Strait of Dover, Maritime strait between England and France.
The Strait of Dover is a maritime passage between England and France that connects the English Channel to the North Sea. At its narrowest point, it measures only a few kilometers across and serves as one of the world's busiest shipping routes.
The strait formed roughly 8000 years ago when water broke through the land bridge connecting Britain to continental Europe. This event permanently separated the islands from the mainland and reshaped the region's geography.
The Dover Strait has witnessed numerous cross-channel swimming attempts since Matthew Webb's first successful crossing in 1875.
Hundreds of ships pass through this strait daily, so observers from coastal viewpoints should maintain a safe distance. The best views of maritime traffic come from Dover's cliffs or from viewpoints along the French coast.
A railway tunnel runs beneath this strait and has connected the two countries since the 1990s. The tunnel allows trains, cars, and passengers to cross in roughly half an hour.
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