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November 3rd, 2026
Daily puzzle · Hard · Satellite map
Theme: Cities That Grew Around a Natural Deepwater Harbor
Each of these cities owes its shape and success to a deep, sheltered natural harbor that let ships anchor close to shore without major dredging. Halifax's harbor is one of the largest natural harbors on Earth, a strategic naval asset for centuries. Trincomalee's bay was prized by colonial fleets as one of the finest anchorages in the Indian Ocean. Rio de Janeiro's Guanabara Bay and Wellington's harbor similarly gave their cities a protected deepwater heart around which everything else grew.
1
Rio de Janeiro, BrazilRio sits around Guanabara Bay, a vast natural harbor flanked by granite peaks.
2
Halifax, CanadaHalifax Harbour is among the largest natural harbors in the world.
3
Wellington, New ZealandWellington grew around a deep harbor formed by a drowned volcanic caldera.
4
Trincomalee, Sri LankaTrincomalee's harbor has long been regarded as one of the finest natural anchorages in Asia.
5
Split, CroatiaSplit developed around a sheltered Adriatic harbor beside Diocletian's palace.