What is characterized as a sheltered area of land found between two headlands?

The term that describes a sheltered area of land located between two headlands is a bay. A bay forms where the coastline is indented, providing a natural harbor or a calm area of water. This feature is typically sheltered from strong winds and waves, making it a safe area for boats and marine activities.

Headlands are protrusions of land that jut out into the sea, and they create a protective barrier that helps to calm the waters in the adjacent bay. As waves approach the coast, they are refracted around these headlands, which can reduce wave energy and create a more tranquil environment in the bay.

In contrast, a wave cut platform refers to a flat, often rocky area formed at the foot of a cliff due to erosion. A stump is a remnant of an eroded headland, and a coastal arch forms when sea erosion creates a hole through a headland. These features do not describe the sheltered nature of bays between headlands, highlighting why bay is the correct choice.