CARPENTARIA, GULF OF


Meaning of CARPENTARIA, GULF OF in English

Gulf, northeastern Australia.

An inlet of the Arafura Sea, it is bordered by the Northern Territory and by Cape York Peninsula and extends north-south about 480 mi (770 km) and east-west 400 mi (645 km). It was explored by the Dutch 1605–28; its western coasts were discovered by Abel Janszoon Tasman in 1644. Neglected for centuries, it became economically significant in the late 20th century for its bauxite and manganese deposits and for its prawn-rich waters.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.