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Great Wall of China

Definition

The Great Wall of China is a series of fortifications made of stone, brick, tamped earth, wood, and other materials. It was built along an east-to-west line across the historical northern borders of China to protect the Chinese states and empires against invasions and raids.

Analogy

Think about the Great Wall as your home's security system. Just like how your security system protects your house from intruders, the Great Wall was designed to protect ancient China from invaders.

Related terms

Barrier Defense: A type of defense that uses physical obstacles (like walls or mountains) to prevent enemy movement. This is what the Great Wall served as for ancient China.

Cultural Landscape: This refers to a geographic area that has been shaped by human activity. The Great Wall is a perfect example because it's a massive structure built by humans that has significantly impacted its surrounding landscape.

Historical Geography: This term refers to studying geographical features through a historical lens. The construction and impact of the Great Wall are often studied in this context.