15 Quirkiest Borders Between Countries
15 Quirkiest Borders Between Countries
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00:00Hey everyone, today we're checking out borders that stand out not for their straight lines
00:05or their natural demarcations, but for their unusual and sometimes whimsical characteristics.
00:11From a cafe that straddles the line between two nations, to a border that cuts through
00:15an office building dividing desks between sovereign states, I'm counting down the 15
00:20quirkiest borders in the world, starting with number 15, Attari-Wagah.
00:26Wagah, a village divided between India and Pakistan since the partition in 1947, stands
00:32as an example of the complex relationship between these two nations.
00:36Every evening, as the sun sets on the horizon, the flag ceremony unfolds with a captivating
00:41display of military pageantry.
00:44Thousands of people gather on both sides of the border, their cheering echoes across the
00:47divide.
00:48On one side, shouts of Pakistan Zindabad fill the air, while on the other side, cries of
00:54Jahind resound.
00:56While amidst the fervent chants and spirited displays, tension hangs palpably here.
01:01Mimicked threats, heated glares, and aggressive posturing evoke a sense of rivalry.
01:07As the ceremony reaches its crescendo, the soldiers engage in a final choreographed sequence
01:12marching towards each other with their purposeful strides.
01:15With loaded weapons at their side, they meet at the center, lowering their respective flags
01:20simultaneously in a symbolic gesture.
01:23For a brief moment, amid the spectacle and tension, there's a fleeting sense of camaraderie
01:27as the soldiers exchange the briefest of handshakes.
01:31Then, as quickly as it began, the gates are closed, signaling the end of the ceremony
01:35for the day.
01:37Number 14.
01:38The Slash The border between the United States and Canada
01:42stands as one of the longest in the world, spanning a remarkable 5,525 miles from Maine
01:48to Alaska.
01:50This expansive border, traversing land, sea, and untamed wilderness, is far from just an
01:54invisible line on a map.
01:56Every year, the average American taxpayer contributes half a cent to the International
02:00Boundary Commission, ensuring the border remains more than just a concept.
02:06They're funded with an annual budget of $1.4 million.
02:09The IBC undertakes the task of maintaining the border through a unique initiative known
02:14as the Slash.
02:15This treeless zone, 20 feet wide, covers a diverse array of landscapes, from narrow
02:20islands to rugged hillsides.
02:23Despite its remote locations, the Slash receives regular maintenance and attention, with laborious
02:28manual efforts conducted every six years to keep it clear.
02:32The origins of the Slash are traced back to the 1800s, when the western section of the
02:36United States-Canada border was established at the 49th parallel.
02:40In an effort to demarcate this boundary, over 8,000 markers were laid down.
02:45While this endeavor lacked the precision of modern GPS technology, it succeeded in
02:49creating a tangible reminder of the border's existence.
02:52However, the Slash is not without its quirks.
02:55Due to the limitations of cartography at the time, the border markers were often placed
02:59in a zigzag fashion, deviating from the official 49th parallel by an average of about 295 feet.
03:06This led to irregularities such as Point Roberts and the Northwest Angle, adding to the border's
03:11unique character.
03:1413.
03:15Antarctica Does anybody live in Antarctica?
03:18Well, yes and no.
03:20It's the only continent on the planet without a permanent human population, but it's instead
03:25dotted with research facilities all belonging to different nations.
03:29The continent is pretty harsh, to put it lightly, which is why it's only one of the two unclaimed
03:34landmasses in the world.
03:37While multiple countries have a presence here and may say that they've laid claim to specific
03:41regions, they've all signed the Antarctic Treaty, which basically states that none of
03:46these claims imply any sovereignty to the nations.
03:49But with that said, there's a triple overlapping region in the Northwest that Chile, Argentina,
03:55and the United Kingdom all claim, and there are two double overlapping regions in the
03:59Northwest, one between the UK and Argentina, and another between the UK and Chile.
04:05And then there's the southwest part of the continent, which is completely unclaimed.
