Border Oddities Along the 49th

[jbg]

In theory, the US-Canadian border is just that; a national border, between two very distinct an different countries. There are a number of decided oddities (link to source):

1. Point Robers, Washington (link to article);
   
2. Angle Country (link to article); ;
   
3. An opera house in Vermont that straddles the Quebec border; and
   
4. A fire department shared between Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick
   

. It is a tribute to Canadians and Americans alike that the situation does not resemble the Gaza.

Anyone know of any more oddities?

Edited December 2, 2007 by jbg

[Borg]

In theory, the US-Canadian border is just that; a national border, between two very distinct an different countries. There are a number of decided oddities (link to source):

1. Point Robers, Washington (link to article);
   
2. Angle Country (link to article); ;
   
3. An opera house in Vermont that straddles the Quebec border; and
   
4. A fire department shared between Calais, Maine and St. Stephen, New Brunswick
   

. It is a tribute to Canadians and Americans alike that the situation does not resemble the Gaza.

Anyone know of any more oddities?

Ranches that straddle the line. Neighbours in cities that have the middle of the street as the border - or their back yard fences as the border.

Borg

[August1991]

I think the perception of this is a little different in the US than it is in Canada.

Most educated Canadians know of the term "54 40 or fight" but I imagine few Americans do. The Alaska pan handle border dispute was resolved by a panel of six: three Americans, two Canadians and an Englishman who always sided with the Americans. This explains why BC has such a (relatively) short coast line. The Maine Quebec border was also subject to dispute and finally resolved largely in the US favour.

The border in Dundee, Quebec used to go through a bar/pool hall but I think the building no longer exists.

I think this is in Akwesasne which is an Indian reserve (Mohawk) that is on both sides of the Quebec/New York border:

As you browse through our site, you will see how geographically unique the Akwesasne Territory is, having an International Border running through our Territory and further to that, having the two provinces of Quebec and Ontario within the Canadian side of Akwesasne, where, the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, is the elected system government.

This area maintains an old tradition of smuggling:

The waterways and back roads through Akwesasne form one of the main channels for contraband cigarettes between Canada and the U.S. The RCMP says 20,000 cartons cross the border illegally every day.

High-speed chases across the frozen river have increased and officers have seized 35 shipments of smuggled cigarettes in the first two months of this year. That's more than three times the number of busts made over the same period in 2004.

It's become a game to some.

CBC

The border between Canada and the US is long (5000 km) but it's not the longest. The border between Kazakhstan and Russia is 7500 km and it's also undefended.

Edited December 2, 2007 by August1991

[Wilber]

A Historical Oddity

[jbg]

Most educated Canadians know of the term "54 40 or fight" but I imagine few Americans do.

I'm one not particularly educated American that knows about "54 40 or fight". Another Democrat campaign commitment not honored.

Ranches that straddle the line. Neighbours in cities that have the middle of the street as the border - or their back yard fences as the border.

Borg

How will the Northern Hemisphere Initiative (i.e. passport rules) effect these situations?

A Historical Oddity

Something's not quite "kosher" about that war.

[Leafless]

It is a tribute to Canadians and Americans alike that the situation does not resemble the Gaza.

This is only currently speaking, of course as Canada's immigration policy is not U.S. friendly.

[jbg]

This is only currently speaking, of course as Canada's immigration policy is not U.S. friendly.

I'm hoping a CPC majority can fix that particular madness.

[fellowtraveller]

Another oddity: Hyder , Alaska, which is at the very southern tip of the Alaskan Panhandle.

It adjoins Stewart BC and the only road access to Hyder is through Stewart.

Hyder had a few ramshackle bars, cafes and tourist shops, but obviously is in steep decline. Stewart is bigger and has also seen better times.

The area is jawdropping beautiful and easy to get to off the Yellowhead Highway from near Smithers, a couple of hours east of Prince Rupert.

One administrative oddity is there are no US customs entering or leaving Hyder, likely because the road ends there.. There are Canadian officials on the Canuck side, but very casual.