Which Arctic strait separates Ellesmere Island from Greenland?

Nares Strait separates Canada's Ellesmere Island from Greenland. This Arctic waterway connects northern Baffin Bay with the Lincoln Sea, forming a long maritime passage between North America and Greenland.

The strait is about 530 kilometres long and includes several named sections: Smith Sound, Kane Basin, Kennedy Channel, Hall Basin, and Robeson Channel. Its minimum width is roughly 35 kilometres, although individual sections vary considerably.

Nares Strait is difficult to navigate because sea ice can persist for much of the year. A generally northward current, associated with the Beaufort Gyre, also makes travel from the south more challenging. The passage is named for British naval officer George Nares.

It is often confused with Davis Strait, which lies much farther south between Greenland and Baffin Island. Lancaster Sound is west of Baffin Bay, while Hudson Strait is farther south between Baffin Island and Quebec.