Pronunciation: [kˈale͡ɪ] (IPA) 
The word "Calais" is a French town's name, pronounced /ka.lɛ/. It is spelled with a "c" and two "a"s followed by an "l" and two "i"s. The first "a" in "Calais" is pronounced with an open sound /a/ and the second "a" with a closed sound /ɛ/, which is a common feature in the French language. The "s" at the end of the word is silent, which is also a common feature in French.
Calais is a noun primarily referring to a port city located in northern France. It is situated on the English Channel, about 20 miles across from Dover, England. With a population of around 75,000, Calais is known for its historical significance as a major trade and transportation hub. Its strategic coastal location has made it a significant maritime gateway for centuries.
Historically, Calais has been a site of frequent territorial disputes between England and France. The city is renowned for the dramatic events surrounding the Siege of Calais in the 16th century during the reign of Queen Mary I of England, as well as the famous Battle of Calais during World War II. These events have left lasting imprints on Calais' cultural heritage and contributed to its significance in European history.
In modern times, Calais remains an important border town and transportation center. It serves as a vital link between France and England, with major transportation infrastructures such as the Eurotunnel connecting the two countries. Additionally, Calais has a thriving fishing industry and is known for its diverse architecture, ranging from medieval structures to modern developments.
Overall, Calais is a city with a rich historical background and continues to play a pivotal role in cross-channel transportation and trade.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "Calais" has its origin in the Old English language. It is derived from the Old English word "Cales" or "Cælas", which in turn comes from the Latin "Calesium". "Calesium" itself is believed to have been derived from the Celtic word "kāl", meaning "hard" or "strong". Over time, the name evolved from "Cales" to "Calais" and became associated with the town in northern France, which bears the same name today.
