Qatar
4. Egypt

Select the answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2
2. 1 and 3
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 and 4

Explanation

Option (b) is correct

• The Strait of Hormuz is the only sea passage connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea, which form part of the wider Indian Ocean maritime route. The Persian Gulf is a shallow marginal sea in the Indian Ocean, sandwiched between the Arabian Peninsula and southwestern Iran. Iran, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia border it. It connects to the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Hormuz. Syria lies on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea, not inside the Persian Gulf. Egypt borders both the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. From the Red Sea side, ships can reach the Indian Ocean through the Bab-el-Mandeb–Gulf of Aden route, not through Hormuz.

Answer: (b) 1 and 3; Difficulty Level: Easy