Belle Isle, Strait of

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Strait of Belle Isle (bĕlīl´), c.35 mi (60 km) long and from 10 to 15 mi (16–24 km) wide, between the island of Newfoundland and Labrador-Ungava peninsula, Canada. The northern entrance to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, it is deep and free of rocks and shoals; ice blocks it from November to June. There is a strong tidal current. The tiny rock island Belle Isle (700 ft/213 m high), at the Atlantic entrance, has a lighthouse and is the first land sighted by ships from Europe.