The United States borders two countries: the northern boundary with Canada and the southern one with Mexico. The borders are significant, not only with regard to their lengths, but also in historical, economic, and cultural terms.
Total length of borders
The total length of the U.S. land border is approximately 7,593 miles – 12,313 kilometers – with the longest international border separating the United States from Canada and the second longest separating the U.S. from Mexico.
- Canada: 5,525 miles (8,891 kilometers) worth of boundary which includes both land and maritime boundaries.
- Mexico: The U.S.-Mexico border is approximately 1,954 miles (3,145 kilometers), which makes it the tenth longest border between two countries in the world.
The Canada-United States border
It is the longest international border, one of the most peaceful, and also the undefended border in the world.
Geographic and Historical Context
- Length: The land boundary separating Canada from the contiguous United States is about 3,987 miles about 6,416 kilometers, whereas Alaska contributes about 1,538 miles or 2,475 kilometers to this general length.
- States involved: All or part of thirteen U.S. states has this boundary: Alaska, Washington, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Eight Canadian provinces and territories are:.
- Historical treaties: The border has come into view now due to these treaties, such as the Treaty of Paris in 1783 and the refinement that has happened with the Treaty of 1908.
Characteristics of the border
The border is mixed, comprising forests, mountains, and rivers. Significantly:
- The greatest continuous extent is along the 49th parallel north for a length of about 900 miles.
- The major crossing points include Detroit-Windsor and Buffalo-Niagara Falls.
The Mexico-United States border
The U.S.-Mexico border is well documented with diverse landscaping and is the most trafficked border.
Geographical and historical background
- Length: The U.S.-Mexico border measures approximately 1,954 miles (3,145 kilometers), following various geographical features such as rivers and deserts.
- States involved: The four American states on this border are California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Correspondingly, the six Mexican states that are about these American states are Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas.
- Historical treaties: Many historical treaties have been chiseled out on this boundary, including the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo of 1848 and the Gadsden Purchase of 1854.
Characteristics of the Mexico border
The U.S.-Mexico border slices across a variety of different landscapes, from urban to desert environments.
- A large portion of it follows the Rio Grande River from El Paso to Laredo.
- San Ysidro in San Diego is marked to be one of the most hectic cross-border points in the world.
Longest parts of each border
Canada border highlights
- Longest state section: By far, Alaska contributes a distance of about 1,538 miles or 2,475 kilometers.
- Major crossings: The Detroit-Windsor crossing is one of the most busy across this border.
Mexico border highlights
- Longest state section: The longest portion of the border extends through Texas, for about 1,241 miles or 1,996 km.
- Major crossings: The El Paso-Ciudad Juárez crossing is the most favored entrance along this frontier.
The United States shares two major international borders: one with Canada, considered the longest border in the world, and another with Mexico, positioned at number ten in the world. Of these, each has different features, both formed by historic treaties and geographic features of the time.
