The smallest border in the world is the land border between Spain and Morocco at Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera.
Understanding the World's Shortest Border
According to the provided information, this particular border is recognized as the shortest. It connects a small Spanish territory, Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, which is essentially a rock, with the African nation of Morocco.
Key Details
- Location: Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera
- Shared By: Spain and Morocco
- Historical Context: Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera has been a part of Spanish territory since 1564 when Admiral Pedro de Estopiñán conquered it.
- Size of the Territory: The rock itself is about 19,000 square meters in size.
This unique border exists because Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, originally an island, became a peninsula after a natural event in 1934 created a tombolo (a sandbar or spit of land) connecting it to the Moroccan mainland. This tiny strip of land forms the world's shortest international land boundary.
Here is a summary of the key facts:
- It is explicitly described as the "shortest stretch of border" in the provided reference.
- It links a Spanish rock to the mainland of Morocco.
- The rock's size is approximately 19,000 square meters.
- Spain has held the territory since 1564.
| Entity | Status | Shared Border With | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera | Spanish Sovereign Territory | Morocco | A rock linked to mainland since 1934 |
This geographical feature results in an exceptionally brief land boundary, making it a notable point of interest in international geography.
