Strait of Gibraltar

Strait of Gibraltar: Sayoni Das, a Bengal swimmer, recently became the first Asian woman to successfully cross the Strait of Gibraltar.

• About Strait of Gibraltar: Separates Europe and Africa, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Bordering countries: Spain and British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar (north); Morocco and Spanish enclave Ceuta (south).
• Pillars: Rock of Gibraltar and Mount Hacho/Jebel Moussa mark the strait’s eastern end.
• Depth: Ranges from 300 to 900 meters; lies between Spain’s high plateau and Atlas Mountains of North Africa.
• Formation: Resulted from the northward movement of the African Plate towards the European Plate.
• Water flow: Atlantic Ocean (less saline) flows inward and above. Mediterranean Sea (highly saline) flows outward and beneath.
• Significance: Only natural link between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. One of the busiest waterways in the world.
• Important port: Moroccan port of Tanger-Med, near Tangier.