A European Informational Website
learn more
The Strait of Gibraltar (Arabic: مضيق جبل طارق, Spanish: Estrecho de Gibraltar) is the strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates Spain from Morocco. The name comes from Gibraltar, which in turn originates from the Arabic Jebel Tariq (جبل طارق) meaning mountain of Tariq. It refers to the Ummayad Berber general Tariq ibn-Ziyad who led the Islamic conquest of Hispania in 711. It is also known as the Straits of Gibraltar or Strog (Strait Of Gibraltar), the latter being in naval use. There are 8 miles (13 km) of ocean separating Europe from Africa at the strait's narrowest point. The strait depth ranges between 300 and 900 meters.