View source for Bay of Biscay

{{Short description|Gulf of the northeast Atlantic Ocean located south of the Celtic Sea}}
{{distinguish|text=[[Biscay Bay]] in Canada or [[Biscayne Bay]] in the United States}}
{{about||the bay in Auckland, New Zealand|French Bay / Otitori Bay|the soil type|Bay of Biscay soil}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name               = Bay of Biscay
| image              = Praia de Bares 4IX2015.jpg
| alt                = 
| caption            = Spanish coastline
| image_map          = Bay of Biscay map.svg
| caption_map        = Map of the Bay of Biscay
| image_bathymetry   = Celtic Sea and Bay of Biscay bathymetric map-en.svg
| alt_bathymetry     = 
| caption_bathymetry = Bathymetric map of the Bay of Biscay
| location           = [[Western Europe]] and [[Southern Europe]]
| group              = 
| coordinates        = {{Coord|45|30|N|04|24|W|type:waterbody_scale:5000000|display=inline,title}}
| type               = [[Gulf]]
| etymology          = 
| part_of            = 
| inflow             = 
| rivers             = 
| outflow            = 
| oceans             = [[Atlantic Ocean]]
| catchment          = <!-- {{cvt|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| basin_countries    = [[France]] and [[Spain]]
| length             = {{cvt|593.7|km}}
| width              = {{cvt|511.1|km}}
| area               = {{cvt|223,000|km2}} 
| depth              = {{cvt|1,744|m}}
| max-depth          = {{cvt|4,735|m}}
| volume             = {{cvt|389,000|km3}}
| residence_time     = 
| salinity           = 35 g/L
| shore              = <!-- {{cvt|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| elevation          = <!-- {{cvt|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| temperature_high   = <!-- {{cvt|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| temperature_low    = <!-- {{cvt|VALUE|UNITS}} must be used -->
| frozen             = 
| islands            = 
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| sections           = 
| trenches           = 
| benches            = 
| cities             = 
| pushpin_map            = 
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}}

The '''Bay of Biscay''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɪ|s|k|eɪ|,_|-|k|i}} {{respell|BISS|kay|,_-|kee}}) also known as the '''Gulf of Biscay''' or the '''Gulf of Gascony''' is a [[gulf]] of the northeast [[Atlantic Ocean]] located south of the [[Celtic Sea]]. It lies along the western coast of [[France]] from [[Point Penmarc'h]] to the [[Spain|Spanish]] border, and along the northern coast of Spain, extending westward to [[Cape Ortegal]].

The average depth is {{cvt|1744|m|ft}} and the greatest depth is {{cvt|4735|m|ft}}.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bay of Biscay |url=http://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150448/ |publisher=Eoearth.org |access-date=2015-07-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150720203133/https://www.eoearth.org/view/article/150448/ |archive-date=2015-07-20}}</ref>

==Etymology==
The Bay of Biscay is known in Spain as the Gulf of Biscay ({{langx|es|Golfo de Vizcaya}}; {{langx|eu|Bizkaiko Golkoa}}). In France, it is called the Gulf of [[Gascony]] ({{langx|fr|Golfe de Gascogne}} {{IPA|fr|ɡɔl.f(ə) də ɡas.kɔɲ|}}; {{langx|oc|Golf de Gasconha}}; {{langx|br|Pleg-mor Gwaskogn}}; {{langx|eu|Gaskoiniako Golkoa}}). In [[Latin]], the bay was known as {{lang|la|Sinus Cantabrorum}} ([[Cantabria|Cantabrian]] Gulf); the name [[Cantabrian Sea]] is still used locally for the southern area of the Bay of Biscay that washes over the northern coast of Spain ([[Cantabria]]). The English name comes from [[Biscay]] on the northern Spanish coast, probably standing for the [[Biscayne (ethnonym)|western Basque districts]] (''Biscay'' up to the early 19th century).

