Strait of Gibraltar: The 8 km Gap Between Africa and Spain
The Strait of Gibraltar: Europe-Africa Gateway
The body of water separating Africa from Spain (and Gibraltar) at its narrowest point of ~13 km (8 miles) — not 8 km — is the Strait of Gibraltar.
Key Facts
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|
| Minimum Width | 13 km (8.1 mi) / 7 nautical miles — Point Marroquí (Spain) to Point Cires (Morocco) |
| Length | 58 km (36 mi) — from Cape Trafalgar to Cape Spartel |
| Depth | 300-900 m (average); 1,000+ m in central channel |
| Connects | Atlantic Ocean ↔ Mediterranean Sea |
| Separates | Europe (Spain/Gibraltar) ↔ Africa (Morocco/Ceuta) |
| Current | Surface: Atlantic → Med (inflow); Deep: Med → Atlantic (outflow, saltier) |
Political Geography
- North Shore: Spain (Cádiz province: Tarifa, Algeciras); Gibraltar (UK Overseas Territory, 6.8 km²)
- South Shore: Morocco (Tangier-Tetouan); Ceuta (Spanish autonomous city on African soil)
Strategic Significance
- Global Shipping: ~100,000 vessels/year; only Mediterranean-Atlantic passage
- Military: Historic fortress chain; NATO/UK presence at Gibraltar
- Migration: Major crossing point for irregular migration to Europe
- Energy: Proposed Africa-Europe tunnel/bridge; gas pipeline routes
Name Origin
Jabal Ṭāriq (جبل طارق) — "Mountain of Tariq," named for Tariq ibn Ziyad, Umayyad commander who crossed in 711 CE initiating Islamic conquest of Iberia. "Gibraltar" is the Spanish corruption.
Clarification on "8 km"
The 8 km figure likely confuses kilometers with miles (8 miles ≈ 13 km) or references a different measurement (e.g., Gibraltar peninsula width, or distance from Gibraltar to Morocco at a specific point). The absolute minimum Spain-Morocco distance is ~13 km.
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