The Strait of Dover or Dover Strait (French: Pas de Calais, pɑdə kalɛ, "Strait of Calais", Dutch: Nauw van Calais or Straat van Dover) is the strait at the narrowest part of the English Channel. 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).
The strait lies 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 opposite coastline and shoreline buildings with the naked eye.
