International Borders: 10 Notable Borders

International Borders: 10 Notable Borders

From mountains to libraries, we take a look at some of the most extraordinary international borders found around the world

Over the past few years, we've seen an impressive collection of new websites, blogs, and social media accounts dedicated to "travel porn." They are filled with large, expansive images of fairytale lands and dangerous abysses.

Sometimes, as in this incredible piece about Hong Kong's architectural density, they depict urban decay or suffocating poverty - always gilded through the photographer's lens.

At Atlas & Boots we've always wanted to find the right balance between travel porn and deeper content; the guy who provided some previously unknown knowledge or insight.

We're taking advantage of the current downtime to update some old content and came across this post about unusual international borders from around the world. First released in 2014, we think it's just as impressive today.

1. Nepal/China

This list wouldn't be complete without a mention of Mount Everest. The international border between Nepal and China runs all the way across this iconic mountain and over the exact summit point, making it the highest international border in the world.

alt="Eight-thousander Everest">DreamtimeThe Everest massif on the border between Nepal and China

Everest can be climbed from either side, but is more commonly attempted from the Nepalese side, which has better infrastructure and more experienced Sherpas to support aspiring summiteers.

2. Haiti / Dominican Republic

During colonial times, Haiti had a population seven times larger than its neighbor. Today the two countries are more or less on par (10 million in Haiti versus 9 million in the Dominican Republic), but half the size of its neighbor, Haiti has a much higher population density.

This, combined with low rainfall and sparse laws, led to rapid deforestation on the Haitian side.

alt="Deforestation on the border between Haiti (left) and the Dominican Republic (right)">NASA/CC 2.0Deforestation on the border between Haiti (left) and the Dominican Republic (right)

In 2014, the Haitian government pledged to double the country's forest cover by 2016, currently at a precarious 2%, one of the lowest rates in the world. Despite some skepticism, hopes are high that the campaign will turn the tide on centuries of humiliation.

3. USA / Canada

The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is located in both Stanstead, Quebec (Canada) and Derby Line, Vermont (USA). A large black line cuts through the middle, marking one of the most unusual international borders between countries.

alt="Haskell library boundary line">CC 2.0The Haskell Free Library and Opera House is located in both Canada and the USA

Built in 1904, the library was deliberately built on the border by American sawmill owner Carlos Haskell and his Canadian wife Martha Stewart Haskell to ensure availability to customers of both nationalities.

In total there are three roads that cross the border. Although security was tightened after 9/11, residents can still cross international borders by visiting the library.

4. Alaska / Russia

Sarah Palin's apocryphal quote ("I can see Russia from my house") was most likely inspired by the Diomede Islands. What the hapless Republican actually said was: “They are our immediate neighbors, and you can actually see Russia from… an island in Alaska.”

By the way, she's right. The Diomede Islands – just 3.8 km (2.4 miles) apart – lie on either side of the US-Russia border. The large Diomede Island belongs to Russia, while the small one belongs to the American state of Alaska.

alt="Alaska-Russia international border">NASA/Public DomainThe distance between the two countries is only 3.8 km

The most interesting thing is that the border coincides with the International Date Line. So when Americans look across to the neighboring island, they're not just looking at another country, they're looking into the future. Despite the short distance, if it's 9 a.m. on Little Diomede on Saturday, it's 6 a.m. on Big Diomede on Sunday.

5. Ethiopia / Somaliland

This flimsy piece of rope marks the border between Ethiopia and Somaliland, an autonomous region of Somalia. The dilapidated barrier in the village of Wado Makhil has a more relaxed approach to customs, archetypal of several remote African border posts.

alt="International border between Ethiopia and Somaliland">Adam Pervez / Fair UseA piece of rope marks the border between Ethiopia and Somaliland

Peter, who crossed the international border between Tanzania and Kenya in 2010, told me that he had a similar experience on the way back from Kili: "I arrived by bus at a dusty outpost and just strolled into the no man's land between the two countries. I bought a visa before entering Kenya and was amused to see that they had simply stamped it with 'Peter' without any other details.”

