The Strait Is Only 33 Kilometers Wide at Its Narrowest Point

Despite controlling a fifth of the world's oil supply, the Strait of Hormuz narrows to just 33 kilometers (21 miles) at its tightest point. The actual navigable shipping lanes are even narrower — two corridors of just 3.2 km each, separated by a 3.2 km buffer zone, carrying traffic in opposite directions simultaneously.

Source

https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=56420

Details

Published: April 8, 2026
views: 13

Hormuz Geography & Nature Trade & Commerce

Related Facts

Israel17 views

Israel Is the Only Country in the World to Have Net Tree Gain Over the Last Century

While deforestation has reduced forest cover in most countries over the past 100 years, Israel stands out as the only nation to have more trees at the end of the 20th century than at the beginning. Through massive afforestation programs planting over 240 million trees, Israel transformed vast areas of desert and degraded land into forest.

Israel16 views

The Dead Sea Is Earth's Lowest Point and Is Rapidly Disappearing

The Dead Sea surface sits about 430 meters below sea level — the lowest point on Earth's land surface. With no outlet, the water is nearly ten times saltier than ocean water, making it impossible for most life to survive. Alarmingly, the sea is shrinking by about one meter per year due to water diversion from the Jordan River.

Hormuz20 views

The Ancient City of Hormuz Was Once One of the Wealthiest Trading Cities in the World

Before the Portuguese conquest, the city of Hormuz on the island was one of the most prosperous trading hubs in the medieval world, described by Marco Polo as 'a great and noble city' in the 13th century. Merchants from Arabia, India, China, and East Africa converged there to trade spices, silk, pearls, and horses.

Hormuz20 views

Oman Controls the Southern Shore — Two Countries Share the Strait

While Iran dominates the headlines, the Strait of Hormuz is jointly shared between Iran and Oman. Oman controls the Musandam Peninsula — a non-contiguous exclave separated from mainland Oman by the UAE — which forms the strait's southern shore. Any ship using the international shipping lanes technically passes through Omani territorial waters.