Strait of Gibraltar: Why No Bridge Connects Spain and Morocco

The Strait of Gibraltar is the natural border between Spain and Morocco, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and between Europe and Africa. But why has no bridge been built in this area? Distance would be one of the reasons, reports Huffpost, noting that only 14 kilometers separate the two shores, an insignificant distance compared to the 164 kilometers of the world’s longest bridge, the Danyang-Kunshan Grand Bridge in China.

However, the problem lies in height. A bridge over the Strait of Gibraltar should have a height of 900 meters, compared to only 100 meters for the Asian bridge. Climate is the other problem blocking the construction of a bridge between Spain and Morocco, the same source informs, specifying that the region of the Strait of Gibraltar experiences an unstable climate, with strong winds and sea currents that could affect the stability of the bridge and lead to exorbitant maintenance costs.

Another difficulty, and not the least, is geopolitics. Relations between Spain and Morocco have evolved in a jagged manner, with crises and periods of calm, which would not have allowed the two countries to reflect on such a project and to agree on the terms of its financing. In addition, significant amounts would have to be allocated to strengthen controls on this bridge in order to prevent an increase in illegal immigration and crime.