How long is the Great Wall of China? A history lesson on the architectural marvel.
From the pyramids in Giza to the Colosseum in Rome, there are many architectural marvels that can be found across the globe. Each has its own rich history, with several known as "Wonders of the World."
The Great Wall of China is part of that list. The extensive structure was built over millennia by various Chinese leaders in order to protect the country from northern invasion, National Geographic reports.
The Great Wall is well-known for its vast length, but exactly how long is the Great Wall of China? No need to grab a ruler, we've got the answer.
How long is the Great Wall of China?
The total length of all sections of the Great Wall is approximately 13,171 miles, according to Britannica. This includes every portion that has ever been built, including overlapping sections.
The most intact portion of the Great Wall was constructed during the Ming dynasty, which spanned from 1368 to 1644. This section covers around 5,500 miles in length, according to Britannica.
How long did it take China to build the Great Wall?
Construction on the Great Wall began in the third-century BCE under Qin Shi Huang (Shihuangdi), the first emperor of a unified China, the History Channel reports. Prior to the Qin dynasty, a series of protective walls were in place since the seventh-century BCE.
Emperor Shihuangdi, however, connected the walls into a single system, creating the beginnings of the Great Wall. From the Han to Ming dynasty, different rulers would repair the Great Wall and expand its length as a defense against attacks on China's borders.
The Great Wall we know today was constructed – starting in 1474 – under Ming rule, according to the History Channel. These portions of the Great Wall span throughout modern day Beijing, Liaoning, Hebei, among other cities.
By the Qing dynasty, the last imperial dynasty in China (from 1644 to 1911), repairs on the Great Wall slowed and its protective role lessened as Chinese rule extended into Inner Mongolia, National Geographic reports.
Today, the Great Wall is seen as a symbol of Chinese culture and history.
Can you see the Great Wall of China from space?
Despite the common myth, the Great Wall of China is not visible from space, according NASA. It would be hard to find with the human eye without high-powered lenses.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How long is the Great Wall of China? When and why it was built.