04:09Well, Antarctica's home to some of the strangest borders in the world because they all exist
04:13in a state of limbo, being honored without truly existing.
04:18Sort of like a Schrodinger's cat of nations.
04:20But it gets even more difficult to comprehend because while America and Russia technically
04:24have no claims to the continent today, in reality they do have the right to own any
04:29land in Antarctica they want, regardless of all the claims mentioned.
04:33So does this make sense?
04:35I guess the safe answer is no, it really doesn't.
04:3912.
04:40The Siachen Glacier So do glaciers have any value?
04:44Well, the Siachen Glacier does.
04:46This one's nestled between Pakistan and India, and it's caused one of the most futile border
04:50disputes in the world.
04:52Seeing as how it's a glacier, this small patch of ice is completely uninhabited and inhospitable.
04:59It's pretty high, and nothing but snow and ice, and absolutely desolate.
05:03So when a post-colonial India and Pakistan were originally laying out their borders,
05:08they just decided to say that the border was defined somewhere on the glacier.
05:12But neither side wanted to send up any people to delineate it any further.
05:16It's as simple as that.
05:17This worked well for a time, but the peace didn't last long.
05:21Pakistan started issuing permits for people to try to climb the glacier.
05:24And upon hearing this, India immediately laid claim to the entire thing, and even sent a
05:29force of 300 troops to climb the glacier and claim the cold land, just so Pakistanis couldn't
05:35climb it.
05:36Naturally, Pakistan had to respond, and so the country set up its own troops to try to
05:40forcefully claim some of the land itself, and the result has been a constant back-and-forth
05:45between the nations for decades.
05:47But all of this came at a cold cost, because the temperature mixed with the extreme elevation
05:52makes for one dangerous combo.
05:5411.
05:55Haider, Alaska Haider, Alaska, occupies a unique position
06:01as the geographically easternmost and southernmost town in Alaska, reachable by car.
06:07Yet it remains isolated from the rest of the state's road network.
06:11This peculiar status categorizes Haider as an inaccessible district or a practical exclave,
06:17where access by wheeled traffic is only feasible through the territory of another country.
06:22The notion of inaccessible districts extends beyond Haider, finding parallels in other
06:27global locales, like Junghölz and the Kleinwassertal in Austria, accessible solely from Germany,
06:34or Ostecivis in Spain, accessible only from Andorra.
06:38These regions, defined by their geographic isolation, share a common characteristic,
06:42dependence on neighboring nations for essential services and connectivity.
06:47With a modest population of around 87 people, Haider finds itself intertwined with its Canadian
06:52counterpart, Stewart, British Columbia.
06:55Canadian services include electricity, food, and emergency assistance, and they play a
06:59vital role in sustaining Haider's livelihood.
07:02This is a symbiotic relationship that extends to commerce, with establishments in Haider
07:06accommodating both American and Canadian currency, excluding only the U.S. Post Office.
07:12The integration with Stewart, B.C. permeates various facets of daily life in Haider.
07:17Notably, the town adopts British Columbia's 250 Area Code, a testament to its close ties
07:22across the border.
07:24Furthermore, despite being located within the Alaska time zone, Haider residents synchronize
07:28their clocks with Pacific time, aligning with British Columbia's timekeeping convention.
07:3310.
07:34The Valserberg Tripoint The Valserberg, standing proudly at 1,058
07:40feet above sea level, reigns as the loftiest peak in the Netherlands.
07:44This geographical landmark, situated in the province of Limburg near the quaint town of
07:48Vals, holds a pivotal role beyond its commanding elevation.
07:53It serves as the epicenter of a unique convergence of national borders, marking the tripoint
07:58where Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands intersect.
08:02Such a significant junction is dubbed Drielandpunt in Dutch, Drielanderich in German, and Trois-Frontières
08:09in French.
08:10Historically, this geographical nexus even boasted a greater complexity, once serving
08:15as a quadripoint where the territories of the Netherlands, Belgium, Neutral Morznet,
08:20and Prussia converged.
