Hudson bay - part of the Arctic Ocean, also adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. Its structure is an inland sea surrounded by Canadian territory.
The bay is connected to the Labrador Sea by the Hudson Strait, while the Arctic Ocean by the waters of Fox Bay. It owes its name to the English navigator Henry Hudson, who was its discoverer.
Navigation in the Hudson Bay and mining in the region are underdeveloped. This is due to the harsh living conditions, as a result of which the extraction of minerals is economically ineffective.
General information
- The area of Hudson Bay reaches 1,230,000 km².
- The average depth of the reservoir is about 100 m, while the deepest point is 258 m.
- The coast of the bay is located within the permafrost.
- Trees such as willow, aspen and birch grow close to the coast. In addition, you can see many shrubs, lichens and mosses here.
- Hudson Bay is filled with many peripheral rivers, along with currents from the Fox Basin in the north.
- The average temperature in winter ranges from -29 ⁰С, and in summer it often rises to +8 ⁰С. An interesting fact is that even in August the water temperature can reach –2 ⁰С.
Biological characteristics
The waters of Hudson Bay are home to many living things. Small crustaceans, molluscs, sea urchins and starfish can be found here. In addition to different types of fish, seals, walruses and polar bears live here, which are known to be able to withstand low temperatures.
Despite the harsh climate, up to 200 species of birds can be seen in the Hudson Bay region. Among the large mammals that inhabit this area, it is worth highlighting the musk ox and caribou reindeer.
History
Archaeological finds indicate that the first settlements in the Hudson Bay area appeared over 1000 years ago. In 1610 Henry Hudson became the first European to venture into the bay. Together with other comrades, he tried to find a way to the East.
Such travels were extremely dangerous, as a result of which they often led to the death of many sailors. It is curious that the first bathymetric calculations of the area of Hudson Bay were carried out by Canadian scientists only in the early 30s of the last century.
Interesting facts about Hudson Bay
- Hudson Bay is the second largest in the world after Bengal Bay.
- In summer, up to 50,000 belugas live in the waters of the bay.
- A number of researchers suggest that the shape of Hudson's Bay acquired such outlines due to the fall of a meteorite.
- As early as the 17th century, the trade in beaver skins was widespread here. Later this led to the formation of the company "Hudson's Bay", which is successfully operating today.
