The Berlin Wall is one of icon symbols and division Cold War era. This formidable structure, built to separate East and West Berlin, is a time period in itself. A question that often comes to mind is: how many miles long was the Berlin Wall? In this article, we will learn about the length of Berlin Wall and its history, its impact on Germany people and other parts of the world.

How the Berlin Wall was Built

Before I can even tell you how long the Berlin Wall is, I have to tell you how it was built. In 1961 the German Democratic Republic (GDR) decided to make a wall between East and West Berlin. The official reason was to keep East Germany from Western ideas like propaganda and espionage.

The Berlin Wall construction began from April 13, 1961. Laid first out with barbed wire fences, the barrier grew into what was a substantial structure. During the years the wall bolstered up with cement segments, watchtowers, and more security precautions.

Measuring the Berlin Wall.

The Berlin Wall itself did not form a single perfect circle around West Berlin, but snaked its way through the city, dividing East from West. About 96 miles (155 kilometers) long, the total length of the Berlin Wall. The main wall is considered, as well as secondary walls and border control structures.

The wall was of varying height and width throughout its length. In some places, it was as high as 12 feet (3.6 meters) and there were barbed wire and anti vehicle trenches. These features were so formidable and easily made escape attempts so perilous that separation of East and West Berlin became definitive.

The Impact of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall touched people in Berlin and around the world. For anyone living in East Germany, the wall was an oppressive regime, a tyranny of place which choked off their freedom and national being. The division separated families, and tore apart friends. The crossing of the wall was strictly regulated and fairly often led to harsh consequences.

The Berlin Wall also came to represent resistance, determination. However some people undertook desperate attempts to break out of the East into the West. These acts were done idomtably human spirit to climbing over the wall to digging tunnels and to reunification.

Fall of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall finally came down, November 9, 1989. This was a gigantic event for the unification of East and West Germany. The wall was the site of celebrations among thousands of people as an era came to an end and a new one began for Germany.

The reunification of a divided nation wasn’t all it entailed: the fall of the Berlin Wall also signalled the end of the Cold War. This was a key moment in the collective movement of people for change, for hope for Germany and indeed the world.

Preserving the Memory and Lessons of the Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall today can be found all over the city, scars of the past, remaining. The division, struggle for freedom and these fragments are a reminder to us all. The Berlin Wall Memorial and the East Side Gallery let visitors know about the past and ponder what unities are important.

Berlin Wall is a symbol of division, and the consequence, and the perseverance of the human soul. It is a reminder that unity can create powerful things; things of freedom.

Conclusion

One of the most well known symbols in History is the Berlin Wall, containing an approximate 96 miles (155 kilometers) stretching around which represented physical manifestations of the emotional and ethical division of East and West Berlin. If it was difficult, forcing its inhabitants to hold on hard, it was also a symbol of courage and the human will to call upon which only the most determined and capable could hang on to.

Berlin Wall reminds us all that division is dangerous and unity is important to us. Looking into its history, length and impact offers us a better insight of the human experience in a crazy period in Germany and the world.