Which Country Has the Longer Border: USA or Canada?

When it comes to border lengths, Canada and the United States face off with differing results depending on the context and criteria used. Understanding the geography of these two nations and their respective borders can provide valuable insights.

Overview of the Borders

The border between Canada and the United States is one of the longest international land borders in the world, stretching for approximately 5,525 miles (8,891 kilometers) from Maine to Alaska. This border includes various segments along the Great Lakes and the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, making it a complex and diverse stretch of land.

Canada-US Border: Long and Uncontested

The border between Canada and the United States is one of the longest undefended international borders in the world. Despite the potential concerns raised during the Trump presidency, no physical or significant political measures were implemented to alter this natural territorial division. The Douglas Border Crossing, located near Blaine, Washington, is just one example of the many points where travel between the two nations is facilitated.

Mexico-US Border: A Much Shorter Segment

In contrast, the border between the United States and Mexico is significantly shorter at approximately 1,954 miles (3,145 kilometers), primarily divided into the states of Texas, California, and Arizona. The majority of this border has been managed by extensive physical barriers, such as walls and fencing, albeit the specific lengths and locations vary.

The Comparative Length of Borders

To determine whether the United States or Canada has a longer border, it is necessary to consider the context. If we focus solely on the land border between the two nations, then Canada holds the title with its long, undefended international border stretching across the entire continent from east to west. However, if we include international borders for comparison, the United States has a significant number of borders with other countries.

The United States shares a very long border with Mexico, while Canada is mostly surrounded by water, with its longest undefended land border being with the United States. In fact, Canada shares numerous smaller borders with other nations such as Denmark, which is a mere 21.1 kilometers (13.1 miles) long, located in Labrador, Canada.

Identical Border Lengths?

It's fascinating to note that, by the most bizarre of coincidences, the lengths of the border segments between Canada and the United States are almost identical when divided by land. This fact is often cited humorously, exemplifying the amicable and often unchallenged nature of their shared border.

The Verdict

In summary, if the focus is on the international land border between the United States and Canada, then Canada's long, uninterrupted border gives it the advantage. However, if considering the total border lengths including all international borders, the United States surpasses Canada due to its extensive borders with various other nations. The longer border of the United States is attributed to its size and extent of land, necessitating borders with more countries, particularly in the contiguous United States.

Canada, on the other hand, benefits from its geographical position, surrounded by vast oceans, resulting in longer land borders only where it shares territory with its neighbor to the south.