Vincent Bechtel age 11, of Des Moines, Iowa, for his question:

WHAT ARE THE WHITE CLIFFS OF DOVER?

About 65 miles southeast of London is the English Channel town of Dover. It is the main port for travel between England and France. It is very easy to see the location on clear days when you are in Calais, France, 24 miles across the sea, because of Dover's famous white cliffs.

Overlooking the town of Dover are the remains of Dover castle, located 320 feet above the water on the cliffs. The cliffs are white because they are made of chalk. During World War II, Germans shelled and bombed Dover repeatedly.

The white chalk cliffs actually rise on either side of the Strait of Dover. The narrowest spot, which is 21 miles wide, is where many athletes make their English Channel swims.