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The '''English Channel''' is the name of the shallow extension of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] which separates the Island of [[Great Britain]] from [[France]] where it is referred to as 'La Manche' (meaning ''the sleeve''). It is narrowest at the Straits of Dover, at its easternmost end where it joins the [[North sea]]. At this point, the UK and France are just 24 miles apart and the one is visible from the other on clear days.

The '''English Channel''' is the name of the shallow extension of the [[Atlantic Ocean]] which separates the Island of [[Great Britain]] from [[France]] where it is referred to as 'La Manche' (meaning ''the sleeve''). It is narrowest in the east at the Straits of Dover, where it joins the [[North sea]]. At this point, the UK and France are just 24 miles apart and on a clear day you can see right across.

It is the busiest shipping route in the world, and much of the sea cargo bound to and from Western and Northern [[Europe]] pass through the channel, as well as regular ferry links between the [[British Isles]] and the mainland.

It is the busiest shipping route in the world, and much of the sea cargo bound to and from Western and Northern [[Europe]] pass through the channel, as well as regular ferry links between the [[British Isles]] and the mainland.

Principal Ports on the Channel are [[Plymouth]], [[Poole]], [[Southampton]], [[Portsmouth]], [[Folkestone]], and [[Dover]] (UK), and [[Roscoff]], [[Cherbourg]], [[Le Havre]], [[Caen]], [[Boulogne]] and [[Calais]] (France).

Principal Ports on the Channel are [[Plymouth]], [[Poole]], [[Southampton]], [[Portsmouth]], [[Folkestone]], and [[Dover]] (UK), and [[Roscoff]], [[Cherbourg]], [[Le Havre]], [[Caen]], [[Boulogne]] and [[Calais]] (France).

In 1994, the 31-mile [[Channel Tunnel]], connecting England and France by rail beneath the Channel was completed. There had been a number of previous abortive historical attempts to build such a tunnel.

In 1994, the 31-mile [[Channel Tunnel]], connecting England and France by rail beneath the Channel was completed. There had been a number of previous failed attempts to build such a tunnel throughout history.

The [[Channel Islands]] are a British dependancy, close to the coast of [[Normandy]], France. The [[Isle of Wight]] also lies in the English Channel, seperated from the British Mainland by a narrow extension of the channel called [[The Solent]].

The [[Channel Islands]] are a British [[dependency]], close to the coast of [[Normandy]], France. The [[incest|Isle of Wight]] also lies in the English Channel, seperated from the British Mainland by a narrow extension of the channel called [[The Solent]].