<P> 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 Kales ( nʌu̯ vɑn kaːˈlɛː ) or 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 . 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 . Between these points lies the most popular route for cross-channel swimmers . The entire strait is within the territorial waters of France and the United Kingdom , but a right of transit passage under the UNCLOS exists allowing unrestricted shipping . </P>
<P> 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 Kales ( nʌu̯ vɑn kaːˈlɛː ) or 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 . 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 . Between these points lies the most popular route for cross-channel swimmers . The entire strait is within the territorial waters of France and the United Kingdom , but a right of transit passage under the UNCLOS exists allowing unrestricted shipping . </P>
what 's the distance between england and france
what 's the distance between england and france
33.3 kilometres ( 20.7 miles ; 18.0 nautical miles )
33.3 kilometres ( 20.7 miles ; 18.0 nautical miles )