08:22Over time, geopolitical shifts and territorial adjustments, including the incorporation of
08:26Saba into the Netherlands in 2010, have reshaped these borders.
08:30The Budewindstoren, an iconic landmark on the Belgian side, serves as a beacon for travelers,
08:36offering a vantage point to admire the scenery.
08:39Meanwhile, the Wilhelminatoren on the Dutch side is an example of the Queen Wilhelmina's
08:44legacy.
08:45It boasts a modern design equipped with amenities such as restaurants and forest trails.
08:50Even the names of the roads leading to this point in the Netherlands and Germany pay homage
08:54to the region's rich heritage and diverse influences.
08:589.
09:00LAKE CONSTANCE Lake Constance, known as Bodensee in German,
09:04is a remarkable natural wonder nestled in the heart of Europe.
09:08Comprising three distinct bodies of water, Upper Lake Constance, Lower Lake Constance,
09:12and the connecting Lake Rhine, this expansive aquatic marvel is situated at the northern
09:17foot of the Alps, where Germany, Switzerland, and Austria converge.
09:21Stretching across the borders of these three countries, Lake Constance has a shoreline
09:25that traverses the German states of Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, the Swiss cantons of St. Gallen,
09:31Thurgau, and Schaffenhausen, and the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.
09:35However, the precise demarcation of the national borders within the lake remains a subject
09:40of ongoing dispute.
09:41Covering a total area of about 207 square miles, when both the upper and lower lakes
09:45are considered together, Lake Constance ranks as the third-largest lake in Central Europe
09:50by area, surpassed only by the Lake Balaton and Lake Geneva.
09:54The Obersee, or Upper Lake, constitutes the larger portion of Lake Constance, encompassing
09:58an area of 183 square miles.
10:01This expanse spans over 35 miles in length and reaching a maximum depth of 824 feet at
10:07its deepest.
10:08Now, the Lower Lake, or Untersee, separated from the Obersee by the Bodenrück Peninsula,
10:13covers an area of 24 square miles.
10:16And one notable feature of Lake Constance is its connection to the Rhine River via the
10:20Sirhein, which links the Obersee to the Untersee.
10:23This vital waterway serves as a conduit for both natural ecosystems and human activities,
10:28which facilitates transportation and trade while sustaining diverse aquatic habitats.
10:348.
10:35Büssingen Enclave Büssingen am Hochrhein, often referred to
10:39simply as Büssingen, is a small exclave of Germany uniquely nestled within Switzerland.
10:46Despite being politically and legally part of Germany, it exhibits an extraordinary blend
10:50of German and Swiss influences, making it a fascinating geographical and cultural anomaly.
10:56Economically, Büssingen is aligned with Switzerland rather than Germany, and it's the only German
11:01locality that doesn't use the Euro as its official currency.
11:04Instead, Büssingen operates primarily on the Swiss franc, reflecting its economic interdependence.
11:10One of the most notable features here is its dual postal system.
11:14Residents and visitors can use both Swiss and German postal codes for sending mail,
11:18highlighting the seamless integration of services.
11:21The borders between Büssingen and Switzerland are completely open, allowing for free movement
11:26of people and goods.
11:27In a unique legal arrangement, Swiss police have the authority to arrest German citizens
11:31within the area and transport them into Switzerland, further illustrating the town's intertwined
11:36legal framework.
11:38Historically, Büssingen nearly became part of Switzerland.
11:41In 1918, a referendum showed that 96% of the residents there voted in favor of annexation
11:47by Switzerland.
11:48However, this transition didn't happen because Switzerland didn't offer any concessions in
11:52return, and Germany chose to retain its exclave.
11:56Its status as a territorial oddity has also turned it into a modest tourist attraction.
12:01The town's intriguing geographic history and the charming riverside scenery draws visitors
12:05from both Germany and the rest of the world.
12:08This dual-country identity has proven to be economically beneficial for it, enhancing
12:12its appeal and drawing a steady stream of visitors curious about its exceptional status.
