Spain is the European country separated from Africa by the Strait of Gibraltar. The strait lies between southern Spain and northern Morocco, while the British territory of Gibraltar occupies part of its northern shore.
It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Mediterranean Sea and narrows to roughly 14.2 kilometres between Europe and Africa. Its position has made it one of the world’s most important maritime gateways. Ships moving between the Atlantic and Mediterranean—and onward toward the Suez Canal and Indian Ocean—pass through it.
The name comes from Gibraltar, derived from the Arabic Jabal Tariq, meaning “Mountain of Tariq,” referring to the eighth-century Muslim commander Tariq ibn Ziyad. In classical antiquity, the surrounding headlands were known as the Pillars of Hercules.
The question can cause a geographical mix-up because Gibraltar is British, and Spain also administers Ceuta on Africa’s northern coast. Nevertheless, when the European mainland country opposite Morocco is asked for, Spain is the canonical answer. Portugal, France and Italy do not border this strait.