Strait of Gibraltar
Narrow strait linking Atlantic and Mediterranean, separating Europe and Africa.
The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow strait connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, separating Europe from Africa. It lies in the territorial waters of Morocco, Spain, and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar, and is a critical maritime chokepoint for global shipping and migration.
- Minimum width
- 7.7 nautical miles (14.2 km, 8.9 statute miles)
- Depth range
- 300 to 900 metres (980 to 2,950 feet; 160 to 490 fathoms)
- Crossing time by ferry
- As little as 35 minutes
- Countries bordering
- Morocco, Spain, Gibraltar (UK overseas territory)
- Known for
- Connecting Atlantic Ocean to Mediterranean Sea; separating Europe and Africa
Lore & Background
The name derives from the Rock of Gibraltar, from Arabic Jabal Ṭāriq ('Tariq's Mount'), named after Tariq ibn Ziyad. Historically, it was called Fretum Herculeum (Strait of Hercules) and the Pillars of Hercules in antiquity. The strait has been a crossing point for Carthaginians, Romans, Vandals, Moors, Berbers, and Spanish and Portuguese forces. In 1492, the last Muslim government north of the strait was overthrown, leading to divergent cultures: Christian-European on the north and Muslim-Arabic on the south. The British enclave of Gibraltar was ceded to Britain in the Peace of Utrecht and used to control sea lanes. During the Spanish Civil War, the Spanish Republican Navy attempted to blockade the strait, but the Convoy de la Victoria broke the blockade in August 1936.
Reader's Guide
The Strait of Gibraltar is of immense strategic and ecological significance. It is the only natural connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, making it a vital shipping route. Its narrow width—only 7.7 nautical miles at the narrowest point—allows ferries to cross in as little as 35 minutes, but also makes it a common route for illegal immigration from Africa to Europe. Geologically, the strait was formed after the Zanclean flood around 5.33 million years ago, which reestablished the Atlantic-Mediterranean connection after the Messinian salinity crisis. The strait is expected to close again as the African Plate moves northward, but on geological timescales. It is an Important Bird Area for migrating seabirds and hosts a resident orca pod of about 36 individuals, threatened by PCB pollution. Proposals for a tunnel under the strait have been discussed since the 1980s, with occasional meetings between Spanish and Moroccan officials, but no construction has occurred.
Did You Know?
- The strait's narrowest point is 7.7 nautical miles (14.2 km) wide.
- Ferries cross between Europe and Africa in as little as 35 minutes.
- The strait is named after Tariq ibn Ziyad, from Arabic Jabal Ṭāriq ('Tariq's Mount').
- Around 5.33 million years ago, the Zanclean flood reestablished the connection through the strait.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Strait of Gibraltar?
The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow waterway that links the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea while drawing the continental boundary between Europe and Africa. It sits within the territorial waters of Morocco, Spain, and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar.
What are Strait of Gibraltar's powers/role?
It acts as a critical maritime chokepoint through which enormous volumes of global shipping and migration traffic must funnel. Its minimum width is just 7.7 nautical miles and its depth ranges from 300 to 900 metres, making it one of the most strategically vital passages on Earth.
How does Strait of Gibraltar's story end?
As a geological feature the strait has no true ending; it has persisted for millions of years and still drives ocean-current and climate patterns today. Its ongoing role as the sole natural gateway between two major seas guarantees its relevance will last as long as maritime trade does.
Why is Strait of Gibraltar important?
It is the only natural connection between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, so virtually all naval and commercial traffic between those two bodies of water must squeeze through its roughly 14-kilometre-wide gap. A ferry can cross in as little as 35 minutes, underscoring just how narrow this global bottleneck really is.
Who are Strait of Gibraltar's neighbors?
Three political entities border the strait: Morocco on the African shore, Spain on the European shore, and the small British overseas territory of Gibraltar perched at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. Together they share jurisdiction over the waterway's surrounding territorial waters.
More in Straits, Channels, And Seas 1-24
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