When you think of Spain, some things that may come up are soccer, or as they would call it futbol, flamenco dancing, and Paella. When we think of where Spain is geographically, we point directly to Europe and its influential culture on European society. Spain is transcontinental, with land in Europe and Africa. The three…
The Ottoman Empire was one of the most prominent and longest-lasting empires in history. At its height, the empire stretched from present-day Morocco to bordering Qatar. It also reached as far north as Ukraine and Hungary. Spanning about 2,000,000 square miles and with a population of, at its peak, 32 million, the Ottoman Empire’s influence…
Situated on the tiny island of Timor between the Timor and Banda Seas lies a 5800-square-mile plot of land named Timor-Leste. It’s possible you’ve never even heard of this country, as its influence isn’t very powerful on the global scene, but its rich culture and history are worth diving into. During the 16th century, the…
The Mongol Empire was the largest contiguous empire in History, encompassing, at its height, almost nine and a half million square miles of land. About 16% of the earth’s land belonged to one of the most fierce rulers of all time, Genghis Khan. His territory spanned from Japan in the east to Bulgaria in the…
The home of the Pope and the center of Catholicism. One of the most historical and majestic countries ever to exist. This tiny enclave and independent city-state lie entirely within the city of Rome. Although it’s the smallest country in the world in terms of size and population, its influence is among the best of…
Being the largest and northernmost state in the US, Alaska holds a mighty reputation. Its numerous mountain ranges, isolated islands, and beautiful landmarks make it the most bizarre state of all 50. Its territory is often disputed and leads to the uncertainty of which country is the third largest by area. In 1867, the territory…
Every country on Earth belongs to a time zone. A time zone is an area that observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes. Generally, the rule for establishing time zones branches off the line of latitude the country is within. Why is this the case? What establishes time zones? Are there…
When we think about the top presidents in American History, we tend to think of names like Lincoln, Roosevelt, and Washington. Their strong leadership and powerful policies are quite notable. But among these celebrities, there are also the hidden heroes; presidents whose accomplishments are often overlooked by the public. Let’s examine the lives and contributions…
South Africa and Lesotho are two countries located in the southernmost part of Africa. The two countries have a combined area of around 500,000 square kilometers, but one has 15 times the area of the other. South Africa’s borders fully encompass the small country of Lesotho. How did this puzzling and bizarre situation occur? Lesotho…
Armenia and Azerbaijan are two tiny former Soviet countries located between the Black and Caspian Seas in the Caucus region. These countries’ history goes way back, even before the unification of the USSR. There has since been tension continuously building for centuries. The main center of all tension comes from a region between the two…
One of the most notorious empires of all time, the German Empire went from a group of feuding states with harshly different political and religious beliefs, to the strongest country in all of Europe. The controversy of the Empire lies deep within, as it may have arguably been the country to ignite the flame in…
The Indian Subcontinent is located in South Asia consisting of India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. This article’s focus will be on the four biggest and most populated, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The diverse melting pot making up the region’s population houses around 1.7 billion people and is home…
China and Taiwan have one of the most well-known controversies in modern times. Their ongoing saga of battles has perpetuated through the 20th and 21st centuries. This edition of Bizarre Borders takes a trip over to East Asia and analyzes the controversial plot known as Taiwan. I will not go too in-depth with the analysis…
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,…
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.…
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…
New Zealand is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean and is divided into two main parts, the North Island and the South Island. New Zealand, for a long time, had barely any mammals besides those that could get there without land. Instead, there were flightless birds, and the predator-free land of New Zealand allowed…
The reign of Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte was one of great power, healthy gains, and heaps of public support. It was one of the most memorable French campaigns and was much different from the ones before him. He massively boosted France’s economy, which was a recurring problem with previous rulers. He was loved dearly by…
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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“The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.”
– St. Augustine
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