Strait of Gibraltar crossing

The Intercontinental Biosphere Reserve of the Mediterranean is the first of its type to be designated by the Man and the Biosphere Programme. It combines the Tingitan Peninsula in Morocco and the southern Iberian Peninsula of Andalusia. Both countries are located in a biogeographic region of deciduous forests and evergreen sclerophyllous scrub within the Mediterranean bioclimatic zone. The maritime area of the biosphere reserve is dominated by the Strait of Gibraltar, which links the two peninsulas. The reserve also encompasses natural and human communication routes between Africa and Europe. The Moroccan section of the intercontinental biosphere reserve is located in the region of Djbala on the Tingitan Peninsula, adjacent to the Strait of Gibraltar. It is bordered by the Gharb plain and the hills of Hafs to the west, the Rif Central to the east, the Mediterranean coastline to the north, and the western Prerif to the south. The region is very mountainous and marked by two major crests: the Numidian chain and the mid-ocean limestone ridge. Extensive depressions are found in the crests, including the Chefchaouen furrow, which covers the central portion of the region. The highest peak is Jebel Lakraa with a height of 2,159 metres. The Spanish section of the biosphere reserve is located in the south of Andalusia. Numerous national parks, such as the Los Alcornocales Natural Park, contribute to the conservation and protection of unique flora and fauna species. In addition, the area is situated on the largest geological massif in Andalusia, the Baetic cordillera. Steep-sloped mountains characterize the topography of the entire area, especially in the north. The highest peak is 1,919 metres and is surrounded by rivers and channels. The reserve was designated in 2006, and is jointly administered by the Direction regionale des Eaux et forets du Rif, the Consejería de Medio Ambiente of the autonomous community of Andalusia and the Ministerio de Medio Ambiente of Spain. The reserve covers 894,134.75 hectares. The core areas consist of 86,251.37 hectares (21,651.37 of which are in Spain and 64,600 in Morocco). The buffer areas cover 633,654.95 hectares (351,154.95 in Spain and 282,500 in Morocco). The transition areas cover 174,228.43 hectares (50,728.43 in Spain, 123,500 in Morocco, and a marine area between both countries of 18,854.7 hectares).

The Port of Tarifa (Spanish: Puerto de Tarifa) is a commercial harbor for fishing and passenger boats, located in the Andalusian town of Tarifa. It is managed by the Port Authority of Algeciras and is the closest European port to North Africa and on the main shipping route to Tangier in Morocco and Ceuta. It has a length of 25 metres, and depth of 50 metres.

Isla de Las Palomas (lit. 'Pigeon Island') is an island opposite the town of Tarifa at the southern end of the Punta de Tarifa at the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula and continental Europe. The island has been connected to the mainland by causeway since 1808.

Punta de Tarifa or Punta Marroquí (Tarifa Point or Moroccan Point) is the southernmost point of the Iberian Peninsula and Continental Europe. It is located in the province of Cádiz and the autonomous community of Andalusia on the Atlantic end of the Straits of Gibraltar. The coast of Morocco can be seen from this point. The point is the southeastern tip of the former island, known as Isla de Tarifa or Isla de Las Palomas, located offshore and now connected to the mainland by a causeway. The island was occupied by a military installation between the 1930s and 2001.The name of Tarifa, both for the island and for the municipality, originates from Tarif ibn Malik, who in 711 started here the Islamic conquest of Hispania.

The Castle of Tarifa (Spanish: Castillo de Tarifa), also known as Castle of Guzmán el Bueno ("Good Guzmán", nickname of Alonso Pérez de Guzmán) or Castle of the Guzmáns (Alonso Pérez de Guzmán being the founder of the line from which the dukes of Medina Sidonia descend) is a castle in the coastal town of Tarifa in Spain.

Iglesia de San Mateo (St. Matthew's Church) is the main church of Tarifa in the Province of Cadiz, Spain. It was supposed to have been built in 1506 on the remains of an old mosque, although worship at the church has only been mentioned in documents since 1534, another date given for its inauguration. Numerous alterations have been made to the church over the centuries. The main Baroque facade was designed by architect Torcuato Cayon de la Vega in 1774, and the work was completed four years later under the direction of maestro Carlos Hermida. The bell tower has a square, robust base, and is topped with a fluted dome. The Capilla del Sagrario was restored in 1899, a magnificent dome on scallops that extends to the ground forming three semicircular chapels.

Tarifa (Spanish pronunciation: [taˈɾifa], Arabic: طريفة) is a Spanish municipality in the province of Cádiz, Andalusia. Located at the southernmost end of the Iberian Peninsula, it is primarily known as one of the world's most popular destinations for windsports. Tarifa lies on the Costa de la Luz ("coast of light") and across the Strait of Gibraltar facing Morocco. Besides the city proper, the municipality also comprises several villages, including Tahivilla, Facinas, and Bolonia.

The playa de Los Lances (English: Beach of Los Lances) is a beach that forms one side of the town of Tarifa, in the region of Campo de Gibraltar in Andalusia, Spain. The beach is 7,250 metres (23,790 ft) long from Punta de la Peña to Punta de Tarifa, with an average width of 120 metres (390 ft). It is usually differentiated into two zones: North Los Lances, an undeveloped beach away from main population center, and South Los Lances, very close to the town of Tarifa and with extensive human occupation. The Río Jara separates the two areas of the beach. Los Lances' location on the Atlantic side of the Strait of Gibraltar creates unique wind conditions which have made it Europe's foremost destination for kitesurfing. The beach is also a favorite for windsurfing and similar sports, and has ample facilities for participants in these sports.

The Battle of Río Salado also known as the Battle of Tarifa (30 October 1340) was a battle of the armies of King Afonso IV of Portugal and King Alfonso XI of Castile against those of Sultan Abu al-Hasan 'Ali of the Marinid dynasty and Yusuf I of Granada.

The Mirador del Estrecho (Spanish pronunciation: [miɾaˈðoɾ del esˈtɾetʃo]; English: Overlook of the Strait) is a scenic overlook over the Strait of Gibraltar located within the municipal borders of Tarifa, Spain, 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) from its urban centre. The overlook is 300 metres (980 ft) above sea level and can be reached via the N-340 road. The scenic overlook provides outstanding views over the Strait of Gibraltar and the African coast just opposite. On clear days, it is possible to have an uninterrupted view of the Spanish city of Ceuta (with Monte Hacho), at the East end of the coast (to the left); Jebel Musa, the highest elevation on the coast (the most likely African Pillar of Hercules, Abyla); and the Moroccan port of Tanger-Med (to the right of Jebel Musa).

El Estrecho (The Strait) Natural Park (Spanish: Parque Natural del Estrecho) is a natural park in Spain, located on the northern side of the Strait of Gibraltar. Comprising 189.1 square kilometres, it was declared a natural park in 2003. The park is located at the southernmost point of mainland Spain, and of mainland Europe, making it the southernmost park of Europe. The location at the point where the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea meet in the Strait of Gibraltar places it on the migratory route for many birds.

El Bujeo is a village in the municipality of Tarifa in the Province of Cadiz in southeastern Spain, It is located about 9 miles (14 km) southwest of Algeciras, along the main road to the southern tip of Spain at Tarifa, which is 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) away, and it lies between the villages of El Pelayo and El Cuartón. According to the National Statistics Institute, El Bujeo had 212 inhabitants in 2010. It lies within the Parque Natural del Estrecho, and woodland in the vicinity is said to offer a " diverse assemblage of breeding passerines."