Border walls existed since ancient times, they are built to this day. Supporters claim their construction is confident that such barriers limit illegal immigration, drug smuggling and terrorism. Critics argue that walls are inefficient and too expensive. For example, today it takes from 1 to 10 million dollars to build a half-mile border wall - and that does not include the cost of maintaining the facility. As the debate about the need for these structures continues, we offer you some of the most famous walls in the history of the world.
The great Wall of China
It is the most famous frontier wall in the entire history of mankind, and also one of the largest construction projects. It is believed that its length is almost nine thousand kilometers. Its construction began in northern China in the 7th century BC and lasted for two thousand years. Up to a million workers died during construction, which gave the wall the nickname “the longest cemetery on earth”. Despite its majestic size, the wall did not help much in preventing intrusions. For example, at the beginning of the 13th century, Genghis Khan and his Mongolian army easily overcame this barrier.
According to scientists, the Great Wall of China actually served not as a defense of the state, but as a political PR.
Hadrian's Wall
This Roman barrier was built to protect northwestern Britain from the barbarians. Work began at the direction of the Roman emperor Hadrian (he reigned 117–138 AD), and 15,000 infantry took part in them. Construction lasted six years. In addition to the wall itself, towers, forts and barracks were built. Later it was extended to 40 kilometers and remained in operation until about 410 years. The wall is a prime example of the military architecture of the Roman Empire.
Great Gorgan Wall
Although this barrier in the north of Iran is not as well known as the Great Wall of China, it still lives up to its name. The object was built in 5-6 centuries of our era during the time of the Sasan dynasty and was intended to repel attacks, mainly from the Turkic peoples. The wall encircles about 70 kilometers of modern Golestan province and includes about 40 forts. In addition to the barrier, a complex system of water channels was designed to provide wall builders with water supply. The great wall of Gorgana was built of red brick, which gave her the nickname "Red Snake".
Belfast walls of the world
Although they are new in comparison with others on the list, they nevertheless deserve attention, since they challenge the current trend of building similar walls. The fact is that they are not built, but dismantled. The walls of the world (or the lines of the world) were first built in Belfast in 1969 to separate the Catholic and Protestant quarters. At that time, Northern Ireland was a hotbed of conflict between trade union activists (mostly Protestants), who wanted to remain part of Britain, and nationalists (Catholics), who sought to join the Irish Republic. As a result, about 100 walls and other barriers were erected.
In 2013, the government of Northern Ireland promised to remove all walls by 2023, and in 2016 the first “wall of peace” was destroyed.
Berlin Wall
In the epoch of the division of Germany, after about 2.5 million people fled from East Germany controlled by the Soviet Union, the government of this socialist country decided to build a wall in order to limit the defectors access to West Berlin. Construction began on the night of August 12-13, 1961. After the construction was completed, the wall was 28 miles along Berlin and 75 miles around West Berlin — only 103 miles. Despite the presence of watchtowers, firing points and mines, the wall became the scene of the widely known worldwide shoots of Germans from East Germany to West. It is believed that for the entire duration of the ban on crossing the Berlin Wall, about 5,000 people overcame it, and about 200 people died. The Berlin Wall became an outstanding symbol of the Cold War, and in 1987, US President Ronald Reagan called on Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev to "tear down this wall." Two years later, when the Soviet Union began to collapse, the wall was partially dismantled.
Trump Wall
The American-Mexican Wall or Trump Wall is perhaps the most famous barrier of the 21st century. Its construction began on September 19, 1993 and is still ongoing. The stumbling block for the Democrats and the campaign promise of US President Donald Trump, who promised to finish its construction. For these purposes, Trump demanded that the authorities allocate him up to $ 5 billion, but having met resistance from the Democrats, he blocked the work of the government, which is why many state authorities. employees could not get their salaries on time. Subsequently, Trump resumed the work of the government, but promised to finish the construction of the wall at the expense of the US Army. Will it be done - a matter of time.
