Strait of Gibraltar: Gateway Between Atlantic & Mediterranean

Strait of Gibraltar: Vital Choke Point

The Strait of Gibraltar connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

Geography

• Location: Between southern Spain (Europe) and northern Morocco (Africa).
• Width: 14.3 km (8.9 mi) at narrowest (Point Marroquí – Point Cires).
• Depth: 300–900 m (deepest ~900 m).
• Length: ~60 km.

Oceanography

• Surface current: Atlantic → Mediterranean (less saline, cooler).
• Deep current: Mediterranean → Atlantic (denser, saltier).
• Exchange drives Mediterranean salinity & circulation.

Strategic Importance

• Only natural Atlantic-Mediterranean passage.
• ~100,000 ships/year transit.
• UK (Gibraltar), Spain (Ceuta), Morocco claim waters.
• Pillar of Hercules (mythology).