The Natural Boundaries

If we look at the topographic map of the world (superimpose satellite imagery on plain maps), it seems that nature itself has fixed boundaries for various races / civilizations of mankind. Geographical features like rivers, mountains, deserts and straits often form the "natural boundaries" among these races or civilizations. These natural boundaries can both be international or within the country e.g., Punjab (Pakistan) is defined by its five rivers, Valley of Swat (Pakistan) is defined by its mountains and part of Indus river has remained a boundary between Punjab and Khyer Pukhtoonkhwa (Pakistan) for a very long time.

History shows us that conflicts arise whenever man tries to change these natural boundaries. Here are some of the natural boundaries that I picked up. Do add your own observations about natural boundaries around the world. 

The Mighty Himalyas form a natural boundary between Indian Sub-continent and China.

Himalayas

HinduKush mountains form a northern boundary between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Hindukush Mountains

Oxus River or Amu Darya forms a boundary between Afghanistan and Tajikistan (Central Asia). Formerly it served as border of Afghanistan with USSR.

Amu River

Amu Darya (Oxus River) even forms an approximate border between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.

Amu River

Amu River

Pamirs (Mountain Range) fix the western borders of China. Also the Karakoram mountains range is a natural boundary between China and Kashmir.

Pamirs

Araxus river forms a boundary between Iran and Azerbaijan (formerly with USSR). In the image the river is shown with a dotted line.

Araxus River

Bosphorus straits separate European Turkey from Asian Turkey. In other words, a natural boundary between Europe and Asia (towards South).

Bosphorus Straits

Caucasus mountains tend to fix southern Russian borders towards Georgia.

Caucasus Mountains

 

     Pyrenees mountain range form a natural boundary between Spain and France (not shown).

     Part of Rhine river serves as a border between France and Germany.

Rhine River

Ural Mountains separate European Part of Russia from its Asian Part. Therefore, it is a natural boundary between Asia and Europe (towards North).

Ural Mountains

Add: Of course, how can we forget the famous Yalu River, which forms a natural boundary between China and North Korea. Here is a modified wikipedia image,




Yalu River

Also the Amur River (not the Amu river) forms a natural  boundary between Russia and China. Here is an image,




Amur River