Strait of Otranto, Maritime strait between Salento Peninsula, Italy and Karaburun Peninsula, Albania.
The Strait of Otranto is a waterway between Italy's Salento Peninsula and Albania's Karaburun Peninsula that connects the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian Sea. It spans roughly 72 kilometers across and has an average depth of around 18 meters.
During World War I, Allied navies built a defensive barrage across the strait to block Austro-Hungarian vessels from reaching the Mediterranean. This strategic move transformed it into a major zone of conflict during the Mediterranean campaigns.
The strait connects two coastal communities whose traditions of fishing and maritime trade have shaped life on both shores for centuries. Today, you can still see how local boats and fishing practices reflect this long history of living from the sea.
Navigation here demands care due to strong currents and shifting weather patterns that persist year-round. Visitors should expect variable water conditions and be prepared for unpredictable sea behavior at any time.
A 1992 treaty between Italy and Albania established the continental boundary within the strait, dividing administrative rights between the two nations. This agreement continues to shape how each country manages its portion of the waterway today.
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