Strait of Gibraltar

Strait of Gibraltar

Context: In Moroccan waters in the Strait of Gibraltar, a sailing yacht was sunk by an unknown number of orcas after being rammed.

About Strait of Gibraltar:

• Location:
o The Strait of Gibraltar is a narrow waterway separating Europe from Africa, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
• Geographical Features:
o The narrowest point of the strait is between Morocco’s Point Cires and Spain’s Point Marroquí.
o It has a depth ranging from 300 to 900 meters.
o The strait forms a significant gap between the high plateau of Spain and the Atlas Mountains of NorthernAfrica.

• Formation:
o Geological studies indicate that the Strait of Gibraltar was formed due to the northward movement of the African Plate towards the European Plate.

• Water Flow:
o The Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea have differing salinity levels.
o Highly saline waters from the Mediterranean Sea flow outward and underneath the less saline currents from the Atlantic Ocean.
o Less saline Atlantic waters flow inward and on top of the Mediterranean Sea current.

• Importance as a Shipping Route:
o The strait acts as a crucial chokepoint for ships entering or exiting the Mediterranean Sea.
o It serves as a vital shipping route for countries in northern Africa, southern Europe, and western Asia.

• Key Port:
o An important port situated on the Strait of Gibraltar is Tanger-Med, located near Tangier, Morocco.