great wall of china
- history: built over centuries by various dynasties, primarily the ming dynasty, to protect against invasions.
- cultural significance: an iconic symbol of china, recognized for its architectural and engineering achievements.
- political meaning: historically served as a military defense, but today it stands as a symbol of china's rich history and cultural heritage.
berlin wall
- history: built by east germany during the cold war to prevent east berliners from fleeing to west berlin.
- cultural significance: divided families and friends for decades, symbolizing the ideological divide between east and west during the cold war.
- political meaning: the fall of the berlin wall in 1989 became a powerful symbol of the end of the cold war and the reunification of east and west germany.
western wall (wailing wall)
- history: a remnant of the ancient temple in jerusalem, a holy site for jewish worship.
- cultural significance: considered one of the holiest places in judaism, a site of prayer and pilgrimage.
- political meaning: the western wall is located in the contested city of jerusalem, making it a focal point in the israeli-palestinian conflict.
hadrian's wall
- history: built by the romans in northern england as a defensive fortification.
- cultural significance: a unesco world heritage site, showcasing roman engineering and marking the northernmost boundary of the roman empire.
- political meaning: historically separated roman britain from the lands to the north, occupied by various tribes.
dmz (korean demilitarized zone)
- history: a heavily fortified border between north and south korea established after the korean war.
- cultural significance: a tense and heavily guarded area, symbolizing the division of the korean peninsula.
- political meaning: remains a symbol of the unresolved conflict between north and south korea.
israeli west bank barrier (separation wall)
- history: built by israel to separate israeli and palestinian territories for security reasons.
- cultural significance: controversial and divisive, impacting the lives of palestinians and israelis living in the region.
- political meaning: a source of contention in the israeli-palestinian conflict, with differing perspectives on its necessity and impact.