What is the difference between a gulf and a bay?

gerry01

The best definition of difference between the two is, a gulf is, a large area of a sea or ocean partially enclosed by land, especially a long landlocked portion of sea opening through a strait. While a bay is, a body of water partially enclosed by land but with a wide mouth, affording access to the sea: so it looks like a gulf is larger than a bay. Gerry Nov 25 04, 6:22 PM

gmackematix

So how many gulfs are larger than the Bay of Bengal? [Nov 25 04 7:26 PM] gmackematix writes: I think the term gulf implies that the water is deep or eroding deep into the surrounding land and a bay suggests an expanse of water with an inward curve of the land. However, there have historically been no hard and fast rules for naming such geographical features and it can depend as much on who names it and when, for example, the Bay of Biscay is the Gulf of Gasconny to the French. Nov 25 04, 7:18 PM