Interesting Facts About the Cliffs of Dover

The white cliffs of Dover in Kent County, England, were mentioned by Julius Caesar in his account of a 55 B.C. Roman invasion and by William Shakespeare in "King Lear."

Why the Cliffs are White

The white substance on the face of the cliffs is a limestone chalk consisting primarily of the finely ground shells and exoskeletons of marine life.

Age

The white cliffs of Dover were formed undersea during the Cretaceous Period, which began 13.6 million years ago.

"There'll Be Bluebirds Over"

Though the World War II era classic "There'll Be Bluebirds Over," made famous by Vera Lynn, couples bluebirds with the white cliffs of Dover, that species of bird is not typically found in the area.

James Bond

In the James Bond movie "Moonraker," by Ian Flemming, the villain of the story attempts to kill Bond by bombing the cliffs.

References

• Dover: The White Cliffs of Dover
• Famous Wonders: White Cliffs of Dover