CADIZ, BAY OF

Spanish Baha De Cdiz, small inlet of the Gulf of Cdiz on the North Atlantic Ocean. It is 7 miles (11 km) long and up to 5 miles (8 km) wide, indenting the coast of Cdiz province, southwestern Spain. It receives the Guadalete River and is partially protected by the narrow Isle of Len, on which the major port of Cdiz is located. Other ports along the bay include San Fernando (south), Puerto Real (east), El Puerto de Santa Mara (northeast), and Rota (north). The harbours along the bay thrive as commercial centres serving the rich agricultural hinterland; transoceanic vessels call mainly at Cdiz. A considerable amount of salt, obtained by evaporation of seawater, is used to prepare fish caught offshore for export. Situated on the bay are the Spanish-U.S. air and naval base at Rota, the naval station at San Fernando, and the arsenal, or dockyard, of La Carraca just northeast of San Fernando.