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Bay of Biscay
Bay of Biscay , arm of the Atlantic Ocean, indenting the coast of W Europe from Ushant island (Île d'Ouessant) off Brittany, NW France, to Cape Ortegal, NW Spain. The bay is noted for its sudden, severe storms and its strong currents. The rocky northeastern and southern coasts of Biscay are irregular with many good harbors; numerous offshore islands are there. The southeastern shore is straight and sandy. The chief ports are Brest, Saint-Nazaire, La Rochelle, and Bayonne in France and San Sebastián, Bilbao, and Santander in Spain. Nantes and Bordeaux, at the head of the Loire and Garonne estuaries, respectively, in France, are also reached by oceangoing ships. There are several resorts along the French coast, notably Biarritz. The bay has important fishing and oyster grounds. |
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"Bay of Biscay." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Bay of Biscay." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Biscay-B.html "Bay of Biscay." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Biscay-B.html |
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Biscay, Bay of
Biscay, Bay of Inlet of the Atlantic Ocean, w of France and n of Spain. It is noted for its strong currents, sudden storms and sardine fishing grounds. The chief ports are Bilbao, San Sebastián and Santander in Spain, and La Rochelle, Bayonne and Saint-Nazaire in France.
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"Biscay, Bay of." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Biscay, Bay of." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-BiscayBayof.html "Biscay, Bay of." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-BiscayBayof.html |
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Biscay, Bay of
Biscay, Bay of (French: Golfe de Gascogne; Spanish: Golfo de Vizcaya), Atlantic Ocean Of Basque origin, the name comes from biskar ‘mountain country’, a reference to the Pyrenees, on both sides of which the Basques live.
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JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Biscay, Bay of." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 31 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Biscay, Bay of." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 31, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-BiscayBayof.html JOHN EVERETT-HEATH. "Biscay, Bay of." Concise Dictionary of World Place-Names. 2005. Retrieved May 31, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O209-BiscayBayof.html |
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