Bahía vs. golfo
The Spanish words 'bahía' and 'golfo' both refer to large bodies of water, but they have distinct meanings and uses.
Bahía
A 'bahía' is a body of water that is partially enclosed by land but has a wide mouth, allowing access to the sea. It is generally smaller and less enclosed than a gulf.
La bahía de San Francisco es una de las más conocidas en Estados Unidos.
(San Francisco Bay is one of the most well-known bays in the United States.)
La bahía de Sidney ofrece vistas impresionantes.
(Sydney Harbour offers stunning views.)
Muchas ciudades importantes están situadas en bahías debido a sus condiciones favorables para el comercio.
(Many major cities are located on bays due to their favorable conditions for trade.)
Golfo
A 'golfo' is a large body of water that penetrates into the land and is considerably larger than a bay. Gulfs are typically surrounded by land on three sides and have a narrower entrance compared to their size.
El Golfo de México es famoso por sus recursos petroleros.
(The Gulf of Mexico is famous for its oil resources.)
El Golfo Pérsico es una región clave para el transporte marítimo.
(The Persian Gulf is a key region for maritime transport.)
El Golfo de Alaska se encuentra en el norte del Océano Pacífico.
(The Gulf of Alaska is located in the northern Pacific Ocean.)
Summary
In summary, while both 'bahía' and 'golfo' refer to large bodies of water connected to the sea, a 'bahía' is smaller and more open compared to a 'golfo', which is larger and more enclosed.