Key dates in history of Calais 'Jungle'

The notorious "Jungle" migrant camp on the outskirts of the French port of Calais has for years been a staging post for migrants trying to smuggle across the Channel to Britain.

Following are key dates in the history of the sprawling settlement which on Monday was finally closed by the French authorities.

- Sangatte closes, Jungle emerges -

In 1999, the Red Cross opens the Sangatte camp near Calais port for migrants sleeping rough in and around the city.

Under pressure from Britain, which sees it as having a "pull" effect on migration, the camp is closed in 2002.

Hundreds of mainly Afghan migrants set up a camp east of Calais. They call it the Jungle.

- Jungle rebuilt -

In September 2009, the camp is demolished for the first time on the orders of then president Nicolas Sarkozy.

In early 2015, a new settlement named the New Jungle sprouts up near a state-run day centre for migrants established at the site. The camp later becomes simply known as the Jungle.

- Clashes -

From mid-2015 on, migrants attempting to board lorries or enter the Channel Tunnel frequently clash with police around the camp, which mushrooms as asylum-seekers pour into Europe.

Several migrants die attempting to climb onto lorries heading towards Britain under cover of night or trying to sneak into the Channel Tunnel.

In January 2016, the port of Calais is shut for more than three hours after dozens of migrants occupy a moored Britain-bound ferry.

- Partial demolition, wall starts -

The southern half of the Jungle camp is demolished in late February and early March. Protesting Iranian migrants sew their mouths shut. Those evicted are moved to the northern part of the camp.

Work begins in September on a four-metre (13-foot) high wall along part of the main port road, to prevent migrants climbing onto trucks.

- Camp closure -

On September 26, President Francois Hollande announces that the Jungle will be demolished and that the migrants -- estimated to number over 6,000 -- will be moved to shelters around the country.

Britain takes in over 200 unaccompanied minors seeking to be reunited with relatives or contacts across the Channel.

The operation to tear down the camp starts on October 24, with thousands of migrants bussed out to shelters nationwide. A day later work begins to demolish the shantytown.

Hollande hails the operation as a success.

On October 31, French authorities clear the last shacks, signalling the end of the camp.