The Strait of Gibraltar, or simply Gibraltar, is the strait separating Europe, or rather, the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula, from the African coast.
Where is the Strait of Gibraltar on the map? Its exact coordinates, parameters and other information about this geographical object will be presented in the article. Data will be provided on what is the minimum width of the Strait of Gibraltar and the maximum, depth, etc.
Name history
Cape Gibraltar (and subsequently the Strait of Gibraltar) got its name from the spanish Arabic name "Mount Tariq" (Jabal al-Tariq). It was on the cape, later named after him, that the Arab commander Tarik ibn-Ziyad landed with his troops, and from there the power of Muslims spread to the Iberian Peninsula.
Education
Mount Jebel Musa, whose height is 851 meters, as well as the Gibraltar rock located on the territory of the Pyrenees, 426 meters high, are steep massifs. In ancient times they were called the pillars of Hercules. According to ancient myths, it was Hercules (Hercules) who pierced the Strait of Gibraltar, paving his way through the Atlas mountains, which were named after him on the shores, which prevented him. According to Plato, the mysterious Atlantis was located precisely behind the pillars of Hercules.
Scientists have several hypotheses for the formation of the Strait of Gibraltar. According to the most common, it, together with the Mediterranean Sea, is nothing but the remains of the ancient Tethys Ocean, the gradual decrease and disappearance of which was caused by the movement of lithospheric plates to the north. According to the second version, the waters of the Atlantic Ocean made their way to the once isolated Mediterranean Sea.
Scientists also believe that over millions of years the strait appeared and disappeared. This will be discussed in more detail below.
Description, parameters
The geographic coordinates of the strait are 35 ° 58′18 ″ s. w. 5 ° 29′09 ″ s e. Its extreme points: from the African continent - the city of Jebel Musa and Cape Spartel, from Europe - Cape Carnero and Cape Trafalgar.
What is the minimum width of the Strait of Gibraltar? It is 14 kilometers away. Its maximum width is 44, and its length is 65 kilometers.
What is the minimum width of the Strait of Gibraltar, we found out, and the minimum depth? The smallest is 53 meters and the largest is 1184 meters.
The currents in the strait at different depths are directed in opposite directions. From the Atlantic to the Mediterranean Sea, the water carries a surface current, in the opposite direction - deep. The waters are characterized by salinity and temperature. The parameters of Atlantic waters are as follows: salinity - more than 36%, average temperature - 17 degrees above zero. Mediterranean - 38% and 13.5 degrees, respectively.
The Strait of Gibraltar is navigable and has international status, that is, transit vessels must pass through it freely, without restrictions and on equal terms. And the states bordering it should not impede this process. The strategic importance of the strait is great, the ports of Tangier (Morocco), Al Hesiras, La Linea, Ceuta (Spain) are located here.
Ferries run through the strait (several routes).
Countries, Population
In the north, on the Iberian Peninsula, is Spain. It is separated by the Strait of Gibraltar from African Morocco. In addition, at Cape Gibraltar (the rock and the isthmus that connects it with the peninsula) today is the overseas territory of Great Britain, whose area is 6.5 km 2 . This affiliation is disputed by Spain, but so far without success.
Gibraltar citizens are both EU and UK citizens. The territory is represented in the EU through UK membership, and its citizens can participate in elections to the European Parliament.
Here is the naval base of NATO.
Interesting Facts
- Throughout its history, the strait was closed and opened at least eleven times due to tectonic shifts, which could not but lead to tangible changes in the objects associated with it. So, according to scientists, six million years ago as a result of its next closure, the level of salinity of the Mediterranean Sea increased significantly. As a result, a layer of so-called constipation was formed - deposits arising from the evaporation of water. Their thickness was about two kilometers. After approximately 5.3 million years, the strait reopened. Scientists predict its next closure as a result of the movement of lithospheric plates after several million years.
- The British have an interesting sign: their dominion on the cape will not end until monkeys of the rare breed of magoth live on the rock of Gibraltar. These are the only wild primates in Europe. Their population is monitored by a special officer whose job title sounds like “monkey officer.” It was established at the beginning of the twentieth century.
Finally
The Strait of Gibraltar was briefly described in the article - its parameters, location, features. What is the minimum width of the Strait of Gibraltar, the maximum width and depth, is now known.