International boundaries are essential geographical markers that define political or legal jurisdictions like countries and territories. The creation and demarcation of these boundaries are referred to as boundary delimitation. Some boundaries are heavily guarded, while others are more open, especially within areas of free movement like the European Union. Understanding these international boundaries is crucial for exams like the UPSC, where they form a part of the Geography syllabus. Below is an overview of significant international boundary lines around the world.
Important International Boundary Lines Across the World
Important international boundary lines define political and legal separations between countries. Key lines include the 38th Parallel (dividing North and South Korea), the 49th Parallel (between the USA and Canada), and the McMahon Line (between India and China). These boundaries, such as the Durand Line and the Oder-Neisse Line, play crucial roles in global geopolitics and are vital for understanding historical and current international relations.
List of Important International Boundary Lines
International boundary lines are important markers that show where countries meet. They affect how countries interact and share land. Examples include the 38th Parallel, which separates North and South Korea, and the 49th Parallel, which divides the USA and Canada.
Here is the list of important International Boundary Lines in India and the World:
| Name of Line/ Boundary | Between | Description |
| 17th Parallel | South Vietnam and North Vietnam | Divided North and South Vietnam based on the 1954 Geneva Accords. Became irrelevant after Vietnam’s unification in 1976. |
| 20th Parallel | Libya and Sudan | Located at 20°N latitude, it marks the border between Libya and Sudan |
| 22nd Parallel | Egypt and Sudan | Marks a major part of the Egypt-Sudan border, located at 22°N latitude. |
| 25th Parallel | Mauritania and Mali | Marks the northern part of the border between Mali and Mauritania. |
| 31st Parallel | Iran and Iraq | Located at 31°N latitude, it marks the border between Iraq and Iran, and also the border between Louisiana and Mississippi in the US. |
| 38th Parallel | South Korea and North Korea | Used to demarcate the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea. |
| 49th Parallel | USA and Canada | Located at 49°N latitude, it forms the border between the northern USA (excluding Alaska) and Canada. |
| Durand Line | Pakistan and Afghanistan | Delimited in 1893 by Sir Mortimer Durand. Afghanistan does not recognize it. |
| Hindenburg Line | Poland and Germany | A German defensive line from World War I, made irrelevant by the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. |
| McMohan Line | China and India | Drawn by Sir Henry McMahon in 1914. China disputes its status, but it’s the de facto border between India and China. |
| Maginot Line | Germany and France | A French defensive line before World War II, made obsolete by the German invasion. |
| Mannerheim Line | Russia and Finland | Built by Finland as a defense against the Soviet Union during World War II. |
| Oder-Neisse Line | Poland and Germany | Runs along the Oder and Lusatian Neisse rivers, marking the Polish-German border as per the Potsdam Conference. Recognized in 1990. |
| Radcliff Line | India and Pakistan | Demarcated by Sir Cyril Radcliffe during the Partition of India in 1947. It includes present-day India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. |
| Siegfried Line | France and Germany | An extension of the Hindenburg Line, built by Germany in the 1930s as a defensive line. |
| Blue Line | Lebanon and Israel | UN-published border demarcation from June 2000, to verify Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon. |
| Green Line/ Attila Line/ UN Buffer Zone | Republic of Cyprus and Turkish Cyprus | A demilitarized zone patrolled by the UN, established in 1964 and extended in 1974 after a ceasefire. |
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