"Bart Senior" .@. wrote
What are the Pillars of Hercules?

The two promontories at the eastern end of the Strait of
Gibraltar (The Gut) are the Pillars of Hercules. Specifically
they are the Rock of Gibraltar to the north and about nine
miles to the south on the Barbary Coast of Africa, the peak
Jebel Musa at Ceuta.

The Strait of Gibraltar or "The Gut" is the passage be between
Spain and Africa that connects the Mediterranean Sea to the
Atlantic Ocean. At the western end of the thirty-six mile strait
is Cape Trafalgar to the north and Spartel to the south. The strait
is about eight miles wide at its narrowest point and twenty-three
miles wide at it's widest.

Panoramic view of the Bay of Gibraltar
http://www.panoramas.dk/fullscreen/fullscreen37.html
http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/exp...UF225%3A6%2F17

The Rock is connected to Spain by a low narrow isthmus.
During the Napoleonic Wars, Gibraltar was key to control
of the Mediterranean commerce. It was nearly impregnable
man and nature could make it. A post where the British could
issue forth to assail it's enemies, or retire in safety from superior
forces. It's key location and excellent anchorage justified it's
great expense.

It is an interesting area for natural life, with birds often waiting
patiently for a favorable wind to fly the gap between Europe
and Africa.

http://www.gibnet.gi/~helpinghand/tours.html

http://www.gibnet.gi/~helpinghand/tours.html