THE GREAT WALL OF CHINA


The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic and impressive architectural feats in human history. Stretching over 21,196 kilometers (13,171 miles), it was originally built, across the northern borders, to protect Chinese states from various nomadic groups, particularly the Mongols, starting as early as the 7th century BC. The most well-known sections were constructed during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644), made of stone, brick, rammed earth (a mixture of earth, sand, gravel, and clay compacted into a load-bearing solid), wood, and other materials. It’s not a single continuous wall but a series of walls, fortifications, and watchtowers, winding through rugged terrain like mountains and deserts. Contrary to popular myth, it is not visible from space with the naked eye. NASA debunked that. Its purpose was not just defense. It also served for border control, taxation, and trade regulation along the Silk Road. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of Chinese ingenuity and resilience. Parts of it are crumbling, though—time, weather, and tourism take their toll.

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