Which strait separates the English county of Kent from France’s Pas-de-Calais?

The Strait of Dover separates the English county of Kent from France’s Pas-de-Calais.

It is the narrowest part of the English Channel, with a minimum width of about 33 kilometres between South Foreland near Dover and Cap Gris-Nez near Calais. The busy waterway connects the North Sea with the wider English Channel and Atlantic routes.

The strait has long been a major crossing point between Britain and continental Europe. Roman armies, medieval fleets, wartime navies, ferries, and modern tunnel trains have all used or crossed the region. The Channel Tunnel runs beneath the seabed nearby and links Folkestone with Coquelles.

A frequent mix-up is treating the Strait of Dover as a separate ocean or sea. It is a strait within the English Channel, and “Dover” identifies the narrow passage rather than the entire channel. Strong tides and dense commercial traffic make navigation demanding.