Depth and the minimum width of the Strait of Gibraltar

Strait of Gibraltar - a small, but extremely important for the global navigation. He has always been and remains an important strategic target. The minimum width of the Strait of Gibraltar is only 14 kilometres. However, it is quite profound that only contributes to navigation.

In this article we will focus on the Strait, its history, and the Islands situated in it.

Strait of Gibraltar: a General overview

Any Strait, as you know, that kind of relationship, sharing at the same time. The value of Gibraltar is very difficult to overestimate, as it separates the two parts of the world: Africa and Europe. The border countries in this case are Spain and Morocco.

What connects the Strait of Gibraltar? It connects two important water body: Atlantic ocean and Mediterranean sea.

And what are its basic parameters? Length of the Strait is 65 km. Despite the small dimensions, the indicators of the depth of Gibraltar is quite high. Thus, the average depth of the Strait is about 340 meters, while the largest of more than a kilometer (1180 meters, to be exact).

The strategic importance of the Strait is confirmed by the fact that on its shores there are from four ports: three of them Spanish and one Moroccan. In addition, there is an important naval base of Gibraltar is a possession of great Britain.

In the Strait, scientists have recorded an interesting feature. The fact that the current in it is directed in opposite directions: surface - from the ocean to the Mediterranean sea, and deep from the sea to the Atlantic.

Recommended

Cross-domed Church. Features of origin

In this article we'll talk about where has its roots the Orthodox architecture of churches, what it stands for and on what principles, and also about how different types of temples is given.it is no secret that Christianity in Russia - not the native...

Baths of Cherepovets: a review

From year to year a visit to the baths and saunas has become increasingly popular as ideas for fun and useful pastime on the weekends. This is not surprising because in Russia a couple walked not only noblemen, but also the common people. Today the a...

The Moscow planetarium on Barrikadnaya

The Planetarium at Barrikadnaya in Moscow is one of the world's largest and oldest in Russia. This structure is included in the list of attractions of the capital. It should be said that to visit the planetarium on Barrikadnaya interesting not only f...

How did it arise?

Regarding the origin of the Strait of Gibraltar there are two versions. The first (more scientific) insists that the Mediterranean sea is nothing like the remains of an ancient, unified and vast Tethys ocean, which was gradually decreased under the action of plate tectonics. Thus formed and Gibraltar, which left a small link to the remnants of the Tethys with the Atlantic.

There is another (more "simple" and less likely) hypothesis that explains the occurrence of Gibraltar that the Atlantic ocean just "rammed" the Strait itself and thus formed the Mediterranean sea (flooded it). It happened, according to some scholars, about five million years ago.

The Minimum width of the Strait of Gibraltar

Despite the fact that the Strait is not very wide, and through him daily is a huge number of ships. What is the minimum width of the Strait of Gibraltar? The answer to this question has some problems. The fact that some sources (mostly old) indicate a figure of 12 kilometers, and others (most of them) - 14 kilometers. So, perhaps, is to assume that the minimum width of the Strait, though, is 14 km away.

As greatest breadth, here, almost all sources agree on the value of 44 kilometers.

Strait of Gibraltar in culture, literature and film

In ancient times Gibraltar was shrouded in many myths and legends. So, in particular, the first navigators were convinced that the Strait is not that other, as the gateway between the two worlds: the village people (ecumene) and of the unknown, full of secrets and mysteries.

In those days, by the way, Strait wore exotic name "Pillars of Hercules". What was the reason for the name? The fact that the Strait on both sides surrounded by high steep cliffs. So the first people and gave him such an interesting name. The word Gibraltar comes from the Arabic "Jebel Tariq". The Strait was named after Tariq Ibn Ziyad, the Arab conqueror, seized at the time of the Pyrenees.

Gibraltar is often referred to in modern culture. So, it's been written about fiction Paul Anderson in 1975 (the book is called "Gibraltar Falls"). Strait is the center of attention in the film-the Thriller "Das Boot" in 1981. The plot of the film, the crew of a German submarine must overcome the Strait of Gibraltar, which is heavily guarded by the British.

The Island of Perejil

In the Strait are two small Islands, which are just not to mention is Perejil and Rate.

Perejil ("parsley" in Spanish) is a tiny island in the Strait of Gibraltar, the area of which is only 150 square meters. However, this small piece of land has a very turbulent history. Who not only claimed to possession of them in the entire history of the island: Spain, Britain, France, Morocco, and USA. The status of the island, by the way, is not clear until now: today it is a disputed territory between the two countries: Morocco and Spain.

At the moment on the island of Perejil no permanent population. However, all concerned that it can be used for illegal activities. In particular, there are fears that the island is a transit point for illegal migrants and smuggling. And those involved in the alleged Moroccan mafia.

Island Fare

Another interesting island is in the Strait of Gibraltar. First of all it is interesting as its name.

The Rate is a small rocky island, whichlocated opposite the Spanish town in Andalusia. The island has no permanent population, and its total area is 300 square meters.

As the story goes, before all the ships passing through the Strait of Gibraltar, passed this rocky island. And resourceful Arabs, who owned it, charged with all vehicles a certain fee. And its size depended on the volume and quality of cargo. Here and there was all familiar to the word "tariff". Few people today know that this term is derived from the name of the Islands in the Strait of Gibraltar, which "hosted" the enterprising Arabs.

Conclusion

Gibraltar is a vital Strait not only for the European region but for the whole world. As it provides the Maritime connection of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. This Strait due to a lot of different legends. Because in ancient times it was regarded as a kind of line beyond which begins a new and unknown world - strange, but so tempting!