Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The English Channel (La Manche) separates Great Britain from mainland Europe. At its narrowest (Dover–Calais), it is 21 miles (34 km) wide. It is the world's busiest shipping lane (~500 ships daily, 400+ million tonnes cargo annually), a major fishing ground, a challenging tidal waterway, and a historic theater (Battle of Hastings 1066, Spanish Armada 1588, Battle of Britain 1940). It is also a popular tourist destination for its white cliffs, beaches, and heritage sites.