International Border:
The area or line between two neighboring countries that separate the sovereignty of the two countries is called an international border.
For example, the Radcliffe Line is the international boundary between India and Pakistan.
Classification of International Borders:
There are two types of international borders depending on the nature of the border:
- functional or genetic classification
- physical classification
Functional or Genetic Classification of International Borders:
International orders can be classified on the basis of cultural landscape (religion, socio-cultural influence, species line, political system). based on the genetic evolution of the cultural landscape and range; The functional classification of international boundaries is further classified into the following types:
- Antecedent Boundary
- Subsequent Boundary
- Superimposed Boundary
- Relic Boundary
- Geometric Boundary
Antecedent Boundary:
Even before the development of the modern cultural landscape (human settlements, socio-cultural landscape) there were some international boundaries, these boundaries are called Antecedent Boundaries. For example, the border between the United States of America and Canada was demarcated by colonists prior to the actual existence of both countries.
The Andes Mountains separate Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia.
Features of the Antecedent Boundary:
The Antecedent Boundary is usually marked by rivers, mountains, or water bodies.
There is often no conflict or very minimal conflict on the preceding border.
The Antecedent Boundary usually does not change over time because it was marked by very strong physical barriers.
Subsequent boundary:
The Subsequent boundary is the boundary that came into existence after the existence of two cultural landscapes (human settlement, and socio-cultural).
It is formed on the basis of religious, linguistic, ethnic, cultural, and political differences.
The Subsequent boundary is marked on the line where the two cultural landscapes have the least influence.
For example,
The boundaries between India and Pakistan and the boundaries between India and Bangladesh are examples of the later boundaries.
Much controversy exists over the subsequent boundary.
Super-imposed boundary:
The Superimposed boundaries draw the boundaries between the two countries by ignoring the cultural specificity of the conquering power or the colonial power.
For example,
most of the borders of African countries that were demarcated by colonizers are not based on cultural differences, exemplifying impositional boundaries.
The border between North Korea and South Korea.
The border between India and Pakistan is also an example of a Superimposed boundary as there is not much cultural difference between the two countries, a result of British colonization.
Relic boundary:
A relic boundary is a boundary that has no significance in the present cultural landscape but is still visible. However, it was of great importance historically.
For example,
the Great Wall of China was traditionally the border between China and Mongolia.
The Berlin wall was used to separate East and West Germany.
The border between Tibet and China.
Their boundaries were of great importance in the past but they are of no importance in the present scenario.
Geometrical Boundary:
The geometric boundary is marked by a straight line, regardless of the cultural landscape.
For example,
the border between the United States and Canada.
The border between North Korea and South Korea.
Physical Classification of International Boundaries:
Some international borders are marked on the basis of natural barriers such as mountains, lakes, rivers, oceans, etc.
For example, the Himalayas Mountains are the boundary between Tibet and India.
Try to solve the following questions:
- Present a classification and characteristics of international boundaries. ( 60-62nd BPSC geography)
- सीमांत, सीमा, और बफर क्षेत्र के सन्दर्भ में अंतर्राष्ट्रीय विवादों के स्वरूप की चर्चा कीजिये।
- अंतरराष्ट्रीय सीमाओं का वर्गीकरण | अंतर्राष्ट्रीय सीमाओं के प्रकार
- Discuss the nature of the international conflicts in the context of frontiers, boundaries, and buffer zones
- Boundary and Frontier in Geography
- Classification of international boundaries | Types of international boundaries
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