Top5 Amazing Strangest Borders In The World That Will Shock You

Borders are meant to separate countries, but some are confusing or bizarre. This article discusses some of the strangest borders that include towns split between nations and unique spots like libraries spanning countries. It invites readers to discover locations in two countries. So let’s begin.

5) Four Corners

One of the strangest borders is The Four Corners, the only place in the United States where four states—Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah—meet at one point. This unique site attracts many tourists who wish to stand in four states at once. The border was established in 1863, but modern GPS shows the actual meeting point is about 550 feet away from the official marker. The area also features beautiful desert landscapes, Native American reservations, and historical sites like Mesa Verde National Park.

4) Tumen River

One of the strangest borders is The Tumen River, forms a border where China, North Korea, and Russia meet, creating a highly tense geopolitical area. It is a common escape route for North Koreans fleeing their country. This narrow river marks a significant political divide; China and Russia enforce strict border controls, while North Korea’s side is heavily guarded with fences and watchtowers. Few people visit due to security and diplomatic restrictions, making it an eerie and intense flashpoint due to the stark contrast between North Korea’s isolation and its neighbors’ modernity.

3) Cooch Behar

One of the strangest borders is Cooch Behar. This border between India and Bangladesh has been very complex, with over 160 enclaves before 2015. This meant people had to cross multiple international borders just to go to work or visit neighbors. Some enclaves were inside other enclaves, leading to legal confusion for residents. In 2015, a land swap agreement was signed, simplifying the border and exchanging over 50,000 citizens. However, parts of this unusual border system still remain today.

2) Mount Everest

One of the strangest borders is Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world, has a border that runs through its summit, meaning climbers are in both Nepal and China simultaneously. This situation has caused a dispute over who controls the peak. Climbers can ascend from either side, but they face different rules and challenges. Nepal’s route is more popular but riskier, while China has stricter controls, including a checkpoint at base camp. Nepal gains from tourism by issuing many climbing permits amid territorial disagreements.

1) Bir Tawil

One of the strangest borders is Bir Tawil, a 2,600-kilometer stretch of desert between Egypt and Sudan that is unclaimed by either country, creating a unique situation known as terra nullius, or no man’s land. This arose from a colonial-era border dispute, as Egypt claims a resource-rich area called the Halib triangle while Sudan has a different border claim. Neither country wants Bir Tawil, leading to its official status as unowned. Adventurers have tried to claim it, including an American who declared it the kingdom of North Sudan for his daughter in 2014, but it remains an undesirable location.