Embark on a fascinating journey to explore the world’s most extraordinary borders! From towering natural dividers to boundaries with no walls, fences, or even checkpoints, these borders tell stories of harmony and division. In some places, nature has done what humans couldn’t—drawing lines that define nations in breathtaking ways.
India – Nepal
Looking at the Mahakali River, which forms a natural border between India and Nepal, you’ll see that the two countries also share other natural borders. These include the Kosi and Gandak Rivers. However, not all borders are defined by rivers.
China – Nepal
Another unique border of Nepal runs through the peak of Mount Everest. This border between Nepal and China (Tibet Autonomous Region) features the world’s highest border crossing. The southern slope of Everest is in Nepal, while the northern slope is in China’s Tibet Autonomous Region.
Morocco – Algeria
The Morocco-Algeria border is about 1,900 kilometres long and spans the northwestern part of the Sahara Desert. The border is made up of deserts, mountains, and plateaus. Due to tensions over the Western Sahara issue, the border has been closed since 1994.
Malaysia – Indonesia
The border between Malaysia and Indonesia might surprise you. As you can see, this is a house! The courtyard, terrace, living room, and bedroom are located within the Indonesian state of North Kalimantan, in the village of Aji Kuning, Sebatik Subdistrict. However, the living room, dining room, and kitchen are in neighbouring Malaysia. Discovered in 2016, the house quickly became popular, but its owners, the Mangapara and Hasida couple, no longer live there. Over time, the house has turned into a tourist attraction.
Italy – Vatican
The land border between Italy and the Vatican, which became independent following the 1929 Lateran Treaty, is 3.2 kilometers long. The Vatican City is located within Rome and is the smallest independent state in the world.
Guatemala – Mexico
Another border separated not by walls but by water is the Guatemala-Mexico border! The left side of the border belongs to Guatemala, while the right side is the Lagunas de Montebello National Park in Mexico.
Belgium – Netherlands
Perhaps one of the most interesting borders separating two countries is the Belgium-Netherlands border! This border is quite complex and intertwined. In Belgium, which declared independence from the Netherlands in 1831, the borders are marked by lines in the middle of streets. In some towns, residents can switch countries with just one step: the side marked with ‘B’ is Belgium, and the side marked with ‘NL’ is the Netherlands! Some borders even pass through houses and buildings, meaning different rules and regulations can apply to neighboring businesses and homes.
Argentina – Paraguay – Brazil
Welcome to the Paraná River! At the confluence of the Iguazu and Paraná Rivers, countries are separated. Before this confluence, the Iguazu Falls are formed, creating a breathtaking landscape where Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil meet!
Mexico – USA
The Mexico-United States border is the most crossed globally, with about 350 million legal crossings annually. It is also the 10th longest border separating two countries globally, totalling 3,145 kilometers. The border, marked by fences and walls in some places, is frequently in the news due to issues like illegal immigration and smuggling.
China – Macau
Next is the ‘Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge,’ the longest sea bridge in the world. The bridge is 55 kilometers long, with 32 kilometers built over the sea. This makes it about 20 times longer than the famous Golden Gate Bridge and connects Macau, a Special Administrative Region of China, to mainland China.
