Countries formed as people with common culture, folklore and language decided to unite themselves in a legal form as well. But what are borders between them anyways? Some see them as a way of separating groups, while others decided to be more creative and open-minded about all these concepts and built some amazing things to celebrate the passage from one state to another. Furthermore, nature did a good job too in this regard, offering the travelers some pretty amazing welcoming views at the entrance of a new country.
The triple frontier formed between the three South American states covered by the amazon rainforests is formed by the convergence of two rivers: the Parana River and the Iguazu River. The Tancredo Neves International bridge makes the connection between the Argentine city of Puerto Iguazú and the Brazilian Foz do Iguaçu. The La Amistad International Bridge connects Foz to Ciudad del Este. Each country also raised an obelix at the convergence of the borders, each painted in the national colors of the afferent state.
2. The border between Netherlands and Belgium, in the city of Baarle
This is where the Dutch province of North Brabant and the Belgian province of Antwerp in a bohemian rhapsody of style. Some houses and restaurants lie exactly on the borders, meaning that one day you could decide to sit at a Belgian table, while in another moment you could opt for a Dutch one, even though you’d be in the same building as the first time.
3. The border between Poland and Ukraine
Do you think there’s something fishy about the image above? Well, this is just an example of what happens at the border between Horodyszcze (Poland) and Warez (Ukraine) during the Land Art Festival, which takes place on August 23th, each year.
4. The border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, at Torkham Gate
Torkham connects Nangarhar(Afghanistan) with Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It has a history going back to thousands years ago as an important passage for Turkish caravans, silk merchants, but also powerful armies. Today it is guarded by both the local authorities and the US army.
5. The Wagah border between Pakistan and India
Sometimes regarded as “The Berlin Wall of Asia”, Wagah border impresses with the daily attraction of the evening “Beating the Retreat” ceremony, the flag raising and lowering ceremony and the infantry marches offering the travelers a feeling of charming solemnity and high patriotic fragrances from both sides.
6. The border between Norway and Sweden
This amazing border is one of the most popular destinations among the adventure-loving snowmobilers. The funny thing is that in Norway it is illegal to ride a snowmobile, unless for working purposes, while in Sweden it is allowed, regardless the reason you decide to enjoy the snow that way. More than 1000 miles of adrenaline rush among wolves and bears.
7. The border between USA and Russia, the Diomedes
Known in Russia as Gvozdev Islands, the Diomedes are two tuya-like islands located right in the middle of the Bering Strait, marking the borders between Alaska and Siberia. Sometimes they’re called the Tomorrow Island and the Yesterday Island, as they are separated by the International Date Line.
8. The border between UK and Spain, at Gibraltar
As the UK is outside EU’s Schengen Area, Gibraltar is one of the few spots in Europe where identity checks are mandatory in order to cross the border. Seen from the Spanish side, the rocky views are spectacular, which is a great thing, considering the hours you might spend in here in the queues created by the border control procedures.
9. The border between USA and Mexico
A patchwork of steel and concrete fences lines the controversial border between the USA and Mexico, passing through deserts, rivers, towns, and cities, from the Western Pacific Coast to the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the busiest borders in the world, considering the fact that each year a number of 350 million people passes through it, not to mention the 500,000 yearly illegal entrances.
10. The border between Nepal and China
Yes, that’s it, the colossal Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world actually also marks the natural border between Nepal and China. With an altitude of 8848 meters, the imposing monument of nature is definitely something can’t just pass by! It’s every professional climber’s dream to be able to go on a hiking session on the Everest Mountain, perhaps one of the biggest challenges as well. May the winds blow in your favor, adventurous travelers!