Donald Trump’s project to build a wall 15 meters (50 feets) high along more than half of the Mexican border (which measures 3,100 kilometers – 1,926 miles) is far from being any premiere. Throughout history, there were many walls which had the purpose of keeping someone out, to “protect”, “defend” or to “effectively control” the merchant goods. Below, we present you 5 of the walls that divide the world today.
1. The invisible wall between South and Nord Korea
This wall is supposed to be built along 240 kilometers (150 miles) on the border which divides the Korean Peninsula. According to North Korean authorities, its construction began in 1977 and ended in 1979. It is 8 meters (26 feets) high and 19 meters (62 feets) thick. The same officials claim that the wall is covered with soil on its south side in order to camouflage it from the eyes of the world. The existence of this wall is denied by the USA and South Korea. However, the images provided by a Russian television in 2014 are the visual confirmation that the “invisible” wall actually exists.
2. Nothern Ireland’s peace lines
These “peace lines” were built in 1969 as a temporary solution to prevent violence between British loyalists (catholic nationalists) and NICRA militants – Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (protestant unionists) who wanted to join the UK. In order to maintain the public order walls were raised in different areas of the country. Some of them were provided with gates guarded by the police. Today there are 60 walls in Nothern Ireland, most of them in the capital city of Belfast which have a total length of 34 kilometers (21 miles). They are supposed to be demolished by 2023.
3. NATO wall against terrorism
The most recent wall built is placed in Turkey across the Syrian border. It was finished in February this year. It is 900 kilometers (560 miles) long and its supposed to block Syrian refugees and ISIS troops to get into Europe. Its building started in 2014 as an attempt of NATO and EU to limit terrorist attacks across Europe.
4. Drugs wall between India and Bangladesh
Bangladesh is a well known narcotic hotspot. According to the Department of Narcotics Control in India, in 2016 were seized at the Bangladesh border 235 kilograms of heroin, 44,000 kilograms of cannabis and more than 26 million methamphetamine pills. To prevent this traffic, the Indian authorities raised a wall of 5,000 kilometers (3,100 miles). Its construction took from 1989 till 2007.
5. The great wall of China
Visible from the moon, this is probably the most famous wall in the world. It has 21,000 kilometers (13,000 miles). Built to keep Mongol invaders out of China it has turned today in one of the most visited tourist attraction all over the world. Its construction started around year 500 BC and is the most representative human structure of division between civilizations.
What is your opinion about these walls? Should they remain as they are or they should be demolished? Let us know in the comment area. Thanks!