12:18Moving on to number 7, Little Diomede Island.
12:22Located in the frigid waters of the Bering Strait, Alaska's Little Diomede Island, known
12:27as Ignaluk in the native language, stands as an example of human resilience in the face
12:32of extreme isolation.
12:34This remote outpost, accessible only by sea or air, is a small mesa-shaped island characterized
12:40by rocky terrain and grassy hummocks.
12:43One of the most remarkable aspects here is its proximity to Russia, with the slightly
12:47larger Big Diomede Island situated just over two miles away.
12:51The international date line bisects the two islands, creating a stark temporal divide.
12:56To the west lies Tamaro, as Big Diomede is 21 hours ahead of its Alaskan counterpart.
13:02But despite its remote location and inhospitable weather, Little Diomede Island sustains a
13:06small community of fewer than 100 residents, primarily Alaskan natives who maintain a traditional
13:11way of life.
13:12While some essential supplies are airlifted onto the island annually, the villagers rely
13:16solely on subsistence hunting and fishing, drawing upon centuries-old practices passed
13:21down through the generations.
13:24Life here on the island is characterized by simplicity and self-sufficiency.
13:28The village consists of modest homes clustered along the rocky shoreline, where residents
13:33endure winter temperatures that can plummet to a bone-chilling negative 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
13:38During the winter months, the surrounding waters freeze over and villagers could carve
13:42makeshift runways into the ice to accommodate supply planes.
13:46As the ice melts and hunting grounds disappear, the resilient inhabitants of this little island
13:50confront an uncertain future, grappling with the challenges of preserving their cultural
13:55heritage in the face of environmental upheaval.
13:586.
14:00The Northwest Angle Located in Canada lies Minnesota's peculiar
14:05gem, the Northwest Angle.
14:08With its population of a mere 119 people, this tiny enclave, affectionately dubbed the
14:13Angle by locals, stands out as a quirk in the tapestry of U.S. geography.
14:18The Angle owes its existence to a historical blunder dating back to the Treaty of Paris
14:23in 1783, when the boundaries of America were delineated with an unintentional stroke of
14:28geographic impossibility.
14:30Benjamin Franklin and his contemporaries, armed with the flawed Mitchell Map, mistakenly
14:35placed the source of the Mississippi River at the edge of the Lake of the Woods.
14:39By the time this error was rectified, the national border had been firmly established,
14:44leaving the Northwest Angle as a whimsical byproduct.
14:48Nearly 80% of the Angle is water, while the remaining land, predominantly forested, is
14:53largely held in trust by the Red Lake Indian Reservation.
14:56Accessing this remote enclave presents a logistical challenge, befitting its idiosyncratic nature.
15:02For the intrepid soul seeking a more unconventional route here, the road less traveled beckons,
15:07an overland odyssey that requires a whimsical dance between two nations.
15:12Even in the absence of human presence, the bureaucratic machinery here demands acknowledgment,
15:18with travelers obliged to initiate a ritualistic declaration via futuristic videophones nestled
15:24amidst the wilderness.
15:265.
15:28HOTEL ARBEZ Located within the village of La Cure lies
15:32the remarkable Hotel Arbez, a charming establishment that straddles the border between France and
15:37Switzerland.
15:38Often referred to as the Hotel Arbez Franco-Suisse, this marvel embodies the rich tapestry of
15:43history and diplomacy.
15:45The origins here are as fascinating as its unique location.
15:49Its inception can be traced back to the Treaty of Paris in 1783, when the boundaries of a
15:53nascent America were delineated.
15:55However, it wasn't until the Congress of Vienna that the border dispute between France
16:00and Switzerland was finally resolved.
16:03In a stroke of diplomatic finesse, maybe, the two nations agreed to a territorial exchange,
16:08paving the way for the creation of the Northwest Angle.
16:11As the ink dried on the treaty, a French citizen named Pontus seized upon the opportunity
16:15presented by the border adjustment.
