Ever wish you could travel to some of the coolest places in the world? Well, get your travel bucket list ready and list down some new wonders to visit. Prepare to have your mind blown away as these places will (almost) bring you to two countries at once. Yup, we’re talking about tiny islands to borders that you can cross through a zipline. Here are the 10 amazing international borders you must visit in this lifetime.
10. The Border You Can Zipline Across (Spain and Portugal)
Want to ride the coolest zipline in the world? Head over to the Guadiana River and cross the Spain to Portugal zipline. It’s the Limitezero zipline, which is the world’s first and only cross-border zipline. It takes thrill-seekers flying 720 meters across the river at a speed of up to 80 km/h. It’s a one-way trip from Sanlúcar de Guadiana, Spain, to Alcoutim, Portugal, which is a cool bucket list addition.
9. A Border Visible From Space (Haiti and Dominican Republic)
That’s right, the border that separates Haiti and the Dominican Republic is seen from space. How come? Well, the Dominican Republic side is lush and green, while the Haitian side is brown due to deforestation. It’s a sad result of the difference in laws and enforcement between the two countries’ forest preservation.
8. World’s Shortest Border (Spain and Morocco)
The Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera is a Spanish enclave on the Moroccan coast, which holds the title in the Guinness World Record of the shortest land border on Earth. It features an 85-meter-long border that is shorter than a football field. It was originally a pirate-infested island, but a 1934 storm filled the channel with sand, where it connected Morocco and creating the short border.
7. The Border of Light (India and Pakistan)
When you view it at night, the border between India and Pakistan becomes illuminated. This 2,900-kilometer line of security floodlights is so bright that it becomes visible from space thanks to its distinct orange line. This lighting is created to prevent sm*ggling and arms tr*fficking. Another unique feature is the daily Wagah-Attari border ceremony, which is a theatrical and patriotic show of military showmanship where spectators gather on both sides to watch the performance.
6. The Highest Border in the World (China and Nepal)
Posts and fences aren’t needed to border China and Nepal. What separates the two countries is the summit of Mount Everest, which is the highest point on Earth. That’s 8,848 meters or 29,029 feet, which becomes the world’s highest international border. The line runs at the summit, where climbers who survive can be in two countries at once.
5. The Tense Border (South Korea and North Korea)
The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) features a 250-kilometer-long and 4-kilometer-wide strip of land that serves as the border between North and South Korea. Seemingly, they’re the same country, but they’re recognized as two different countries due to a dark history, leading to their separation. Still, it’s a haven for wildlife as several endangered species thrive because it’s a human-free zone.
4. The Most Complicated Border (Belgium and The Netherlands)
The Baarle-Nassau from the Netherlands and Baarle-Hertog in Belgium are towns with the most complex border situations. Yup, it’s a border where a patchwork of land from the Netherlands has pieces of Belgium in it. Meanwhile, it’s the same for the Belgian part of the land. It runs through streets, gardens, and even buildings that are identifiable with markings of white crosses. You can literally have the best of both worlds by simply sitting at a cafe.
3. Bike Path Border (Belgium and Germany)
The Vennbahn is a former railway line that stretches 125 kilometers long as a bike path. It’s made with old railway tracks, which are in Belgian territory, but cuts through parts of German land. Yup, it means you can be cycling in Belgium while the fields beside you are in Germany. Historically, it’s a result of the Treaty of Versailles.
2. The Island That Swaps Countries (France and Spain)
Pheasant Island is a tiny and uninhabited island located in the Bidasoa River. One interesting feature is that it changes nationality every six months. For half the year, from February 1st to July 31st, it’s a territory of Spain. But for the other half, it’s located in France. This is a peaceful arrangement known as the condominium and has been in practice for over 350 years since the signing of the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659.
1. Border of Yesterday and Tomorrow (USA and Russia)
If you want something mind-blowing, then there’s the Diomede Islands located in the Bering Strait. It’s separated by only 2.4 miles of water, but they exist on two different days. The Little Diomede is a United States territory, while the Big Diomede is in Russia. What’s amazing about this border is that the International Date Line runs in between, which shows a 21-hour time difference. As the strait freezes in winter, it’s possible to walk from one day to the next.