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The '''Strait of Gibraltar''' is the stretch of water that separates [[Europe]] from [[Africa]] and joins the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. It has been strategically and economically important since vessels began venturing into the Atlantic towards the end of the second millennium B.C. The Romans called it the “Pillars of Hercules,” (in Latin, ''Fretum Herculeum'' or ''Fretum Gaditanum''.) It traditionally marked the western boundary of the ancient [[Greece|Greek]] and [[Roman]] worlds - although [[Cadiz]] (''“Gades”'') on the Atlantic coast of Spain was founded by the [[Phoenicia]]ns in about 1100 BC.   

The '''Strait of Gibraltar''' is the stretch of water that separates [[Europe]] from [[Africa]] and joins the [[Mediterranean Sea]] to the [[Atlantic Ocean]]. It has been strategically and economically important since vessels began venturing into the Atlantic towards the end of the second millennium B.C. The Romans called it the “Pillars of Hercules,” (in Latin, ''Fretum Herculeum'' or ''Fretum Gaditanum''.) It was traditionally thought of as the western boundary of the ancient [[Greece|Greek]] and [[Roman]] worlds. Strictly speaking, [[Cadiz]] (''Gades'') on Spain's Atlantic coast is further west. Cadiz was founded by the [[Phoenicia]]ns about 1100 BC.   

It is approximately 58 km. (36 miles) long. Its northern (European ) coast stretches from Spanish Cape Trafalgar in the west to Europa Point at the eastern side of the Bay of Trafalgar in the east. Its southern coastline stretches from Cape Spartel in [[Morocco]] in the west to Punta Almina  in the Spanish African enclave of Ceuta in the east. Between Capes Trafalgar and Spartel it is 43km. (27 miles) wide – at the “Pillars of Hercules” (Rock of Gibraltar) and Mount Hacho in Ceuta) it is 23 km. (14 miles) wide. It is 13 km (7.75 miles) wide at its narrowest point.

It is approximately 58 km. (36 miles) long. Its northern (European ) coast stretches from Spanish Cape Trafalgar in the west to Europa Point at the eastern side of the Bay of Trafalgar in the east. Its southern coastline stretches from Cape Spartel in [[Morocco]] in the west to Punta Almina  in the Spanish African enclave of Ceuta in the east. Between Capes Trafalgar and Spartel it is 43 km (27 miles) wide – at the Rock of Gibraltar and Mount Hacho in Ceuta) it is 23 km (14 miles) wide. It is 13 km (7.75 miles) wide at its narrowest point.

The Strait has an average depth of 365 metres (1200 ft) with its shallowest point being 50 metres (164 ft.) There is a general flow of water from west to east because the Mediterranean loses more water from evaporation than its rivers can replace and needs replenishment from the Atlantic. (An interesting fact when one considers that mighty rivers like the Nile, the Danube, the Don, the Volga and others all add to it.) The surface current runs from over two knots to as much as six knots and this was a problem during the days of sail and oared propulsion. Well below the surface there is an opposite current, colder and quite saline, running into the Atlantic.

The Strait has an average depth of 365 metres (1200 ft) with its shallowest point being 50 metres (164 ft.) There is a general flow of water from west to east because the Mediterranean loses more water from evaporation than its rivers can replace and needs replenishment from the Atlantic. (An interesting fact when one considers that mighty rivers like the Nile, the Danube, the Don, the Volga and others all add to it.) The surface current runs from over two knots to as much as six knots and this was a problem during the days of sail and oared propulsion. Well below the surface there is an opposite current, colder and quite saline, running into the Atlantic.