How are borders different? There are more differences than you think.
Some borders, even between peaceful countries, may be very different from one side to the other; Some may be downright strange.
The Colorado River is the dividing line between California and Arizona.
Both states are affected by water scarcity – but according to this photo, that's not the case. On the right is Arizona, where farmers have struggled to get water, and on the left is the undeveloped Sonoran desert on the California side.
Mexico-United States
In this 2007 photo, Mexico's densely populated Tijuana is on the right.
On the left, San Diego, California, USA.
South Korea-North Korea
This is a view of contrasting concrete slabs from 2019 representing the border between North and South Korea.
Belgium - Netherlands
Some borders are not patrolled at all: for example, the border between the Netherlands and Belgium.
In this April 2021 photo, a cyclist from the Belgian city of Baal-Heiltog crosses the marked Dutch border on a bike path.
Georgia - South Ossetia
Most United Nations Members consider South Ossetia to be part of Georgia. Some residents of South Ossetia would rather join Russia.
Until the situation is resolved, the two cows will have to socialize on either side of the border fence.
In this April 2017 photo, Georgian guards patrol the South Ossetian border.
Israeli-Palestine
This 2005 aerial photograph shows two towns near the West Bank.
At the bottom is an Israeli town, while at the top is a Palestinian town.
Germany-Poland
The island of Usedom is located at the northernmost point of Poland and Germany, dividing the two countries equally.
These border posts show the dividing line of the island's beach paths, with the Polish red and white outposts on the left and the German black, red and yellow outposts on the right.
Mexico-United States
This is a bird's-eye view of a hill in the desert crossed by a section of the U.S.-Mexico border wall near Rio de Janeiro, Colorado, Mexico, on September 19, 2022.
The wall between Mexico and the United States has also disrupted wildlife: environmentalists in both countries are determined to save the natural habitats of different species, such as cats, bears or deer, whose territories have been destroyed by disputed structures.
Belarus-Poland
The border between Poland and Belarus can be seen in this June 2022 photo, with Polish farms at the bottom and wooded Belarus at the top.
Belarus has been one of Russia's closest allies during the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. In addition to Poland, it borders Russia and Ukraine.
Ireland - Northern Ireland
There is not much contrast between the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland, or the Irish-UK border (Northern Ireland is part of the UK).
The picture shows the former customs guard station located directly on the border.
Eurasia
Beyond the borders between countries, there is a continental border that crosses Russia.
In this July 2014 photograph taken in Yekaterinburg, Russia, the monument marking the Eurasian border can be seen. Although Russia is considered a European country because most of its population is in Europe, there is also a part in Asia.
Mexicali Kalexico
The Colorado River flows into Mexico from the United States, but at the border between Calexico, California, and Mexicali, Mexico, the original path of the river was diverted by the Morelos Dam, located on the border.
The Morelos Dam in the upper left corner of the photo is one of several dams on the Colorado River that divert water for agriculture.
Italy - Vatican City
Vatican City is an independent city-state and enclave within Rome, Italy. It has operated independently of Italy since 1929 and is headed by the Pope.
In this 2020 photo, a man feeds pigeons and seagulls along the border between Italy and Vatican City.
Colombia-Venezuela
In 2015, due to heightened tensions between the two countries, the border between Colombia and Venezuela was closed to allow only some people to circulate.
The border reopened on September 25, 2022. Here is the Simón Bolivar International Bridge, with green Colombia in the foreground and densely populated Venezuela in the background.
Dominican Republic-Haiti
The Dominican Republic borders Haiti on the island of Hispaniola. A bird's-eye view of the border gate is available from the Dominican Republic side. The crowd gathered on the Haitian side.
As the Haitian government remains unstable, the Dominican Republic has cracked down on border security and closed a border market in the region.
Poland-Russia
Poland does not directly border Russia - however, there is a Russian enclave called Kaliningrad, located between Lithuania and Poland.
