Cádiz, Bay of
Cádiz, Bay of
an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean at the southwestern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. The bay is separated from the ocean by the Island of León, or San Fernando. It is about 15 km long and measures 10 km wide at the entrance. The shores of the bay are low-lying. The depth ranges from 9 to 16.5 m. There are many shoals along the northern coast. High tide occurs twice a day and measures about 3 m. The speed of the tidal currents reaches 6 km/hr. The coastal area is densely populated. Cádiz, a large city and port, is situated on the bay.