Strait of Gibraltar

geography · ocean · Europe and Africa

Two oceans meet. The Strait of Gibraltar is where the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea connect. This narrow passage is one of the most important waterways in the world because ships traveling between them must pass through here.

Europe and Africa split. The strait separates two entire continents, with Spain and Gibraltar on the European side and Morocco on the African side. At its narrowest point, the two continents are only 7.7 nautical miles apart, which is about as far as a quick car ride.

Quick ferry crossing. Ferries travel back and forth between Europe and Africa every single day, making the journey in as little as 35 minutes. Thousands of people use these ferries to travel between the two continents.

Deep and dramatic. The strait is surprisingly deep, ranging from 300 to 900 metres below the surface. This depth makes it suitable for large ships to pass through safely.