North Eastern Atlantic

The Gulf of Cádiz opens onto the Atlantic between southern Iberia and the Moroccan coast. Its waters lead east toward the Strait of Gibraltar, while ports on either side served ships engaged in trade and war. Francis Drake attacked Spanish shipping at Cádiz in 1587; across the gulf, the fortress at Mehdia guarded the mouth of the Sebou. Spain occupied that Moroccan stronghold in 1614, and Moulay Ismaïl recovered it in 1681.