Straits of Gibraltar and northern Africa
The Straits of Gibraltar are a narrow strait that connect the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separate Gibraltar and Spain in Europe from Morocco in Africa.
The name comes from the Rock of Gibraltar, which in turn originates from the Arabic Jebel Tariq (meaning "Tariq's mountain") named after Tariq ibn Ziyad. It is
Europe and Africa are separated by 8.9 miles of sea at the Straits’ narrowest point and the Straits’ depth ranges from 980 and 3,000 feet.
On the northern side of the Straits are Spain and Gibraltar (a British overseas territory in the Iberian peninsula) while on the southern side are Morocco and Ceuta (a Spanish exclave in north Africa). Its boundaries were known in antiquity as the Pillars of Hercules. There are several islets, such as the disputed Isla Perejil, that are claimed by both Morocco and Spain.
The Straits are an important shipping route from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. There are also ferries that operate between Spain and Morocco across the Straits as well as between Spain and Ceuta and between Gibraltar and Tangier.
Due to its location, the Straits are commonly used for illegal immigration from Africa to Europe.
Date: 9th September 2013
Location: view from El Mirador del Estrecho, Andalucia, Spain
The name comes from the Rock of Gibraltar, which in turn originates from the Arabic Jebel Tariq (meaning "Tariq's mountain") named after Tariq ibn Ziyad. It is
Europe and Africa are separated by 8.9 miles of sea at the Straits’ narrowest point and the Straits’ depth ranges from 980 and 3,000 feet.
On the northern side of the Straits are Spain and Gibraltar (a British overseas territory in the Iberian peninsula) while on the southern side are Morocco and Ceuta (a Spanish exclave in north Africa). Its boundaries were known in antiquity as the Pillars of Hercules. There are several islets, such as the disputed Isla Perejil, that are claimed by both Morocco and Spain.
The Straits are an important shipping route from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean. There are also ferries that operate between Spain and Morocco across the Straits as well as between Spain and Ceuta and between Gibraltar and Tangier.
Due to its location, the Straits are commonly used for illegal immigration from Africa to Europe.
Date: 9th September 2013
Location: view from El Mirador del Estrecho, Andalucia, Spain
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Also in: South Spain - September 2013
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