12 International Borders That Shatter Every Stereotype (13 photos)

When you think of an international border, images of heavily armed guards, trained attack dogs, barbed wire, and strict passport controls usually come to mind. But that is not always the case! Between many countries, the border is merely a symbolic line drawn across a sidewalk or running down a quiet country road.







1. Germany – Czech Republic (© abload)

The stunning border between Germany and the Czech Republic. Just look at that view!





2. Norway – Sweden (© sooziq)

This is what a ski slope right on the border between Norway and Sweden looks like.



3. Poland – Ukraine (© novostey)

These giant fish spanning Poland and Ukraine symbolize the arbitrary nature of national borders. They were created by Polish artist Jarosław Koziara.



4. Sweden – Finland (© imgur)

You can play a round of golf right on the border between Sweden and Finland.



5. Argentina – Brazil – Paraguay (© redaccion)

Argentina is on the left, Brazil on the right, and Paraguay in the middle.



6. Brazil – Uruguay (© photobucket)

Here, the border between the two countries runs right down the sidewalk. Brazil is on the left, Uruguay on the right.



7. Canada – USA (© uainfo)

The US–Canada border runs through the town of Derby Line—cutting directly through buildings.



8. Belgium – Netherlands (© wikimedia)

Step into a cafe in the Netherlands, and step out of it in Belgium.



9. Nepal – China (© tourprestige)

The border between Nepal and China passes directly over Mount Everest.



10. Germany – Netherlands (© synduimages)

The border between Germany and the Netherlands is marked inside the Eurode Business Center by a metal strip. Even though mailboxes sit on opposite sides of the line just feet apart, a letter sent between them takes a full week to arrive.



11. 404 – USA (© Ira Block)

This island sits 35 km away from both Chukotka and Alaska. Despite the short distance, the time difference between them is 21 hours.



12. China – Mongolia (© asiarussia)

Meanwhile, on the border between China and Mongolia, it's business as usual: just two giant kissing dinosaurs.