Antsiranana Bay (original) (raw)

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Natural bay along the northeast coast of Madagascar

Bay of Diego Suarez
Bay of Diego Suarez is located in MadagascarBay of Diego SuarezBay of Diego SuarezLocation in Madagascar
Location Diana, Madagascar
Coordinates 12°13′50″S 49°17′34″E / 12.23056°S 49.29278°E / -12.23056; 49.29278
Ocean/sea sources Indian Ocean
Basin countries Madagascar
Settlements Antsiranana

Antsiranana Bay (also known as Diego-Suarez Bay) is a natural bay that stretches close to 20 kilometres (12 mi) north to south along the northeast coast of Madagascar.[1] The waters average a depth of more than 20 metres (66 ft), and the main channel can be as deep as 50 metres (160 ft).[1] The bay, protected by a narrow inlet that provides shelter from strong Indian Ocean winds, is believed to be the result of a submerging coastline or a drowned river valley that formed many peninsulas around the bay.[1]

The bay's principal city, Antsiranana, is located on a headland.

The bay was first recorded by European explorers in 1500; sailors in the service of Portugal named the bay for the leader of their expedition, Diogo Soares.[1] The bay was later used for shelter by a number of pirates and privateers during the Golden Age of Piracy, and it has been speculated as a possible location of the legendary pirate colony Libertalia.[1]

  1. ^ a b c d e Scheffel, Richard L.; Wernet, Susan J., eds. (1980). Natural Wonders of the World. United States of America: Reader's Digest Association, Inc. p. 124. ISBN 0-89577-087-3.