English Channel
The English Channel, also known as the Channel, is an arm of the Atlantic Ocean that separates Southern England from northern France. It links to the southern part of the North Sea by the Strait of Dover at its northeastern end. It is the busiest shipping area in the world.
| English Channel | |
|---|---|
| |
English Channel | |
| Location | Northwestern Europe; between the Celtic and North Seas |
| Coordinates | 50.2°N 2°W |
| Part of | Atlantic Ocean |
| Primary inflows |
|
| Basin countries | |
| Max. length | 560 km (350 mi) |
| Max. width | 240 km (150 mi) |
| Surface area | 75,000 km2 (29,000 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 63 m (207 ft) |
| Max. depth | 174 m (571 ft) at Hurd's Deep |
| Water volume | 9,000 km3 (2,200 cu mi) (approx.) |
| Salinity | 3.4–3.5% |
| Max. temperature | 20 °C (68 °F) |
| Min. temperature | 5 °C (41 °F) |
| Islands |
|
| Settlements |
|
It is about 560 kilometres (300 nautical miles; 350 statute miles) long and varies in width from 240 km (130 nmi; 150 mi) at its widest to 34 km (18 nmi; 21 mi) at its narrowest in the Strait of Dover. It is the smallest of the shallow seas around the continental shelf of Europe, covering an area of some 75,000 square kilometres (22,000 square nautical miles; 29,000 square miles).
The Channel aided the United Kingdom in becoming a naval superpower, serving as a natural defence to halt attempted invasions, such as in the Napoleonic Wars and in the Second World War.
The northern, English coast of the Channel is more populous than the southern, French coast. The major languages spoken in this region are English and French.