Harbour
Topic: International Trade: Patterns, Ports and the WTO · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 8 "International Trade"; Class 12, Ch 8 "International Trade"
Meaning
A harbour is a sheltered stretch of water where ships can anchor safely, protected from waves and storms. It may be natural, formed by the shape of the coast, or artificial, built with breakwaters (walls in the sea that block waves). Harbours matter because ships need calm water before they can load or unload at a port.
Example
Mumbai, Mormugao (Goa) and Kochi (Kerala) on India's west coast have natural harbours. Chennai on the east coast has an artificial harbour. Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh has a land-locked harbour, almost enclosed by land.
Don't confuse with
- Port: the commercial place where ships load and unload cargo, with docks, warehouses and road and rail links. The harbour is the sheltered water and the port is the trading facility.