16:18With astute foresight and entrepreneurial spirit, he hastily erected a three-story structure
16:23that straddled a newly demarcated boundary.
16:26This bold move gave birth to what eventually would become the iconic Hotel Arbez.
16:31Initially serving as a grocery store on the Swiss side and a pub on the French side, the
16:36hotel underwent several transformations over the years.
16:38By 1921, the building had changed hands and undergone extensive remodeling.
16:43Since then, though, it stood as a beacon of hospitality, welcoming travelers from near
16:47and far to experience its charm and cross-border allure.
16:51Beyond the architectural novelty, though, it's steeped in a rich tapestry of anecdotes
16:55and history.
16:56From its role as a clandestine meeting place during World War II to its recent adaptations
17:01to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the hotel has weathered countless storms.
17:06Today, as guests travel the halls and dine in its restaurants, they are treated to a
17:10myriad of decorative elements that pay homage to the hotel's dual identity.
17:15From the flags adorning the walls to the subtle nods to its cross-border heritage, every corner
17:20of the hotel tells a story – a story of diplomacy, ingenuity, and the enduring bond
17:25between two nations.
17:274.
17:28Peignon de Vélez de la Gomera Peignon de Vélez de la Gomera is a minuscule
17:34rock protruding from the north coast of Africa.
17:37It stands as an example of the complexities of international borders.
17:42Measuring a mere 280 feet in length, this tiny enclave holds the distinction of being
17:46home to the world's smallest national border – a curious anomaly amid Spain's vast
17:52expanse.
17:53While Spain has nearly 1,200 miles of land borders with neighboring countries like Portugal
17:58and France, its border with Morocco at Peignon de Vélez de la Gomera is a peculiar outlier.
18:05Despite its diminutive size, it has been a point of contention between Spain and Morocco
18:08since about 1564.
18:11Throughout history, Morocco has repeatedly laid claim to the territory, yet Spain has
18:15staunchly refused to relinquish its hold.
18:18Despite its barren and uninhabitable nature, this rocky outpost holds a strategic value
18:23for Spain, serving as a symbolic marker of its presence in the region.
18:27What makes it truly unique, however, is its status as the site of the world's smallest
18:31land border.
18:33This distinction, further underscored by the fact that the rocky enclave was once an island
18:37until 1934 when an earthquake transformed it into a peninsula, connecting it to the
18:43Moroccan coast and solidifying its place in international border lore.
18:47Well, presently, it's inhabited solely by Spanish troops responsible for its surveillance
18:51and defense.
18:53And despite its remote, inhospitable nature, the rocky outpost has not been immune to a
18:57lot of outside interference.
18:59In 2012, it was briefly invaded by a group seeking to assert Moroccan sovereignty, highlighting
19:05the ongoing tensions there.
19:07Accessible primarily by helicopter and featuring minimal infrastructure, this tiny enclave
19:12serves as a poignant reminder of the intricate geopolitical dynamics that shape our world.
19:183.
19:20NETHERLANDS-BELGIUM The border between the Netherlands and Belgium
19:24is not just any international boundary, it's an example of territorial demarcation and
19:30national identity.
19:32Unlike most borders, which are straightforward lines on a map, this one weaves through towns
19:37and even homes, creating a tapestry of enclaves and exclaves.
19:41Well, it's established in 1843 through the Treaty of Maastricht.
19:45This border was intended to bring peace and stability between the two neighboring countries.
19:50However, its unique geography has made it a subject of fascination.
19:54One of the most remarkable aspects of this border is its effect on the town of Baarle,
19:58which straddles both sides of the line.
20:01Here, houses are divided by the border, with some rooms in one country and others in another.
20:06Take for example the house at Lurven 2 in Baarle-Hertog and Lurven 19 in Baarle-Nassau.
20:13Its front door sits exactly on the border, prompting authorities to designate it as both
20:18Belgian and Dutch.
20:20This has resulted in some interesting legal challenges, particularly during times of conflict
20:25like World War II.
