bahía

Bahía is the Spanish term for a bay, a coastal feature defined as a broad indentation of the coastline that opens to a sea or ocean. A bahía typically consists of an open mouth connected to the open sea and a protected interior, where the water is sheltered from direct wave action. Bays form through a combination of coastal erosion, sediment deposition from rivers, tectonic processes, and sea-level changes, and their size, shape, and depth vary widely. The inner basin may receive freshwater or brackish inputs from rivers, influencing circulation and ecosystems; salinity gradients commonly support diverse habitats such as estuaries, wetlands, and shellfish beds.

In geography, the term bahía is often contrasted with ensenada (a smaller inlet), ria (a drowned river valley), and golfo (a gulf), with bays generally smaller and more enclosed than gulfs. The boundaries between these terms can be fluid, and local usage varies by region and language.

Bays have long been important for human activity: they provide natural harbors, shelter for ships, and access to fisheries and coastal resources. They are also environmentally sensitive zones, influenced by tides, sedimentation, pollution, and sea-level rise. Protection and sustainable management of bahías are common concerns for coastal communities and policymakers.

Etymology: bahía comes from the French baie, through Spanish usage, and is cognate with the English bay. Notable examples include the Bay of Biscay, San Francisco Bay, and Bahía de Campeche.