Watching the sun set on the coast is a highly appreciated spectacle.
Coast is a concept that has different uses and can even come from different etymological sources. Its most common meaning derives from the Catalan or Galician coast , in turn coming from a Latin word that can be translated "rib" , "side" or "side" .
In that case, the shore of a body of water and the land located nearby is called coast. It is, therefore, the area that borders a lake , a lagoon , a river or a sea.
Coast concept
It can be said that the coast is the sector where the lands that are under water meet the emerged lands . This can occur on a continent or in island territories (such as an island or islet ).
The coast, therefore, is an edge or a margin : on one side is the surface and on the other, the water. There are several related terms, such as beach , riverside , shore or coastline .
The beach is characterized by being a flat surface and generally covered with sand . The shore , meanwhile, is the land that is close to the aquatic body. Similar is the notion of shore , which refers to the limit between land and water. Coastline , finally, refers to everything linked to the shore.
Many people dream of spending a few days on the coast resting in a beach cabin.
Geographical features
The coast can take various shapes associated with different geographical features. On a cliff , for example, the coast is presented with a vertical cut.
If the land is surrounded by water and only a narrow part is connected to other larger lands, it is called a peninsula . The land that penetrates the sea, meanwhile, generates a cape .
When a large sector of the sea enters the land between two capes , the geographical feature is called a gulf . If the area of the sea is not so large, it is called a bay . Focusing on the rivers, the land that develops in the mouth area, between its arms, is known as a delta .
In each case, the coast shows different characteristics. In addition to the natural properties, we must consider that many times humans influence coastal qualities through their intervention.
Using sunscreen is essential to take care of your health when enjoying vacations on the coast.
Infrastructure on the coast
Coasts have great importance in human life. Beyond their undeniable ecological relevance, they are used economically in multiple ways and also facilitate the transportation of people and goods.
A port , in this framework, allows vessels to be protected and carry out unloading and loading actions. Typically, they are built in places that favor these operations. Thus, a ship that is in port is sheltered from the waves and can carry out different operations.
A dock , on the other hand, is a wooden, metal, or stone structure that functions as a jetty and landing stage. Ports usually have several docks.
Lighthouses are also installed in many coastal areas. These towers emit light signals towards the ocean so that navigators have references. Although satellite navigation systems have lost their preponderance, lighthouses are still very useful.
tourism
Coastal tourism moves millions of dollars a year. A large number of travelers choose to spend their holidays on the beach, where there is usually a wide range of services available to tourists.
On the beach itself, small restaurants and bars (known as beach bars in some regions) are often set up, often specializing in seafood. They usually have outdoor tables with umbrellas so that diners can enjoy the landscape.
Tourist activity promotes coastal development in general. In fact, an urbanization can be born or expanded to meet the needs of those who travel to the coast to spend their vacations. On a boardwalk or promenade , therefore, shops are usually set up that aim to captivate tourists .
Coastal tourism is also supported by water sports , which it in turn promotes. Surfing , kitesurfing, diving and snorkeling are among the most popular disciplines.
Fishing on the coast
Fishing is another of the economic activities that serve as a means of life for coastal people. Near a sea or a river, a fisherman can stand on the shore and - with skill and some luck - obtain food with his rod.
Of course, fishing is not only artisanal or for family consumption. There is a large fishing industry, with huge boats that drag nets and use other devices to catch tons of fish and shellfish.
These specimens can be subjected to conservation techniques, processing, etc. In this way, they give rise to other related activities that transcend fishing itself.
It should be noted that, when developed on a large scale, fishing can threaten marine conservation and cause coastal pollution .