Why There Is No Bridge Between Europe and Africa, Despite Being Only 17 Miles Apart

The idea of linking Europe and Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar has been discussed for decades. The Strait, a narrow waterway that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea, separates Spain from Morocco by just 17 miles at its narrowest point.

Though a bridge or tunnel could enhance trade, tourism, and ease of travel between the two continents, several significant challenges make such a project nearly impossible.

A primary obstacle is the Strait’s immense depth and powerful currents, which would require unprecedented engineering solutions. Building any structure over such turbulent waters would be both extremely complex and costly.

Adding to the difficulty, the area is known for frequent seismic activity, which poses a considerable risk to any large infrastructure built there.

In addition to the challenges posed by the deep waters and strong currents, the climate itself presents complications.

High winds and harsh weather conditions are common, making both the construction and maintenance of a long-span bridge very challenging.

Similar projects around the world have shown that such weather can make operations expensive and delay timelines significantly.

Currently, a Spanish government agency, SECEGESA, is examining the feasibility of an underwater tunnel. This option might offer a safer alternative to a bridge, though it too faces the challenges of seismic activity and high costs.

Building a bridge could also have significant social and political implications. The Strait of Gibraltar is a key route for migration from Africa to Europe, and a bridge could potentially increase the movement of people, which some European governments might view with caution.

Also, such a project could raise questions about sovereignty and control over the route, potentially sparking diplomatic tensions between Spain and Morocco.

Though ambitious, any proposal to bridge the gap between Europe and Africa remains unlikely in the face of these logistical, environmental, and political challenges.