Gulf of Batabanó
The Gulf of Batabanó (Spanish: Golfo de Batabanó; pronounced bah-tah-bah-NO), also called the Batabanó Gulf, is an inlet or strait off southwestern Cuba in the Caribbean Sea, separating Cuba proper from the Isle of Youth. It is located at 22°15′N 82°30′W / 22.25°N 82.5°W.
The gulf's northern border begins at the southern coast of Cuba in Pinar del Río Province, La Habana Province, and Matanzas Province, ending at the Zapata Peninsula (Península de Zapata), a length of about 80 miles (130 km). The northeastern section of the gulf is also called Ensenada de la Broa. The gulf strechs south about 50 miles (80 km) to the Isle of Youth. The gulf is shallow–less than 200 feet (61 m) deep–and contains about 350 smaller islands of the Canarreos Archipelago (los Archipiélago de los Canarreos) besides the Isle of Youth. The gulf is the center of a sponge fishing.