Correct Option
The correct option is Both 1 and 2
Explanation
The Red Sea is an elongated basin situated in an arid and semi-arid region characterized by high evaporation rates and extremely low annual precipitation. It is one of the saltiest bodies of water in the world due to the lack of significant freshwater inflow and its restricted connection to the open ocean.
- Statement 1 is Correct: The Red Sea is located between the desert regions of North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The average annual rainfall over the Red Sea and its coasts is extremely low, typically less than 100 mm per year. Precipitation occurs mostly in the form of short-lived convective showers, which are insufficient to offset the high evaporation losses.
- Statement 2 is Correct: There are no permanent rivers or perennial streams that flow into the Red Sea. While seasonal flash floods may occasionally carry water through dry riverbeds known as wadis during rare rain events, no major river system discharges into the basin. The water balance of the Red Sea is maintained primarily through water exchange with the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Bab-el-Mandeb and, to a lesser extent, the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal.
Key Takeaway:
The Red Sea's high salinity and hydrological balance are defined by its location in an arid zone with negligible precipitation and the total absence of perennial river inflows.