Calais is a major French port city located in the Pas-de-Calais department. It serves as the largest city within the department and holds the status of a subprefecture. As of 2022, the population of the city proper was 67,585, while the broader urban area reached 144,488 residents.
The city overlooks the Strait of Dover at its narrowest point, which is only 34 km (21 mi) wide. Due to this proximity, Calais is the closest French town to England, and the White Cliffs of Dover are visible from the city on clear days. It serves as a primary hub for ferries traveling between France and England and has been connected to Folkestone via the Channel Tunnel since 1994.