Recently, French coastguards rescued 157 migrants from a boat that caught fire while crossing the English Channel.
About English Channel
The English Channel, also known simply as the Channel, is a narrow arm of the Atlantic Ocean separating the southern coast of England from the northern coast of France. It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the North Sea.
The Channel is approximately 563 km long and 246 km wide, while its narrowest point, the Strait of Dover, is only about 34 km wide. With an area of around 75,000 sq. km, it is the smallest of the shallow seas covering Europe's continental shelf.
The French call it “La Manche”, meaning “the sleeve”, referring to its shape.
Geographical Features
The Strait of Dover separates the English Channel from the North Sea. The Channel has a temperate maritime climate, characterised by relatively mild conditions compared with continental Europe.
The major islands include the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands, comprising Jersey, Guernsey, Alderney and Sark.
Historical Importance
The English Channel has historically served as a natural defensive barrier for Britain and played an important role in the:
Norman Conquest (1066)
Napoleonic Wars
World War I
World War II, particularly the Dunkirk Evacuation (1940) and Normandy Landings (1944).
Economic Importance
It is one of the world's busiest shipping routes and is a major maritime connection between the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.
Major ports include Dover, Portsmouth and Southampton in the UK, and Calais, Cherbourg and Le Havre in France.
Channel Tunnel
The Channel Tunnel (Chunnel) is a railway tunnel beneath the English Channel connecting Folkestone in Kent, England, with Coquelles near Calais, France.
It is approximately 50 km long and consists of three tunnels — two railway tunnels and a central service and security tunnel.
Its 37.8-km undersea section is the longest undersea portion of any tunnel in the world. It is the only fixed link between Great Britain and mainland Europe.
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We provide offline, online and recorded lectures in the same amount.
Every aspirant is unique and the mentoring is customised according to the strengths and weaknesses of the aspirant.
In every Lecture. Director Sir will provide conceptual understanding with around 800 Mindmaps.
We provide you the best and Comprehensive content which comes directly or indirectly in UPSC Exam.
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