Here’s where it gets playful. Some experts say the border is actually 1,969 miles because of tiny adjustments in the river’s path. Others use satellite data and get 1,954 miles, which is the official version.
It’s like arguing over whether a pizza is 14 inches or 14.1 inches. Either way, you’re still getting pizza—and you’re still getting a very long border.
Oh, and the border includes four US states: California, Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. Mexico’s side has six states: Baja California, Sonora, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, and Tamaulipas. So it’s basically a game of “who has more neighbors?” (Mexico wins, 6 to 4.)
The Border Fence (Or Wall, Or Boosted Fence)
You might have heard about the border wall. Well, about 700 miles of the border have some kind of fencing or barrier. The rest is patrolled by cameras, drones, and some very dedicated border agents.
The fence isn’t one thing, either. It’s a mix of old steel, mesh, concrete, and even sections made from leftover military landing mats. One part is literally called the “bollard wall”—which sounds like a medieval dungeon but is just really strong fencing.
Map Us And Mexico Border
And get this: some parts of the border have no fence at all, just a thin line of rocks or a dry riverbed. You could theoretically step from one country to the other without breaking a sweat. (Please don’t. Customs agents have zero sense of humor about that.)
