Which gulf on Libya's Mediterranean coast is also called the Great Sirte?

The Gulf of Sidra, also called the Great Sirte, curves along Libya's Mediterranean coast.

The gulf is also known as the Gulf of Sirte, while the name Great Sirte comes from the ancient Greek and Roman term Syrtis Major. Ancient writers described the Syrtes as hazardous waters because of their shallow sandbanks, strong tidal movements and shifting currents. The smaller Syrtis, or Syrtis Minor, referred to the Gulf of Gabès off Tunisia.

The modern Gulf of Sidra stretches roughly 439 kilometres between its eastern and western headlands and extends about 177 kilometres inland. It occupies approximately 57,000 square kilometres and has long supported tuna fishing. The town and oil port of Sidra gave the modern gulf its most common English name.

The gulf also became strategically important in the 20th century. It was the site of two major naval battles during World War II and later several confrontations between Libya and the United States over Libya's claimed maritime boundary, including the so-called Line of Death.