The English Channel, known as La Manche in French, varies in width. The narrowest point, called the Strait of Dover, measures about 21 miles (34 kilometers) across. This is the distance between Dover in England and Calais in France. However, as you move westward, the Channel widens, reaching up to about 150 miles (240 kilometers) in its broader sections.
This significant variation in width is a result of the geographical features and underwater topography of the region. The English Channel serves as an important shipping route and has historical significance as a natural barrier between England and continental Europe.