The Great Wall of China

Starting in the third century BCE, the ancient Chinese people began building fortifications around their borders to keep enemies out. These structures, over time, were joined together to form the series of structures we now know as the Great Wall of China. Stretching over 5,500 miles in total, the Great Wall stands as a reminder of the achievement and military prowess of ancient China and is recognized by the United Nations as a World Heritage Site. (UNESCO) Prior to the existence of the Great Wall as we know it, many smaller ancient fortifications existed in its place, having been built around the third century BCE along the northern border of the Chinese territory as protection from invading nomadic groups. The main portion of the wall as we know it was started by the Ming emperors starting in the 14th century CE. Using bricks and stone, the new wall was stronger than prior structures that were made of wood and packed dirt. (Rosenberg) Although numerous other civilizations had built walled cities, barriers and other fortifications, The Great Wall is easily the most recognizable and impressive example of a fortification. The massive structure snakes across the Chinese landscape, passing through nine cities and provinces. The construction of The Great Wall was one of the crowning achievements of the ancient Chinese. The Great Wall stands to this day as reminder of the military power and determination of the Chinese. Even in present times, the Great Wall is regarded as a wonder of the world due to its sheer size and beauty. Works Cited

"The Great Wall." UNESCO World Heritage Site. N.p.. Web. 23 Oct 2012.

Hoyt, Alia. "How The Great Wall of China Works." How Stuff Works. N.p.. Web. 23 Oct 2012.

Rosenberg, Matt. "Great Wall of China." About: Geography. About.com. Web. 23 Oct