Canal boats are often referred to as narrowboats, barges or longboats. The term narrowboat stems from the narrow design of the boats, which are often used for cargo transport on the narrow canals of England and Wales. Barges are larger boats typically used for commercial transport of goods on rivers and canals. Longboats, on the other hand, were used for transport on the British canals and rivers in the past but have now become a popular leisure boating option. In France, canal boats are known as peniches, while in Italy they are referred to as chiatta or barcone. Regardless of the name, canal boats remain a popular way to explore the waterways and enjoy the slow pace of life.