Strait of Dover facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dover Strait |
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 View from France across the Strait of Dover towards the English coast |
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| Location | North Sea–English Channel (Atlantic Ocean) |
| Coordinates | 51°00′N 1°27′E / 51.000°N 1.450°E |
| Type | Strait |
| Basin countries | France England |
| Min. width | 33.3 km (20.7 mi) |
| Average depth | 150 ft (46 m) |
The Strait of Dover or Dover Strait is the strait at the narrowest part of the English Channel.
The strait is at the east end of the English Channel, where it joins the North Sea. Its width is the shortest distance between France and England. On a clear day, it is possible to see the coastline on the other side and the buildings on the shore without the help of binoculars.
The shortest distance across the strait is from the South Foreland, some 6 km (4 mi) north-east of Dover in the county of Kent, England, to Cap Gris Nez, a cape near Calais in the département of Pas-de-Calais, France. Between these two points – the most popular route for cross-channel swimmers – the distance is just 33 km (20 mi).
Images for kids
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Automatic Identification System display showing traffic in the strait in 2006
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NASA Satellite imageDecember 2002
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NASA Terra satellite image, March 2001
See also
In Spanish: Paso de Calais para niños
