étroits

Étroits, in geography, are narrow bodies of water that connect two larger seas or oceans while separating two pieces of land. They form through a combination of tectonic activity, sea-level changes, and coastal erosion, and their widths can range from a few hundred meters to many kilometers. Some étroits are deep and geologically active, while others are shallow and strongly influenced by tides and currents. They often act as natural gateways for marine species and can influence local climate and water exchange between basins.

Because étroits link larger bodies of water, they are frequently important for global navigation and trade. The control, management, and safety of these passages are topics in international law and maritime policy. Nations may regulate traffic, require pilots, and implement traffic separation schemes to reduce collision risks or environmental hazards. In practice, some straits function as critical chokepoints for energy shipments and international commerce, making their stability a matter of regional and even global interest.

Notable étroits include the Strait of Dover between England and France, the Strait of Gibraltar between Spain and Morocco, the Turkish Straits consisting of the Bosporus and Dardanelles connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean, the Strait of Hormuz linking the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, the Strait of Malacca between the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra, the Bab el-Mandeb between Yemen and the Horn of Africa, and the Torres Strait between Australia and Papua New Guinea. Other historically significant examples include the Strait of Magellan and various regional passages that shape maritime routes.