BISCAY, BAY OF

v.

or Gulf of Gascony French Golfe de Gascogne Spanish Golfo de Vizcaya

Inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, bounded by southwestern France and northwestern Spain.

It has an area of about 86,000 sq mi (223,000 sq km) and a maximum depth of 15,525 ft (4,735 m). It is known for its rough seas. Rivers flowing into the bay include the Loire , Adour , and Garonne . Its ports include (in France) Brest, Nantes , and Bordeaux , and (in Spain) Bilbao , Santander , and Avilés; none can accommodate large vessels. French coastal resorts include La Baule, Biarritz , and Saint-Jean-de–Luz.