Which strait connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea?

The Strait of Otranto connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea. It lies between Italy’s southeastern coast and Albania, with the Italian town of Otranto giving the passage its name.

The strait is about 72 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. Its position at the entrance to the Adriatic has made it important for maritime traffic and naval strategy since classical antiquity. The channel also forms a geographic boundary between the Adriatic basin and the broader Mediterranean waters to the south.

The Strait of Otranto should not be confused with the Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily from mainland Italy. Otranto is farther east, between the heel of Italy and the western Balkans. The Albanian Riviera and the Italian region of Apulia face each other across its waters.