Final answer:
The Strait of Dover is the strait that connects the English Channel to the North Sea, playing a crucial role in maritime navigation similar to other important straits worldwide.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strait that connects the English Channel to the North Sea is the Strait of Dover. This narrow waterway serves a vital role in international shipping and transportation, much like other crucial choke points such as the Strait of Gibraltar, which connects the Mediterranean Sea with the Atlantic Ocean and separates Europe from Africa, or the Strait of Hormuz, which links the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean.
While these straits differ in location and the bodies of water they connect, each one is an essential passageway for maritime navigation and global trade.