Cape St. Vincent to the Strait of Gibraltar

Early 20th century admiralty chart of the southeastern coast of Iberia and the strait of Gibraltar.

This tremendously detailed navigational chart covers the southern coastlines of Spain and Portugal to the Strait of Gibraltar and includes a portion of the Moroccan coast. Though some interior detail is provided through place names, transportation routes (notably the inland waterway to Seville) and contoured topography, the real emphasis is on the sea and coast.

Depth soundings are listed throughout the image while significant attention is given to navigational hazards. For example, off Portugal an annotation notes the presence of fishing nets up to four miles off the coast during the summer season. Other coastal details include fisheries, life saving stations, and other identifying landmarks.

Three compasses assist in the calculation of lines of magnetic delineation, and a note at the bottom of the sheet describes the local currents in some detail. Lighthouses are individually highlighted by hand, one of which (the Cape St. Mary Lighthouse) can be seen profiled in the lower left. Two coastal views are also included.

The chart was published in London in 1905 by the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office under the direction of Captain Arthur Mostyn, Hydrographer of the Navy. Engraved by Davies & Company.