What strait separates England from France at the narrowest point?

The strait that separates England from France at the narrowest point of the English Channel is the Strait of Dover. It lies between the English county of Kent and France's Pas-de-Calais coast, forming the shortest sea crossing between Great Britain and continental Europe.

The narrowest practical crossing is about 33 kilometres, from South Foreland near Dover to Cap Gris-Nez near Calais. The White Cliffs of Dover and the French coastline can sometimes be seen from one another on clear days. The area is also famous for cross-Channel swimming and for heavy commercial traffic moving between the Atlantic, the English Channel and the North Sea.

The strait is sometimes called the Dover Strait or, from the French perspective, the Strait of Calais. It should not be confused with the Strait of Gibraltar, which separates Europe from Africa, or the Strait of Messina, which separates Sicily from mainland Italy. The English Channel is the larger body of water; the Strait of Dover is its narrow eastern gateway and narrowest section.