Oddly Far: Countries With Territories Nowhere Near Them

A detail from the ancient Tabula Peutingeriana map showing a historical depiction of the Pillars of Hercules, the promontories marking the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar.

Some countries aren’t limited to their main borders. They control far-flung overseas territories or odd territories thousands of miles away. These lands often have fascinating histories, unusual governments, and quirky features that surprise even geography buffs. From a tiny rock at the tip of Spain to a French region in South America and a U.S.... Continue Reading →

June 2, 2026 0

When Borders Get Weird: Corky Political Boundaries and the History Behind Them

A detailed map showing the complex patchwork border between the Belgian municipality of Baarle-Hertog and the Dutch municipality of Baarle-Nassau, with Belgian exclaves surrounded by Dutch territory and smaller Dutch parcels inside those enclaves, illustrating the unusually interwoven political boundary in this region of Europe.

Political Borders: More Than Lines on a Map Political boundaries are often taught as fixed, logical lines on a map, but history tells a much messier story. Many of the world’s strangest borders exist because of colonial negotiations, imperial rivalries, and historical compromises that prioritized power over geography. For social studies teachers, “corky” political boundaries... Continue Reading →

May 26, 2026 0