Downland

A downland is an area of open chalk upland. This term is especially used to describe the chalk countryside in southern England. Areas of downland are often referred to as Downs.

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Downland is formed when chalk formations are raised above the surrounding rocks. The chalk slowly erodes to form characteristic rolling hills and valleys. Chalk downland formations typically have a marked scarp slope on one side, which is very steep, and a dip slope on the other, which is much shallower. Where the downs meet the sea, characteristic white chalk cliffs can be formed, such as the White cliffs of Dover.

Chalk: Chalk is a soft, white, porous form of limestone composed of the mineral calcium carbonate. It is relatively resistant to erosion and slumping compared to the clays that it is usually associated with, and so forms tall steep cliffs where chalk ridges meet the sea. Chalk hills, known as chalk downlan...

England: :For an explanation of often confusing terms like England, (Great) Britain and United Kingdom see British Isles (terminology)....

Chalk formation: The Chalk Formations of Europe are thick deposits of chalk, a soft porous white limestone, deposited in a marine environment during the upper Cretaceous period. They appear most prominently in England. The formations are divided into three parts: The Upper Chalk, the Middle Chalk, and the Lower Chal...