Why No One Built a Bridge Between Europe and Africa

Building a bridge between Europe and Africa sounds amazing, but it’s way trickier than it seems. The Strait of Gibraltar, where the two continents are closest, is about 8 miles wide, but the water there is super deep—up to 3,000 feet in some places! On top of that, the area is really windy and has strong currents, which makes construction extra challenging. Engineers have proposed ideas, like floating tunnels or super-long suspension bridges, but they’d cost a fortune and would still face massive technical hurdles. Political and economic challenges also come into play, as such a bridge would require cooperation between multiple countries. For now, ferries do the job, and most people find them convenient enough. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices