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Strait of Otranto
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Strait of Otranto

Mediterranean Sea
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Quick Summary

The Strait of Otranto is a narrow waterway connecting the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian Sea. It is situated between southeastern Italy and western Albania. The strait is approximately 40 miles (64 km) wide.12

The town of Otranto, located on the Italian side of the strait, is the easternmost town in Italy and historically served as a port for communication with Greece. Originally an ancient Greek settlement, it was known as Hydruntum by the Romans and maintained Greek language and culture until the 11th century. Although it was an important port, it was destroyed by a Turkish fleet in 1480 and never regained its former significance.2

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2 Britannica Sources
  1. Otranto, Strait of
  2. Otranto

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