At the eastern end of the channel is the estuary of the River Severn. English Channel physical map. On the other hand, the narrowest end measures about 33.3 kilometers. A previous attempt had failed after a refueling attempt went awry.This time, Zapata pulled it off, taking 22 minutes to cover the distance of approximately 20 miles. The population around this water body is not evenly distributed; the English Shore is the most populous region. English: The English Channel lies between France and England. Create your account. The Channel Tunnel was bored through solid chalk. [14], Many crossings other than in conventional vessels have been attempted, including by pedalo, jetpack, bathtub, amphibious vehicle and more commonly by swimming. Most maritime traffic between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea and Baltic Sea passes through the Strait of Dover, rather than taking the longer and more dangerous route around the north of Scotland. Contextual translation of "channel width" into Finnish. [11] In these calmer zones, the water is clearer than in the rest of the strait; thus algae can grow despite the 46 m (151 ft) average depth and help increase diversity in the local species – some of which are endemic to the strait. This mix of various environments promotes a wide variety of wildlife. The shortest distance across the strait, 33.3 kilometres (20.7 miles; 18.0 nautical miles), is from the South Foreland, northeast of Dover in the English county of Kent, to Cap Gris Nez, a cape near to Calais in the French département of Pas-de-Calais. The Strait of Dover or Dover Strait, historically known as the Dover Narrows (French: Pas de Calais [pɑ d(ə) kalɛ] - Strait of Calais; Dutch: Nauw van Calais [nʌu̯ vɑn kaːˈlɛː] or the lesser used Straat van Dover), is the strait at the narrowest part of the English Channel, marking the boundary between the Channel and North Sea, separating Great Britain from continental Europe. All rights reserved. Also in the Channel are Jersey, Guernsey and the other Channel Islands. Moreover, this is a transition zone for the species of the Atlantic Ocean and those of the southern part of the North Sea. The strong currents of the Channel are slowed around the rocky areas of the strait, with formation of countercurrents and calmer zones where many species can find shelter. It is today one of the busiest shipping lanes on the planet. The strait is the busiest international seaway in the world, used by over 400 commercial vessels daily. This feat makes Zapata the first person to cross the English Channel on a … About English Channel: The Facts: Area: 29,000 sq mi (75,000 sq km). The predominant geology on both the British and French sides and on the seafloor is chalk. In 1940 it stopped the conquering Germans. Favorite Answer It is about 560 km (350 mi) long and varies in width from 240 km (150 mi) at its widest, to only 34 km (21 mi) in the Strait of Dover. It isn't just the distance that is the challenge, but more, the variable conditions that you are likely to encounter. Become a Study.com member to unlock this 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. Countries: United Kingdom, France, Guernsey, Jersey. width: 33.3 km (20.7 mi) Average depth It is 112 mi (180 km) wide at its west entrance, between Land's End, England, and Ushant, France. [17], Strait at the narrowest part of the English Channel, English Channel § History of Channel crossings, "Marine Governance in the English Channel (La Manche): Linking Science and Management", "The Channel Navigation Information Service (CNIS)", "Evidence of Ancient 'Geological Brexit' Revealed", "Les Ridens, haut-fond rocheux isolé du Pas de Calais: un peuplement remarquable", "Ridens et dunes hydrauliques du Pas de Calais", Depth Chart showing straits and former course of Rhine, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Strait_of_Dover&oldid=996748862, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without pushpin map, Articles using infobox body of water without image bathymetry, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 28 December 2020, at 11:51. 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