==Geography==
[[Image:Acantilados Vizcaya.JPG|thumb|right|Basque coast along the Bay of Biscay]]
[[Image:Biarritz Phare et Grande Plage.jpg|thumb|right|[[Biarritz]] Beach ([[French Basque Country]])]]

Parts of the [[continental shelf]] extend far into the bay, resulting in fairly shallow waters in many areas and thus the rough seas for which the region is known. Heavy storms occur in the bay, especially during the winter months. The Bay of Biscay is home to some of the [[Atlantic Ocean]]'s fiercest [[weather]]; abnormally high waves occur there.<ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=y0ErAAAAYAAJ&q=%22bay%20of%20biscay%22%20%22gulf%20stream%22&pg=PA7 |quote=The Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras, the Gulf of Alaska, the English Channel, and the Bay of Biscay are some of the other areas where storms and current combine to produce abnormally high, steep waves. |title=A Summary of Wave Data Needs and Availability: A Report |year=1979 |page=7 |access-date=2021-01-05 |archive-date=2023-04-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406052513/https://books.google.com/books?id=y0ErAAAAYAAJ&q=%22bay%20of%20biscay%22%20%22gulf%20stream%22&pg=PA7 |url-status=live }}</ref> Up until recent years it was a regular occurrence for merchant vessels to founder in Biscay storms.

===Extent===
The [[International Hydrographic Organization]] defines the limits of the Bay of Biscay as "a line joining [[Cape Ortegal Lighthouse|Cap Ortegal]] ({{Coord|43|46|N|7|52|W|display=inline}}) to [[Point Penmarc'h|Penmarch Point]] ({{Coord|47|48|N|4|22|W|display=inline}})".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/standards/s-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |title=Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition + corrections |year=1971 |publisher=International Hydrographic Organization |access-date=28 December 2020 |page=42 [corrections to page 13] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008191433/http://www.iho.int/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf |archive-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>

The southernmost portion is the [[Cantabrian Sea]].<ref name="miteco3">{{cite web |url=https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/costas/temas/proteccion-medio-marino/I_Marco%20General_Noratlantica_tcm30-130860.pdf |title=Estrategia marina. Demarcación marina Noratlántica. Parte I. Marco general evaluación inicial y buen estado ambiental. |access-date=22 January 2021 |author=VVAA |date=2012 |language=spanish |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127165749/https://www.miteco.gob.es/es/costas/temas/proteccion-medio-marino/I_Marco%20General_Noratlantica_tcm30-130860.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Rivers===
The main rivers that empty into the Bay of Biscay are [[Odet]], [[Aven (river)|Aven]], [[Laïta]], [[Scorff]], [[Blavet]], [[Vilaine]], [[Loire]], [[Lay (river)|Lay]], [[Sèvre Niortaise]], [[Charente (river)|Charente]], [[Seudre]], [[Garonne]], [[Dordogne (river)|Dordogne]], [[Eyre (river)|Eyre]], [[Adour]], [[Nivelle (river)|Nivelle]], [[Untxin]], [[Bidasoa]], [[Oiartzun (river)|Oiartzun]], [[Urumea]], [[Oria (river)|Oria]], [[Urola]], [[Deba River|Deba]], [[Artibai]], [[Lea river (Biscay)|Lea]], [[Oka River (Spain)|Oka]], [[Nervión]], [[Agüera (river)|Agüera]], [[Asón]], [[Miera (river)|Miera]], [[Pas (river)|Pas]], [[Saja (river)|Saja]], [[Nansa]], [[Deva (river)|Deva]], [[Sella River|Sella]], [[Nalón (river)|Nalón]], [[Navia river|Navia]], [[Esva River|Esva]], [[Eo (river)|Eo]], [[Landro (Galicia)|Landro]] and [[Sor Mañón|Sor]].

===Climate===
In late spring and early summer, a large fog triangle fills the southwestern half of the bay, extending a few kilometres inland.

As winter begins, weather becomes severe. Depressions frequently enter from the west, and either move north to the [[British Isles]] or enter the [[Ebro Valley]], dry out, and are finally reborn in the form of powerful thunderstorms as they reach the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. These depressions cause severe weather at sea and bring light but constant rain to its shores (known as ''[[drizzle|orballo]]'', ''sirimiri'', ''morrina'', ''orbayu'', ''orpin'' or ''calabobos''). Powerful windstorms may form if the pressure falls rapidly ([[galerna]]), traveling along the [[Gulf Stream]] at great speed, resembling a hurricane, and finally reaching the bay with their maximum power, such as [[Cyclone Klaus]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.marineinsight.com/life-at-sea/why-the-bay-of-biscay-is-dangerous-for-ships/ |title=Why the Bay of Biscay is Dangerous for Ships? |date=2011-10-21 |website=Marine Insight |language=en-US |access-date=2019-05-07 |archive-date=2019-05-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190507171109/https://www.marineinsight.com/life-at-sea/why-the-bay-of-biscay-is-dangerous-for-ships/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

The [[Gulf Stream]] enters the bay following the continental shelf's border anti-clockwise (the [[Rennell Current]]), keeping temperatures moderate all year long.

