Calais, << KAL ay >> (pop. 74,978; met. area pop. 129,864), a seaport in northern France, is closer to England than any other city in mainland Europe. It lies on the English Channel coast at the Strait of Dover, 26 miles (42 kilometers) southeast of Dover, England. Calais is a leading shipping center for trade between mainland Europe and England. It is also a major port for travel between the mainland and England.
Calais is divided into a section centering on the port and a section devoted to industrial activity. The city’s industries include distilling, food processing, and the manufacture of chemicals, electric appliances, paper, plastics, textiles—especially lace—and tiles. Calais is France’s largest lace-manufacturing center.
Loading the player...Burghers of Calais by Auguste Rodin
Calais’s founding date is unknown. Originally a fishing village, it became a major port during the Middle Ages. Modern port facilities were installed in the 1800’s. Sculptor Auguste Rodin created one of the city’s most famous attractions, the monumental Burghers of Calais. Calais suffered heavy damage during World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945), but was rebuilt. See also Dover, Strait of ; Rodin, Auguste .
