Why There is No Bridge Between Europe and Africa

Have you ever wondered why there is no bridge between Europe and Africa? This video documentary examines the map of both continents, revealing the geography and distance that remains a barrier to a bridge joining the two landmasses. From the depths of the Mediterranean Sea to the tiny strait of Gibraltar, this informative video unpacks how geography has played a major role in isolating Europe and Africa. This will help you understand why there is no bridge between these two large continents and if there is any potential to ever build one (or a tunnel)

CORRECTION:
6:33 The symbol on the screen should show less than 10 miles.

[annaczgli]

Save you a half hour: Europe doesn't want it

[Steffagain]

You are missing one crucial point. Most European countries have no interests in facilitating movement to and from Africa. Especially not when it comes to people. The current migrant crisis - which a very sensitive political issue - mainly concerns migrants from Africa illegally crossing the Mediterranean sea. The number of people detained in refugee camps awaiting processing is staggering. The situation is unsustainable from a humanitarian as well as a political perspective. Adding a fixed access point would require extensive measures to prevent movement of people, turning the bridge into a fortress, probably making border checks and crossings so complicated and time consuming that it wouldn't be financially or practically viable.

[DDo]

Simple answer, "we want your resources, not your people"

[mikearchibald]

I think we all know why there's no permanent bridge between Europe and Africa.

[everythingsgoneorang]

Sailed through there many times. It's mind blowing to see two continents at once.
Gibraltar rock is cool too.

[id_]

It's also important to note that transform faults cause locations to move to the sides - that means that because the fault runs across where the bridge is, the sides of the bridge would be shifted to opposing sides.

[lianacrisp]

Hiya I live in Gibraltar…. There is a lot more behind the reasons why people in Gibraltar do not want to be Spanish. Our first language is English, we only learn Spanish for logistics, being basically 3km long and stick to Spain.
In 1969, General Franco closed the land border between Gibraltar and Spain, separating families and locking in those who chose to stay on the rock.
He did not even allow the passage of medical supplies, food or any sort of tele communication.
He was hoping to starve the people out, believing they would come begging to be Spanish in order to be set free.
Instead something incredible happened, the people came together and found ways to push through the adversity they were facing.
The border was shut for 13 years!! Only opening to pedestrians in 1982. Seeing that this is only 41 years ago many of us who lived this are still alive.
We remember how the Spanish government tried to starve us, why would you want to join them?
We have been British for over 300 years and although illogical to many we wish to continue doing so. Last referendum a resounding 96% of the voters chose to remain British.
No country would want to join a nation that goes out of their way to make regular peoples lives difficult. Nowadays we have to stand in queues for hours to get into Spain.
Any political tension kicks off and we are directly bullied at the border being reminded that they have the power to bring our right to free movement to a grinding halt.
I could go on forever

[annycat]

In short: the depth at the narrowest point is 1 km and sea currents. Today, the Padma Bridge in Bangladesh has the deepest underwater supports - 122 meters. Already now it is considered a very complex and ambitious project, so it is not necessary to talk about the possibility of building a bridge in the open sea at a depth of 300 (then the bridge would be 10 km longer), let alone 900 meters.

[dexta]

At 1:00: “The potential economic impact is massive.”

At 5:50: “There isn’t a huge economic benefit.”

[nata]

having traveled multiple times between both countries by ferry I have wondered why no bridge- assumed it was a height thing with ships. This was very interesting

[lilshowpony]

As a clueless Australian, I always thought Europe and Africa were connected- I guess I never zoomed in enough on the map.

[anthonycannon]

I have sailed through the Straits of Gibraltar many times. The seas are no joke. I have encountered 70 foot seas one year. There's no way you could build a seaworthy bridge in those conditions

[basedaf]

I don't think they want the 2 continents connected :D :D

[Sirpesari]

Sometimes it's better to have some sort of a barrier between neighbors

[squeekydog]

Fantastic! My per-minute learning ratio was off the charts!

[thedesertdwellerfromutah]

Im sure Europe is thrilled that theres no bridge there 😅

[willgader]

It's because the economic crisis that we face here in north Africa is so dire that the population would instantly try to run across that bridge and risk getting riddled with bullets rather than living in the conditions our poor and lower middle class live in.

[johnwiebe]

The distance from the mainland of Spain and the Spanish city of Ceuta bordering Morocco is 11 miles away. If a tunnel were to be constructed by Spain, that would be the best option in terms of security and control, as Spain would have control of both sides of the tunnel.

[bellini]

Fascinating geography and history session.

[kennixox]

You just answered your question in the first couple of minutes. Depth of the Straights! You would have to build a bridge tall enough for the largest ships today and tomorrow to pass through. A floating bridge won't work and a tunnel under the straights would be almost impossible with today's technology.