The boundaries were made long ago to protect the countries from attacks. You might have seen different types of international boundaries: superimposed, antecedent, consequent, relic, and subsequent. So, what is a relic boundary in the present? Well, the Great Wall of China and the Berlin Wall are some examples of relic boundaries. Continue reading to know more about it.
1. What is a Relic Boundary?
Any boundary created by humans on the landscape around a kingdom to protect it, but not in use in the present time and still visible and considered essential for the cultural artifacts is a relic boundary.
They are called geometric when they are straight. Now, you know what is a relic boundary but what is its significance? They depict the history and culture of the nation; therefore, they are preserved and considered. They are evidence of the decline of civilizations and victory, which meant that the wall was no longer necessary and used. (See What is a Superimposed Boundary?)
2. Is Relic Boundary Physical or Cultural?
A relic boundary is cultural and not physical. They protected the kingdoms from attacks beyond the walls and were still visible but not in use. They represent the culture of the nation.
3. How to draw up a Relic Boundary?
A relic boundary is drawn by the archeological excavation principles, considering the shapes, sizes and features, and location of the artifacts. (See What are Some Examples of Artifacts?)
4. The Boundary Line between India and Pakistan is an example of?
The Radcliff Line is the boundary demarcation line between India and Pakistan which came into effect on 17 August 1947. It is also considered a relic boundary. Sir Cyril Radcliffe, the boundary commission’s joint-chairman for the two provinces, was the architect after whom it was named Radcliffe. (See What were the Causes and Effects of the War of 1812?)
5. 15 Examples of Relic Boundaries
Some of the examples of relic boundaries are:
- Great Wall of China: This is one of the most famous relic boundaries. It was built in ancient times to protect the empire of China from invasion. It is a series in which different rulers built different walls at different times and not a single continuous wall. Qin Dynasty rulers built the first wall over 2000 years ago. But Myng dynasty rulers built the major parts of the wall in the 14th and 15th centuries. Overall, the wall ranges over 13,000 miles. After the decline of the Ming dynasty, the wall was neglected. It is a myth that the wall is visible, but the wall fell in most parts. However, the site is still impressive and considered a world heritage site by UNESCO for tourism. (Also see What are the Seven Wonders of the World?)
- The Sumerians’ Amorite Wall: It is located in Iraq and was built by the Eannatum king to protect from Amorites.
- Xi’an Walled City: It is situated in Shaanxi, China, and was built by the Qin Dynasty.
- Hadrian’s Wall: It was built by Roman emperor Hadrian for defense. Also, this UNESCO world heritage site attracts a large number of tourists.
- Berlin Wall: The movement of people between West and East Berlin was prevented by this wall built by the German Democratic Republic.
- Checkpoint Charlie: It is located in Berlin, Germany. It separated two consequent groups and also controlled the traffic between West and East Berlin.
- Carcassonne, France: It is located in Aude, France. (See Is Hawaii in the Northern Hemisphere?)
- Dubrovnik, Croatia: It is located in Croatia. The walls also appeared in the Game of Thrones television series.
- Pingyao Walled City: It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a 12 m high wall and is famous for banks and institutions of finance.
- The Walls of Constantinople: It was built by Byzantine Emperor Constantine to protect Constantinople from wars.
- The Great Wall of Gorgan: It is located in Iran and built by Achaemenid King Darius to protect from raiders of Scythia.
- Hadrian’s Gate: It is located in Antakya city of Turkey to serve as the entrance gate to the city.4
- Great Zimbabwe: It is located in the country of Zimbabwe, made of stones and towers, acts as the kingdom’s ancient capital site, and is listed as a world heritage site by UNESCO.
6. State that has Mountain Range as a Boundary?
Alaska is a state that has a mountain range as a boundary. It is a state located in the United States and nearest to Skagway. (See Top 10 Major Mountain Ranges of the World)
7. Why is the Great Wall of China a Relic Boundary?
The Great Wall of China is a line that divides modern developments with the remains of archeology. It is a non-functional existing boundary which makes it a relic. It is a tourist site at present and a national symbol of China. It was used as a line of military defense long ago. It may not exist but still affects the present. Since what is a relic boundary is known to you, you can now consider it a relic boundary. (See What is the Absolute Location of the Philippines?)
8. Discuss Berlin Wall Relic Boundary in Brief
The relic boundary of the Berlin Wall was a concrete wall acting as a barrier that separated East Berlin from West Berlin. It also divided Berlin ideologically and physically. On 13 August 1961, the construction was begun by the GDR (German Democratic Republic). The wall restricted the freedom of movement, referred to as the Wall of Shame by the Government of Berlin.
I hope you know everything about what is a relic boundary and its types and locations. If you find it interesting and educative, share it with your friends and school teachers. (Also read What body of Water connects Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean?)
