Strait of Gibraltar

Gibraltar, Strait of, narrow body of water between Spain and North Africa, connecting the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean. It is the only natural waterway between the Mediterranean and any ocean. Through this narrow strait (only about 8.5 mi/13.7 km wide) a strong current flows into the Atlantic. The strait gives access from Northern Europe and North America not only to the Mediterranean basin, but also to the Black Sea and, via the Suez Canal, to East Africa, the Persian Gulf, and south Asia.