Why Do Borders Exist? The Hidden History Behind Every Map
Why are borders drawn where they are? Discover how wars, colonialism, and political decisions shaped the maps and conflicts we know today.
By Belén de Pablo
4 min read
Have you ever looked at a map and wondered: Why are the lines drawn the way they are?
Who decided where to draw those lines? It's a great question because, although borders may seem permanent, the truth is that they are simply a human creation.
The modern concept of borders emerged with the Peace of Westphalia in 1648, which established that one of the requirements for being recognized as a nation-state was having a defined territory. Why is this important? Because the Peace of Westphalia laid the foundations of the international system as we know it today, making borders a top priority for nation-states, which remain the main actors in international politics. And that is why, over the centuries, so many wars have been fought over them.
We can distinguish between natural and artificial borders. The former, as the name suggests, are defined by geographical features such as mountains, rivers, or deserts. The latter, however, are borders drawn for political reasons—a line placed on a map by someone who, more often than not, wasn't from the region and didn't understand its religious, ethnic, or cultural complexities.
A great example of the consequences of artificial borders can be found during the colonial era. At that time, the borders between colonies were drawn according to political interests rather than the actual cultural and ethnic divisions of the people living there.
So, what happened when decolonization began?
Many newly independent countries in Africa and Asia decided to keep the same borders established by their colonial rulers in order to avoid even greater conflicts. The problem was that these borders rarely reflected the identities of the people living within them.
Something similar happened in Eastern Europe after the collapse of the Soviet Union, where millions of people suddenly found themselves living in countries that didn't match their national or ethnic identity.
Natural Borders vs. Artificial Borders: What's the Difference?
ISRAEL
Can a nation—or a shared identity—exist before a state?
The Jewish people are a clear example of this. For centuries, they lived in different parts of the world without having their own sovereign state. So, how did Israel come to exist?
After World War I and the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, Britain governed Palestine under the British Mandate, where both Jewish and Arab national movements were gaining strength. Unable to contain the growing violence between the two communities, Britain referred the issue to the United Nations in 1947.
The UN proposed a partition plan that divided the territory into a Jewish state and an Arab state, while Jerusalem would become an international city administered by the United Nations.
Jewish leaders accepted the proposal, but Arab leaders rejected it, arguing that it violated the rights of the Arab majority living in the territory.
On May 14, 1948, the British Mandate officially ended, and the State of Israel declared its independence.
The following day, armies from neighboring Arab countries—including Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, and Lebanon—invaded the new state. Israel ultimately prevailed in the war and expanded its territory beyond the borders originally proposed by the UN Partition Plan.
INDIA AND PAKISTAN
You've probably heard of the Kashmir conflict, where both India and Pakistan claim the region as part of their territory. But where did this dispute begin?
In 1947, Britain left the Indian subcontinent and divided it into two independent states under the Mountbatten Plan. The new border, known as the Radcliffe Line, separated a Hindu-majority India from a Muslim-majority Pakistan.
The partition triggered one of the largest forced migrations in history, with millions of people crossing the new border in search of safety. So, what happened in Kashmir?
Kashmir had a Muslim-majority population but was ruled by a Hindu monarch, who chose to join India. This decision sparked the first Indo-Pakistani War. To this day, Kashmir remains one of the world's most disputed territories, with recurring military confrontations and growing tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors.
Three Historical Examples That Explain How Borders Are Created
The easiest way to understand how borders are actually created is by looking at history.
POLAND
Poland is a great example of how borders are never truly fixed. After World War II, its borders shifted dramatically. According to the agreements reached at the Yalta Conference, the Soviet Union kept eastern Polish territories, while Poland received former German territories in the west.
In other words, the entire country effectively moved westward.
A refugee train during the 1947 Partition of India, when the creation of India and Pakistan forced millions to leave their homes in one of the largest mass migrations in modern history.
After looking at these historical examples, we can see how cases like Israel and the partition of India and Pakistan illustrate the long-term consequences of artificial borders that ignore ethnic, religious, and cultural realities. Decisions made on maps decades ago continue to shape conflicts today.
So, why do borders exist?
Although they can sometimes be a source of conflict, borders are essential for organizing territory, governing populations, and maintaining security. They are a fundamental part of how modern states function.
But remember this: Nations may develop naturally over time, but borders are often the result of political decisions.
So the next time you look at a map, ask yourself:
Who drew these lines—and why?
The Real Lesson Behind Borders
Author: Belén de Pablo Hernández
Editor & Publisher: Lucía Lobato
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