Dover

/doh"veuhr/, n.

1. a seaport in E Kent, in SE England: point nearest the coast of France. 101,700.

2. Strait of. French, Pas de Calais. a strait between England and France, connecting the English Channel and the North Sea: least width 20 mi. (32 km).

3. a city in and the capital of Delaware, in the central part. 23,512.

4. a city in SE New Hampshire. 22,377.

5. a town in N New Jersey. 14,681.

6. a city in E Ohio. 11,526.

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I

City (pop., 2000: 32,135), capital of Delaware, U.S., on the St. Jones River.

Laid out in 1717 as the site for a county courthouse and jail by order of William Penn and named for Dover, Eng., it became the capital in 1777. Its many colonial buildings include the Old State House (rebuilt 1787–92), which served as the capitol building until 1933; displayed there are King Charles II's original royal grant and Penn's deeds to Delaware (1682). The modern city is a farm trade centre and shipping point for fruits, and it has some light industries.

II

ancient Dubris Portus

Town (pop., 1995 est.: 34,000) and seaport on the Strait of Dover, Dover district, administrative and historic county of Kent, southeastern England.

A pre-Roman settlement existed on the site, and in the 4th century AD it was guarded by a Saxon fort. During the 11th century it was chief of the Cinque Ports. Dover Castle, a stronghold of medieval England, was besieged by rebellious barons in 1216. The town was held by Parliamentarians in the English Civil Wars. It was a naval base in World War I and was bombed by Germans in World War II. Landmarks include the castle, a Roman lighthouse, and an ancient fortress church. Famous for the white chalk cliffs rising above it, Dover is a leading passenger port.

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▪ Delaware, United States

 city, capital (1777) of Delaware, U.S., seat of Kent county, in the east-central portion of the state on the St. Jones River. It was laid out in 1717 around an existing county courthouse and jail on the order (1683) of William Penn (Penn, William) and was named for the English city. Dover was incorporated as a town in 1829 and as a city in 1929. Colonial buildings clustered around the Green include the Old State House (1792), which served as the capitol until 1933 when the main state offices were transferred to nearby Legislative Hall. King Charles II's royal grant and William Penn's deeds to Delaware (1682) from James, duke of York (later King James II (James II)), are displayed in the Hall of Records. The boyhood home (1740) of John Dickinson (Dickinson, John), “penman of the Revolution,” is preserved. The Delaware State Museum sites in Dover include Meeting House Gallery I, which occupies a former Presbyterian church (1790).

      Dover is a state government and farm trade centre with some light industries. It is the seat of Delaware State University (1891) and Wesley College (1873). Dover Air Force Base, established during World War II, is the principal air cargo terminal for the Air Mobility Command. The Delaware Agricultural Museum and Village is 2 miles (3 km) north of the city centre. Pop. (1990) 27,630; (2000) 32,135.

▪ England, United Kingdom

      town and seaport on the Strait of Dover (Dover, Strait of), Dover district, administrative and historic county of Kent, England. Situated at the mouth of a valley in the chalk uplands that form the famous white cliffs, Dover is the closest English port to the European mainland.

      A pre-Roman settlement existed on the site, and, as Dubris, the place was important for Roman traffic with the European mainland. In the 4th century CE it was guarded by a fort as part of the defenses of the Saxon Shore. The castle, 375 ft (114 m) above sea level and from which on a clear day the coast of France can be seen, dominates the town below. Within its precincts are a Roman lighthouse, the ancient fortress Church of St. Mary in Castro, remains of the Saxon stronghold, and the massive Norman keep. During the 11th century it was made one of the Cinque Ports (q.v.). Dover claims to be a Saxon borough by “prescription,” without a formal charter of incorporation.

      During World War II the town was shelled from France and bombed from the air, but the shattered seafront was subsequently redeveloped after the war. Dover is the foremost passenger port in the United Kingdom, with a harbour of more than 600 ac (240 ha); it is the principal cross-Channel ferry port. Some light industries have become important. Pop. (2001) 34,087.

▪ New Hampshire, United States

      city, seat (1769) of Strafford county, southeastern New Hampshire, U.S. It is located at the falls (a 33-foot [10-metre] drop) of the Cocheco River, near its junction with the Piscataqua River, just northwest of Portsmouth. Originally settled in 1623 by fishermen and traders, it was known as Bristol. A second settlement was made at nearby Dover Neck, or Point, in 1633. The town was an independent entity before 1642, when it voluntarily submitted to the jurisdiction of Massachusetts. Dover was a target for Indian attacks from about 1675 to 1725, the worst occurring on June 28, 1689. The town developed around the Point and its shipbuilding interests, but as manufacturing grew in the 18th and 19th centuries the centre gradually shifted northward. Diversified industries now include the manufacture of automotive trim, electric motors, printing presses, fabrics, shoes, plastics, and electronic equipment. The Woodman Institute has natural science and colonial exhibits. Inc. city, 1855. Pop. (1990) 25,042; (2000) 26,884.

▪ district, England, United Kingdom

      district, eastern part of the administrative and historic county of Kent, England, on the Strait of Dover. The history and economy of the district reflect its location as the part of England closest to France. Through the district pass major routes from London to Belgium and France. The old ports of Sandwich, Deal, and Dover are the principal towns. White chalk cliffs line much of the coast. Area 120 square miles (312 square km). Pop. (2001) 104,490.

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