In this November 2022 photo, Polish servicemen walk along a newly built barbed wire fence between Kaliningrad and Viztinets, Poland.
equator
The equator is a heavier
The boundaries to be, at least symbolic. The hypothetical line is located at zero latitude and separates the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere.
In this November 2019 photo, Roger Federer and Alexander Zverev participate in a tennis exhibition match that crosses the equatorial line at a monument in Quito, Ecuador.
Finland-Norway-Sweden
Known as the Three Kingdoms of Kane, this Scandinavian landmark marks the meeting point of Finland, Norway and Sweden.
This is an example of a triangular point where three countries meet, and this triangle is the northernmost triangular point in the world.
USA-Canada
It's hard to believe that Canada and the United States ever clashed, but they did during the 1812 war.
This is the Arch of Peace as seen from Washington Bryan. It straddles the border between the United States and Canada and is covered with the flags of both countries.
Sino-Vietnamese
Waterfalls are usually the border point of a country. From here, you can see the Panyo De Tien Waterfall, which straddles the border between China and Vietnam.
The waterfall is located on the karst hills of Daxin County on the Chinese side and Trung Khanh District on the Vietnamese side.
East Germany - West Germany
From 1949 to 1990, Germany was divided into East and West.
Germany has been reunited, but on October 3, 2022, now the Day of German Unity, a piece of the former Thuringian border wall can be seen here. The wall is part of the Border Museum.
Colombia-Venezuela
This is a bird's-eye view of a container blocking the Tienditas International Bridge at the Colombian-Venezuelan border in Cucuta, Colombia, on August 8, 2022.
本初子午线
The equator is located at zero latitude and separates the northern hemisphere from the southern hemisphere, while the prime meridian is located in the town of Greenwich in London. It is located at zero longitude and separates the eastern hemisphere from the western hemisphere.
Here are two people taking a photo in front of the monument marked with an imaginary line.
China and Russia
The Sino-Russian border is a border that Western countries often focus on, as Russia has been asking China for assistance in the conflict with Ukraine.
In this photo, a train enters Russia from the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China (independent of the independent state of Mongolia).
Nepal-India
Nepal and India have relatively friendly relations, and the border between the two countries is not conspicuous.
This photograph shows the trail that travels along the border between India and Nepal. It is one of the most popular hiking trails in the world.
Brazil-Argentina
Iguazu Falls is located between Argentina and Brazil and is one of the border points between the two countries.
This photo was taken in March 2020, when the usual crowded area was completely empty due to restrictions from the COVID-19 outbreak.
Belgium - Germany - Netherlands
This photo shows another border triangle between three countries: Germany (left), the Netherlands (center), and Belgium (right).
Three points are located at the top of Vaalserberg Hill.
Nepal-China
Sometimes the border is a natural landmark.
This aerial view shows Mount Everest, the highest peak on Earth in April 2021. The Himalayas to which Mount Everest belongs are the natural border between Nepal and the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.
Those who reach the summit can cross the border between the two countries.
Iran-Iraq
Relations between Iran and Iraq went from friendly to hostile, but by 2022 the situation will be unstable.
This photo was taken on August 31, 2022, at the Shalamcheh crossing when Iran reopened its borders two days after the conflict in Baghdad led to violence.
Austria-Germany-Switzerland
Lake Constance borders Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Every year in May, the official bathing season, boats from three countries gather in the lake to form a star-shaped shape. The official bathing season of the lake lasts from May to September.
Sonora-Arizona
Yuma, Arizona has one of the most famous border walls in the United States. In 2019, the mayor of Yuma declared a state of emergency due to the high number of migrants entering the United States at its border with the Mexican state of Sonora.
Here, migrants stand in long lines to be processed there in May 2022 by U.S. border control.
Israel-Lebanon
This October 2022 photo shows the border fence separating Israel and Lebanon.
The two countries recently signed a maritime boundary agreement, a milestone in Israel's relations with Lebanon.
Austria-Hungary-Slovakia
This June 2022 photo shows another three-point monument where three countries meet: Hungary, Austria and Slovakia.
The park with these three points can be reached most easily through Austria.
