What is the name of the strait separating Europe from Africa at Spain’s southern tip?

The Strait of Gibraltar separates Europe from Africa at Spain’s southern tip.

The strait connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea. Spain lies to its north, Morocco lies to its south, and the British overseas territory of Gibraltar occupies part of its northern entrance. At its narrowest point, the strait is about 14 kilometers wide.

Its position has made it a major geographic and strategic gateway for thousands of years. Ancient Greeks and Romans associated the surrounding headlands with the Pillars of Hercules, traditionally identified with the Rock of Gibraltar and Jebel Musa in North Africa.

The strait also has an unusual water exchange: relatively salty Mediterranean water flows westward near the surface, while denser Atlantic water moves eastward at depth. The name Gibraltar derives from the Arabic Jabal Tariq, meaning “Mountain of Tariq,” referring to the commander Tariq ibn Ziyad.