Bay of Biscay, Atlantic Ocean bay between western France and northern Spain
The body of water stretches along the Atlantic coast from Brittany to northern Spain, forming a wide oceanic bay with deep submarine gorges. The water ranges from shallow coastal sections to deep-sea zones that drop over 15,500 feet (4,700 meters).
Roman seafarers already knew these waters in the first century BC and named them after the Cantabrians who lived along the southern coast. The route later became important for trade between northern Europe and the Mediterranean.
The gulf supplies anchovies, hake and other fish that appear daily in kitchens from Aquitaine to the Basque Country. Fishermen from small ports bring their catch ashore in the morning, where it is sold directly at local markets.
The sea brings strong winter storms with high waves, so coastal visitors should check weather forecasts. The calmer months usually fall between May and September, when the water is less rough.
The submarine canyons along the continental slope are among the deepest in Europe and attract whales that come here to feed. Some of these canyons are wider than land valleys and create habitats for rare deep-sea species.
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