France-Italy
The Alps are an important part of the border between France and Italy.
The two towns formed at this border point are Menton in France and Ventimiglia in Italy. This photo of international borders was taken in January 2022.
Guatemala-Mexico
Many migrants travel long distances to reach the U.S. border. In this October 2018 photo, thousands of Honduran migrants wait to enter from Guatemala and enter Mexico.
Migrant caravans often depart from Central America in hopes of reaching the United States.
New Mexico - Chihuahua
There is a door on the border wall at the Santa Teresa International Livestock Crossing that can be seen at the U.S.-Mexico border in Santa Teresa, New Mexico.
Cattle are usually transported from Chihuahua, Mexico, to the United States via this route.
See more striking photos of the U.S.-Mexico border here.
Argentina-Chile
The statue, Christ the Savior of the Andes, is located on the border of Argentina and Chile in the Andes.
The inscription at the bottom of the statue reads in Spanish: "These landslides turned to dust before the Chileans and Argentines broke the peace they swore to maintain at the feet of Christ the Savior." ”
Portugal-Spain
Portugal and Spain have had many conflicts in their history, but things have been calm in the last few decades.
In this 2019 photo, a couple is watching the August sunset. The Minho River in the background forms part of the border between Spain and Portugal.
Morocco-Spain
The border between Morocco and Spain is technically the Strait of Gibraltar. However, in northern Morocco there is a Spanish enclave called Melilla.
This photo of the Moroccan border was taken on June 25, 2022, days after 23 migrants were killed by a human stampede while trying to enter Europe through Melilla.
Bangladesh-India
Here, an Indian Border Security Force soldier patrols along the fence separating Bangladesh and India near Petrapole, India.
In June 2022, flooding occurred on the border, which deeply affected both countries.
Pakistan-India
India gained independence from Britain in 1947, and part of the agreement was to establish Pakistan in the north.
Pakistani Rangers stand at a Pakistan-India border post before the start of the defeated retreat ceremony during Pakistan's 75th Independence Day celebrations on August 14, 2022.
Italy-Switzerland
The much-loved Matterhorn, one of the largest peaks in the Alps, is located on the border of Italy and Switzerland, visible in the background.
However, borders have been changing due to the effects of melting glaciers due to climate change. Skiers can be seen descending the slopes here.
South Africa - Zimbabwe
There is only one border crossing between South Africa and Zimbabwe, just at the border post.
This photo shows members of the South African Defence Force patrolling the fence between Zimbabwe and South Africa in October 2020.
Austria-Slovenia
Austria and Slovenia have opened their borders since 21 December 2007.
The picture shows Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and Slovenian Foreign Minister Dmitry Rupel preparing to open the barrier to the tunnel checkpoint between the two countries.
Somalia-Ethiopia
This April 2022 photograph in Dolo, Somalia, depicts the dried up Juba River on Somalia's border with Ethiopia.
The river once flowed through both countries.
England - Scotland
England and Scotland are both part of the United Kingdom in a sense, but there is a border between the two countries.
Christian climate activists walk from Cornwall, England, to Glasgow, Scotland, in October 2021. This photo was taken on the Scottish border.
Denmark - Sweden
While borders between almost all Scandinavian countries are open, Sweden and Denmark are an exception. In January 2016, Sweden began requiring identity checks on people coming from Denmark via the Oresund bridge connecting the two countries.
The Swedish Prime Minister called for these changes to become permanent in October 2022.
Laos - Myanmar - Thailand
In this 2019 photo, the junction of Laos, Myanmar and Thailand is known as the Golden Triangle and is located at the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong rivers.
The huge Golden Buddha is located on the Thai side with Myanmar in the background and Laos on the right.
Laos - China
This aerial photograph taken on July 19, 2022 shows a Chinese medical train crossing the Laos border through the China-Laos Railway Friendship Tunnel.
The medical detachment of the Chinese People's Liberation Army has arrived in Laos to jointly carry out the "Peace Train-2022" humanitarian medical rescue joint exercise with the Lao People's Army.