Torres Strait | |
---|---|
Zenadh Kes | |
![]() Torres Strait and Islands | |
Location | Indian Ocean Pacific Ocean |
Coordinates | 9°50′S 142°30′E / 9.833°S 142.500°E |
Type | Strait |
Basin countries | Australia Papua New Guinea |
The Torres Strait (/ˈtɒrɪs/), also known as Zenadh Kes (pronounced [ˈzen̪ad̪ kes]), is a strait between Australia and the Melanesian island of New Guinea. It is 150 km (93 mi) wide at its narrowest extent. To the south is Cape York Peninsula, the northernmost extremity of the Australian mainland. To the north is the Western Province of Papua New Guinea. It is named after the Spanish navigator Luís Vaz de Torres, who sailed through the strait in 1606.