Limits between territories are not the exclusivity of human beings, as most animals do have territorial behaviours. However, political frontiers are what makes us different. Political borders reflect the evolution of populations, identities, cultures and political forces over time. They are artificial lines socially and politically built that move along eras, ideologies and dominant powers. They are not just about keeping competitors away or making sure to have enough hunting and fishing resources to survive (which is what an animal territory is about). Political borders are also symbolic constructions people rely on to build their identity as a group (today we’d say, as a nation).

[Read the second part of this article: What are Borders 2/2]

Borders tell us about the way we divided our world. Understanding them is understanding history, economy, politics and geography at a very global scale.

Let’s begin with 5 simple statements about borders.

1. Borders move