The Strait of Gibraltar



Europe and Africa are only separated by 14.3 km (8.9 mi) of an ocean (Gibraltar), and there are talks of constructing a bridge between the two continents.

The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Gibraltar and Peninsular Spain in Europe from Morocco in Africa.

The two continents are separated by 14.3 kilometers (8.9 miles; 7.7 nautical miles) of the ocean at the Strait's narrowest point. The Strait's depth ranges between 300 and 900 meters (980 and 2,950 feet; 160 and 490 fathoms) which possibly interacted with the lower mean sea level of the last major glaciation 20,000 years ago, when the level of the sea is believed to have been lower by 110–120 m (360–390 ft; 60–66 fathoms).

Ferries cross between the two continents every day in as little as 35 minutes. The Spanish side of the Strait is protected under El Estrecho Natural Park.

Strait of Gibraltar

Coordinator 

35°58′N 5°29′W / 35.967°N 5.483°W

Location 

Atlantic Ocean – Mediterranean Sea

The Strait of Gibraltar