===Main cities===

The main cities on the shores (or close to) of the Bay of Biscay are [[Lorient]], [[Vannes]], [[Saint-Nazaire]], [[Bordeaux]], [[Bayonne]], [[Biarritz]], [[Nantes]], [[La Rochelle]], [[Donostia-San Sebastián]], [[Bilbao]], [[Santander, Cantabria|Santander]], [[Gijón]] and [[Avilés]].

==History==
The southern end of the gulf is also called ''"Mar Cantábrico" in Spanish'' ([[Cantabrian Sea]]), from the [[Estaca de Bares]], as far as the mouth of [[Adour]] river, but this name is not generally used in English. It was named by Romans in the 1st century BC as ''Sinus Cantabrorum'' (Bay of the [[Cantabri]]) and also, ''Mare Gallaecum'' (the Sea of the [[Galicians]]). On some medieval maps, the Bay of Biscay is marked as ''El Mar del los Vascos'' (the Basque Sea).<ref>{{cite web |title=El mar de los vascos, II: del Golfo de Vizcaya al Mediterráneo |url=http://www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/jgl/07001110.pdf |publisher=Euskomedia.org |access-date=2015-07-17 |archive-date=2018-07-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180729062320/http://www.euskomedia.org/PDFAnlt/jgl/07001110.pdf |url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Bay of Biscay has been the site of many famous naval engagements over the centuries. In 1592 the Spanish defeated an English fleet during the [[Battle of the Bay of Biscay (1592)|Battle of the Bay of Biscay]]. The [[Order of Battle in the Biscay campaign of June 1795|Biscay campaign of June 1795]] consisted of a series of manoeuvres and two battles fought between the British [[Channel Fleet]] and the French Atlantic Fleet off the southern coast of [[Brittany]] during the second year of the [[French Revolutionary Wars]]. The {{USS|Californian|1900|6}} sank here after striking a [[naval mine]] on 22 June 1918.<ref>{{cite web |title=USS Californian (1918–1918) |url=http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-c/califrnn.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041224191412/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-c/califrnn.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2004-12-24 |publisher=History.navy.mil |access-date=2015-07-17}}</ref> In 1920 the {{SS|Afrique|1907|6}} sank after losing power and drifting into a reef in a storm with the loss of 575 lives. On 28 December 1943, the [[Battle of the Bay of Biscay]] was fought between {{HMS|Glasgow|C21|6}} and {{HMS|Enterprise|D52|6}}, and a group of German destroyers as part of [[Operation Stonewall]] during [[World War II]]. The area became known as the "Valley of Death" by [[U-boat]] crews following a series of repeated losses from [[RAF]] attacks on U-boats from 1943 until the end of the war.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Bay of Biscay |url=https://uboat.net/maps/biscay.htm |website=uboat.net |access-date=2024-07-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240706171100/https://uboat.net/maps/biscay.htm |archive-date=2024-07-06 |url-status=live}}</ref> The {{GS|U-667||2}} sank on 25 August 1944 in position {{coord|46|00|N|01|30|W}}, when she struck a mine. All hands were lost.

On 12 April 1970, {{ship|Soviet submarine|K-8}} sank in the Bay of Biscay due to a fire that crippled the submarine's nuclear reactors. An attempt to save the sub failed, resulting in the death of forty sailors and the loss of four nuclear torpedoes. Due to the great depth ({{cvt|15,000|ft|m|disp=or}}), no salvage operation was attempted.{{Citation needed|date=July 2021}}