6. North Korea / South Korea

This satellite image clearly shows the international boundaries between South Korea and its isolated neighbor. North Korea lies in the dark, its capital Pyongyang one of the few places with electricity.

alt="The Korean international border seen from space">NASA/Public DomainThe Korean international border seen from space

The lights at the top of the image represent cities in China, while the light line in the middle marks the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone). It is said that nighttime lighting is an indicator of economic prosperity.

Accordingly, the North Koreans live in practical poverty. After the Arab Spring, South Koreans reportedly sent balloons across the border to inform their suffering neighbors of the protests. One hopes for a similar revolution, but in one of the most militarized countries in the world that is most likely impossible.

7. Sweden / Norway

One of the few couples on this list that actually like each other, Sweden and Norway share this stunning international border. With snow-covered trees on both sides, the route stretches over 1,000 miles, making it the longest border in either country.

alt=“Norway Sweden international border”>Haverd DalgravSnowmobilers at the Swedish-Norwegian border

photographerHavard Dalgrav posted a similar image on Reddit in 2012 and received over 1,000 comments. He says in the thread: "The funny part is that driving a snowmobile for fun is illegal in Norway, but legal in Sweden. So we're literally walking a very fine line here..."

8. Papua New Guinea / Indonesia

From a distance, Papua New Guinea–Indonesia is striking in its simplicity: a straight line running directly from north to south. Look closer and you'll notice what looks like a small bite mark from Indonesia.

alt="International border between Papua New Guinea and Indonesia">Google MapsNot that easy

This bite is a bend in the Fly River that deviates to the west before settling back into a straight line. The anomaly is said to be the result of headhunting (and not the LinkedIn variety).

In 1893 the area was awash with real headhunting. The British, who controlled the southeastern quarter, found it difficult to act because of the unclear border at the time.

The problem was solved by an agreement that moved the border eastward, allowing British powers to patrol much further without having to cross international borders. The change is all the more remarkable because it has become the continental boundary between Asia and Oceania.

9. Mexico / USA

The border between Mexico and the United States usually conjures up images of desperate Mexicans climbing over a fence to start a better life in a prosperous country. Or worse, pictures of Donald Trump!

alt="International borders between Mexico and the USA on the Pacific coast">ROSARITO TV/SHUTTERSTOCKThe Mexican-American border on Tijuana Beach

What we less often imagine are the gentle waters where the border ends.

This barrier, nestled between Imperial Beach in California and Tijuana Beach in Mexico, is designed to prevent would-be migrants from entering the U.S. during low tide. It extends 90 meters into the Pacific Ocean and is occasionally used as a fence during friendly international beach volleyball matches.

10. Bangladesh / India

If you saw this picture of a ship shipping ships a few years ago, you might find it easier to process: Dahala Khagrabari is an Indian enclave within a Bangladeshi enclave within an Indian enclave in Bangladesh.

alt=“Dahala Khagrabari Border”>CC 2.0Say goodbye to one of the strangest international borders

At 7,000 square meters, it's the only counter-counter enclave in the world, meaning if you drove straight through, you'd be driving through Bangladesh, India, Bangladesh, India, Bangladesh, India, Bangladesh.

Legend has it that the enclaves are the result of a series of chess games between the Maharaja of Cooch Behar and the Faujdar of Rangpur, who played villages instead of money. Academics say it was the result of peace treaties in 1711 and 1713 between the Cooch Behar Kingdom and the Mughal Empire.

What's poignant about the area is that the enclaves have been left in a state of abandonment with little access to public services. Residents cannot leave because they have neither passports nor the means to get them, and the two governments have so far chosen to avoid the logistical quagmire despite their vows.

UPDATE: In 2015, Dahala Khagrabari was ceded to Bangladesh.

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Main image: ROSARITO TV/Shutterstock

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