20:27During the war, the Dutch military commandeered the house, unaware of its dual nationality.
20:33When the Belgian government intervened, insisting that Dutch soldiers could sleep in Belgium
20:37but not work there, it highlighted the complexities of living on a border.
20:42Despite challenges, the house there has a rich history.
20:44It was built in the 17th century as a tavern called De Swaan, and it's witnessed centuries
20:48of change and adaptation.
20:50Today, it stands as a symbol of the relationship between the Netherlands and Belgium.
20:54It's kind of a reminder, even in the face of political and territorial disputes, that
20:58people will find a way to coexist and thrive.
21:022.
21:03Pheasant Island Pheasant Island is an uninhabited river island
21:08in the Bidasour River, located between France and Spain.
21:12The administration of the island alternates between the two nations every six months.
21:16Despite its name, there are no pheasants on the island, and the name might be a misinterpretation
21:21of a French word relating to passing or toll.
21:24The conference name likely originates from the international meetings held there, most
21:29notably the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659, which concluded with a series of
21:3424 conferences following the end of the Third Year's War.
21:38A monolith was then erected in the center of the island to commemorate the meeting.
21:42Pheasant Island is the world's smallest condominium, a territory jointly administered by two countries.
21:49In France, the position is held by the Adjunct Department Director Delegate for the Sea and
21:53Coast of the Atlantic Pyrenees and Lands, who carries the title of Viceroy of Pheasant
21:58Island, a bit of an unusual designation in the French Republic.
22:02One notable French officer with this title was Julien Viaude, better known as the writer
22:07Pierre Lotti.
22:08In practice, though, the island is administered by both mayors of the Spanish and French regions.
22:13As of January 2018, the island measured about 660 feet in length and 130 feet in width and
22:19was eroding.
22:20At low tide, the island can sometimes be reached on foot from the Spanish side.
22:24It is uninhabited and access is generally forbidden, except on Heritage Open Days.
22:29Municipal government employees visit the island every six months for maintenance, and members
22:33of the Naval Commands of San Sebastian of Spain and Bayonne of France haunt it every
22:38five days for monitoring purposes.
22:411.
22:42Devon Castle Devon Castle is situated in Devon, a borough
22:46of Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.
22:50This site has been inhabited since the Neolithic Age and has been fortified since the Bronze
22:54and Iron Age, with later occupation by Celts and Romans.
22:58It's perched on a cliff with an elevation of about 700 feet, and the castle overlooks
23:02the confluence of the Danube and Morava Rivers.
23:05Devon Castle straddles the border between Slovakia and Austria, with the Morava River
23:10and Danube forming the frontier.
23:13Before 1989, the Iron Curtain divided the area, with the castle situated just inside
23:18Slovak territory.
23:19The Maiden Tower, a tiny watchtower perched on a lone rock, is a popular subject for photographs,
23:25and it's inspired numerous legends.
23:27Inside the castle, though, visitors can encounter a complex of walls, staircases, open courtyard,
23:32and gardens in various states of decay.
23:35Its first mention in written sources likely dates back to 864 during the reign of Louis
23:40the German.
23:41It played significant defensive roles during the Great Moravian Period and was the site
23:46of a pre-Romanesque church built around 850 AD.
23:49In the 13th century, a stone castle was constructed to protect the western frontier of the Hungarian
23:54Kingdom, and over the centuries, ownership of the castle changed hand multiple times.
23:59The castle was reinforced during conflicts with the Ottoman Empire, but it lost its military
24:03importance after Hungary joined the Habsburg Monarchy, and the Ottomans were defeated.
24:08Well, Devon Castle holds a special place in Slovak national identity and its inspired
24:13romantic poets and nationalists, and its significance is reflected in its depiction on the former
24:18Czechoslovak currency and Slovak coins.
24:21Archaeological excavations at the site here have uncovered remains dating from the first
24:25century AD, including a Roman tower and evidence of prehistoric settlement, which only adds
24:31to the historical and cultural richness of Devon Castle.