Borders are a hot topic across the world. They often dominate international news headlines and are a major concern for nations.
The United States is home to a total of eighteen states that share a border with other countries. These include Canada, Mexico and Russia (via Alaska).
Canada
Canada is a country to the north of the United States. It is a large nation with extensive coastlines and mountains, but it also has vast wilderness areas and a harsh climate.
The border between the two countries is not patrolled by military forces, but both nations cooperate to control the movement of people and goods. The United States and Canada have a treaty that allows them to set up preclearance operations in each other’s territory, which they use when inspecting cargo or people who enter the other country via land, air, or marine.
In addition to a shared border, the United States and Canada have close ties. The two countries regularly collaborate on military operations, intelligence sharing, and joint research.
For example, in September 2001, the United States and Canada worked together on a task force called Operation Fast and Furious to combat terrorists in the Middle East and Africa. The two countries have also forged close relations in the area of law enforcement, including in the fight against drug trafficking.
A major issue of concern to Canadians is the increase in migrant entry into the country by foot, especially through unofficial points of entry such as Roxham Road, south of Montreal. Ottawa is under pressure from the province of Quebec to stop this flow of people and is seeking a new migration deal with Washington.
However, it is not clear that a new deal will be reached anytime soon and that the issue is far from resolved. According to an immigration expert who has been involved in binational negotiations, goodwill and a shared interest do not always translate into a deal.
As a result, the United States has been tightening its immigration policies and has begun to impose restrictions on travelers to Canada. It has also been making it more difficult for certain groups of immigrants to enter the United States, such as asylum seekers and Mexicans.
The United States and Canada have a 5,525-mile-long border with each other, the longest in the world that is not guarded by a military force. It runs through mountainous terrain, rural farmland, and dense forest, as well as a section of the Great Lakes and Saint Lawrence River. It also crosses the Arctic Ocean and divides some communities in the USA and Canada.
Mexico
Mexico, a nation in southern North America, shares a border with the USA on both sides of the Rio Grande. It is the world’s most populous Spanish-speaking country and has a long and deep history of relationship with the USA.
The Mexican economy is a developing market with a growing service sector. The United States is a major trade partner and many Mexicans work in the US, sending back billions of dollars each year.
After the United States and Mexico signed NAFTA, which eliminated tariffs on trade, the two countries were transformed into one of the world’s largest trading blocs, and the economy began to grow rapidly. However, the economy has been struggling with political and financial instability, and there is an ongoing threat of violence from drug cartels and gangs.
In the mid-1990s, Mexico became the center of the so-called Zapatista Movement, an anti-government guerrilla movement in Chiapas that gained national attention. The country also made major changes to its immigration laws in 1996, including the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA), which removed some of the most repressive anti-immigration policies.
There are many places in the country that can be considered unsafe for tourists, especially those who are young or female. Tourists should be aware of their surroundings at all times and should not leave their belongings unattended.
Those who are traveling alone should not leave their passports in sight. It is best to carry an ID card or travel document that contains your full name, date of birth and address.
The border between the USA and Mexico is a busy one, with more than 300 million people crossing each year at ports of entry. The border is 1,951 miles long, making it the longest in the world.
A large number of people live along the U.S.-Mexico border, and the population has been bolstered by immigrants from other countries who cross illegally in search of work in the U.S. As the situation continues to grow, many migrants are seeking asylum.
Those who attempt to cross the border are arrested, detained and sometimes sent back to their home country. As a result, many migrants end up sleeping in shelters or on the streets of the cities that border the United States. The migrant crisis has created an environment of fear for many in the Mexican cities that share the U.S.-Mexico boundary, with aid workers warning of “chaos” if the United States decides to accept more of the migrants back across the land border under Title 42.
Russia
The USA and Russia are two of the largest countries in the world. The two are separated by a border in the Bering Strait, which is 53 kilometres wide at its narrowest point. This means that Russia is much closer to the United States than many people might think.
Russia has the second-largest population in the world at 660 million. The country is also one of the most geographically diverse, with the Arctic covering a quarter of the land area.
As a result, it is prone to weather-related disasters. The country is a major exporter of natural resources and has a significant oil and gas industry, and it produces a large percentage of the world’s nuclear energy.
While the country’s political system is dominated by a conservative party that backs President Putin, the government operates with limited transparency and a high level of corruption. It is also closely entwined with powerful business magnates who receive government contracts and protection from prosecution in return for their loyalty to the regime.
However, a small number of anti-government activists and opposition parties have been allowed to operate. These groups, sometimes referred to as “nationalists,” oppose Putin’s policies and often advocate for a strong state and the national interest.
These groups include a number of independent news outlets and political organizations. They are subject to censorship and are prohibited from receiving foreign funding.
A number of other media organizations have been targeted by Russian authorities, especially those that report on protests. Some were shut down altogether.
Throughout the Putin era, international events have played a role in domestic politics. The global financial crisis and the Arab Spring, for example, led to economic stagnation and eroded support for the government.
This has left the Russian economy vulnerable to external shocks. This has prompted the government to seek more trade agreements and reduce its reliance on Western aid.
In addition, the government has sought to tighten control over civil society and increase regulation of nongovernmental organizations that receive foreign funds. Its attempts to label these organizations as “foreign agents” and curtail their ability to operate have made it difficult for Russians to maintain contact with their communities abroad.
