Which Country has the Shortest International Border?

The longest international land border in the world falls between Canada and the United States and stretches for about 8,893 km (which is 5,526 miles) but the shortest international border merely ends at 3.2 kilometers. 

This smallest land border was born in 1934 as a 85-meter land boundary due to a fierce storm around a small peninsula fortress. 

Today this border strip is also infamous as the boundary of Vatican City which is the smallest country in the world on one side. However there’s more to learn about how this border came into existence and its current geographical status. Let’s read all about the Vatican City border length hereonwards. 

The Shortest International Border Segment is between Spain and Morocco

This small border which lies between Spain and Morocco spans across 85 meters which is 3.2 in kilometers. 

It sits on a rocky fortress called Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera. In the very begining this land border was a standalone island. 

But after a disastrous storm in 1934 washed sediment into the channel that later created a permanent sandy isthmus. Isthmus is a narrow land surrounded by water on each side. 

Now Spanish soldiers guard the smallest border of the world. Interestingly no commercial roads cross this line and supplies arrive entirely by helicopter. 

Which Country has the Shortest Entire Border?

If you look at the total shared boundary between two specific countries then Botswana and Zambia win the prize. Their international border becomes the shortest with a measurement of roughly 150 meters. 

This small land border lies directly in the middle of the Zambezi River on the global map. Travelers cross this brief transit point using the Kazungula Bridge. 

Interestingly this shortest international border is also where four different countries nearly meet at this unique African water junction.  

Vatican City is the Country with the Smallest Total Border

Vatican City is the smallest country in the entire world so its international border would naturally be the smallest. This sovereign city falls entirely inside Rome Italy. 

You can easily take a walk equivalent to the country's entire border which is just 3.2 kms in less than an hour. Despite its small size millions of tourists cross this open border every single year.