Bizarre Borders
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Jammu and Kashmir
The British occupied India in the 19th century and constructed a system of government through regional tyrants, which led to the formation of Jammu and Kashmir. The ruler, Maharaja Hari Singh, was Hindu, and the majority of the people in the state were Muslim, causing heavy tension. In 1947, as the British left the subcontinent,…
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Gibraltar
Though it may not seem like it at first, five countries exist in the Iberian Peninsula. France, Andorra, Spain, and Portugal are the ones you can see at first glance, but hidden in the shadows is the United Kingdom. This small plot of land exists on the southern tip of Spain and is named Gibraltar.…
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The War in Vietnam
One of the few remaining communist nations of the world, Vietnam’s post-World War II history shapes its route to the rise of communism. Vietnam lies in the heart of Southeast Asia and boasts a population of just under 100 million, making it the 15th most populated country. Cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City…
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USA and Canada’s Border Uniqueness
The USA and Canada are two powerhouses sharing the longest border at 5525 miles. At one point in history, Canada was a part of the oh-so-great British Empire, which meant the USA and Britain would negotiate their boundaries again. They established the Oregon Treaty, which extended the border along the 49th parallel until the Strait…
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Bir Tawil
Colonization is a gateway to bizarre borders, and this edition of Bizzare Borders is no different from the rest. Amid the Sahara Desert lies a small piece of land named Bir Tawil. Bordering Northern Sudan and Southern Egypt, this isolated territory has a curious case. Why haven’t you ever heard of this country? That’s because…
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The Koreas
The most heavily militarized border in the world lies between two similar yet completely different countries, North and South Korea. The Korean peninsula is no stranger to conflict, as, since the beginning of empires, Korea has had numerous disagreements and wars with its neighbors. Now, the Korean Empire boasts two separate countries with appalling differences.…
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Hong Kong and Macau
One of the most controversial countries in the world currently is China. But controversy is nothing new to this powerful, historic nation. China has been at the forefront of controversy for centuries. Recently, some of their most impactful controversies have been in Hong Kong and Macau. Hong Kong is an area in Southern China known…
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Baarle Nassau & Baarle Hertog
The world consists of 193 UN-recognized countries and many bizarre borders. Colonization, limited knowledge, and geopolitical changes heavily influence why some of these borders are so wacky. The curious towns of Baarle-Hertog and Baarle Nassau make up one of the weirdest border situations in Europe or even the world. Baarle-Hertog is a small Belgian municipality…
All Things Geography 