==Wildlife==

=== Plaiaundi Ecology Park ===
The [[Plaiaundi|Plaiaundi Ecology Park]] is a 24-hectare coastal wetland lying where the [[Bidasoa|Bidasoa River]] meets the sea in the Bay of Biscay.The nature of [[Plaiaundi]] consists of a wide variety of [[flora]] (visitors view them mainly in the spring) and [[fauna]] (visitors with binoculars arrive all during the year, because of the birds' migratory habits). This nature park contains a variety of [[bird]]s, [[reptile]]s, [[mammal]]s and [[insect]]s.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-22 |title=Plaiaundi Ecology Park {{!}} Plans to know the Basque Country {{!}} Tourism E… |url=http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/plans-to-know-the-basque-country/plaiaundi-ecology-park/x65-12375/en |access-date=2021-07-24 |website=archive.is |archive-date=2013-02-22 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130222052140/http://tourism.euskadi.net/en/plans-to-know-the-basque-country/plaiaundi-ecology-park/x65-12375/en |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Marine mammals===
{{See also|Whale watching}}
The car ferries from [[Gijón]] to [[Nantes]]/[[Saint-Nazaire]], [[Portsmouth]] to [[Bilbao]] and from [[Plymouth]], [[Portsmouth]] and [[Poole]] to [[Santander, Cantabria|Santander]] provide one of the most convenient ways to see [[cetacean]]s in European waters. Often specialist groups take the ferries to collect more information. Volunteers and employees of ORCA regularly observe and monitor cetacean activity from the [[Bridge (nautical)|bridge]] of the ships on [[Brittany Ferries]]' Portsmouth to Santander route. Many species of [[whale]]s and [[dolphin]]s can be seen in this area. Most importantly, it is one of the few places in the world where the [[beaked whale]]s, such as the [[Cuvier's beaked whale]], have been observed relatively frequently. Biscay Dolphin Research monitored cetacean activity from the [[P&O Ferries]] cruise ferry ''[[Pride of Bilbao]]'', on voyages from Portsmouth to Bilbao.

[[North Atlantic right whale]]s, one of the most endangered species of whales, once came to the bay for feeding and probably for calving as well, but [[History of Basque whaling|whaling activities by Basque people]] almost wiped them out sometime prior to the 1850s. The eastern population of this species are considered to be almost extinct, and there has been no record of right whales in the Bay of Biscay except for a pair in 1977 (possibly a mother and calf) at {{coord|43|00|N|10|30|W}},<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Reeves, R.R. |author2=Mitchell, E. |name-list-style=amp |year=1986 |title=American pelagic whaling for right whales in the North Atlantic |journal=Report of the International Whaling Commission |issue=Special Issue 10 |pages=221–254 |url=http://iwc.int/cache/downloads/brhgc3aemagcsoos0kocgcggc/RIWC-SI10-pp221-254.pdf |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-date=2020-04-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200423103058/https://iwc.int/cache/downloads/brhgc3aemagcsoos0kocgcggc/RIWC-SI10-pp221-254.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> and another pair in June 1980. Other records in the late 20th century include one off [[Galicia (Spain)|Galicia]] at {{coord|43|00|N|10|30|W}} in September 1977 reported by a whaling company and another one seen off the Iberian Peninsula.

The best areas to see the larger cetaceans are in the deep waters beyond the [[continental shelf]], particularly over the [[Santander Canyon]] and [[Torrelavega Canyon]] in the south of the Bay.

The alga ''[[Colpomenia peregrina]]'' was introduced and first noticed in 1906 by oyster fishermen in the Bay of Biscay.

''[[Grammatostomias flagellibarba]]'' (scaleless dragonfish) are native to these waters.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.fishbase.us/summary/Grammatostomias-flagellibarba.html |editor=Froese, R. |editor2=D. Pauly |journal=FishBase |year=2016 |title=Grammatostomias flagellibarba |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150825214445/http://www.fishbase.us/summary/Grammatostomias-flagellibarba.html |archive-date=2015-08-25}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Asturias]]
*[[Basque Country (greater region)]]
*[[Cantabria]]
*[[On the Bay of Biscay]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons}}
*{{Cite NSRW |short=x |wstitle=Biscay, Bay of}}

{{List of seas}}
{{Marginal seas of the Atlantic Ocean}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Bay of Biscay| ]]
[[Category:European seas]]
[[Category:France–Spain border]]
[[Category:Geography of Europe]]
[[Category:Geography of Nouvelle-Aquitaine]]
[[Category:Geography of the Basque Country (greater region)]]
[[Category:Green Spain]]
[[Category:Gulfs of Metropolitan France|Biscay]]
[[Category:Gulfs of Spain|Biscay]]
[[Category:Gulfs of the Atlantic Ocean]]
[[Category:Landforms of Brittany]]
[[Category:Landforms of Nouvelle-Aquitaine]]
[[Category:Landforms of Pays de la Loire]]
[[Category:Shipping Forecast areas]]