Fact Check: "The United States and Canada share the longest international land border."
What We Know
The claim that the United States and Canada share the longest international land border is supported by multiple sources. The border between the two countries is approximately 8,891 kilometers (5,525 miles) long, making it the longest international land border in the world (Canada–United States border). This boundary includes both land and water segments, with the land portion measuring about 5,061 kilometers (3,145 miles) (Boundary Facts). The border has been established through various treaties and agreements, including the Treaty of Paris in 1783 and the Oregon Treaty in 1846, which defined much of the current boundary (Canada–United States border).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim is robust and comes from credible sources. The Wikipedia article on the Canada–United States border provides a comprehensive overview of the border's length and historical context, confirming that it is indeed the longest in the world. Additionally, the Boundary Facts website, which is maintained by the International Boundary Commission, corroborates the total length of the border and details the land and water components.
The reliability of these sources is high. Wikipedia, while user-edited, is often well-sourced and regularly updated, particularly on topics of significant public interest like international borders. The International Boundary Commission is a governmental body responsible for maintaining the border, lending further credibility to the information presented on their website.
Contradicting evidence is minimal, and no reputable sources dispute the claim about the length of the Canada-U.S. border. Other sources, such as statistical reports from organizations like Statista, also affirm that the U.S.-Canada border is the longest international land border (Longest land borders worldwide).
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the United States and Canada share the longest international land border is true. The evidence from multiple credible sources consistently supports this assertion, detailing the border's total length and its historical establishment through treaties.