    the white cliffs of dover are cliffs which form part of the english coastline facing the strait of dover and france. the cliffs are part of the north downs formation. the cliff face, which reaches up to , owes its striking faÃ§ade to its composition of chalk accentuated by streaks of black flint. the cliffs spread east and west from the town of dover in the county of kent, an ancient and still important english port. the cliffs have great symbolic value in britain because they face towards continental europe across the narrowest part of the english channel, where invasions have historically threatened and against which the cliffs form a symbolic guard. because crossing at dover was the primary route to the continent before the advent of air travel, the white line of cliffs also formed the first or last sight of england for travellers. == location == the cliffs are located along the coastline of england between approximately  and . the white cliffs are at one end of the kent downs designated area of outstanding natural beauty.area of outstanding natural beauty, the white cliffs countryside partnership, retrieved 25 october 2012. during the summer of 1940, reporters gathered at shakespeare cliff to watch aerial dogfights between german and british aircraft during the battle of britain. it marks the point where great britain most closely approaches continental europe. on a clear day, the cliffs are easily visible from the french coast. in 1999 a sustainable national trust visitor centre was built in the area. the gateway building was designed by van heyningen and haward architects and houses a restaurant, an information centre on the work of the national trust, and details of local archaeology, history and landscape.susan dawson, [http://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/home/visitor-centre-white-cliffs-of-dove
Cliffs_of_England Geology_of_Kent Port_of_Dover,_Kent Visitor_attractions_in_Kent