1. Introduction
In the world, there are a lot of points where three distinct territories meet. Like tri-point among North Korea-China-Russia, and tri-point among Bolivia-Argentina-Chile. In fact, there are 176 tri-points internationally (meaning that if we only count the point where three ‘countries’ meet). However, the four points is really rare. Today we’ll look at one of the quadripoint, Jungholz.
2. What?
First, we have to identify what the quadripoint is. Quadripoint is the point where four distinct territories meet. There are three levels in quadripoint. First, international quadripoint is a point where four countries meet. However, there is only one could-be one in the whole world, so we’ll keep that for the other time. Second, semi-international quadripoint is a point where two or three countries meet, in addition to four of their provinces or states. Jungholz is in here. Lastly, in-country quadripoint is a point where four states or provinces fully within the one country meet. US’ four corners of Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah and Canadian four corners of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Nunavut count here. In this category, there are a lot, a lot, and a lot of points that count here. So, we won’t do about that, because if we do that, the series will be infinitely. Anyway, let’s really learn about Jungholz.
3. Where? (Location)
Jungholz is located in the state of Tyrol in Austria, almost fully surrounded by Germany, except for tiny connection through Mt. Sorgschrofen. It is 7.06 km squared or about three times the size of Monaco, and it is quite big… If this area gets independent, it would become third smallest country in Europe. Which means that there are two smaller countries in Europe, Monaco and Vatican, and has 301 people living there (about the half the population of Vatican). To get to mainland Austria by road, you have to drive through Germany for about 10 minutes. That means, the only way to get to the mainland Austria within Austria is by climbing the mountain (which already a tour area).
4. Why? (History)
The history of the area is quite simple. Although this land had been middle of European history from Roman Empire to Holy Roman Empire and Austrian Empire, the creation of this weird border is from just a farmland trade. In 1342, German farmer named Hermann Haselin, sold this land to Austrian taxman, Heinz Lochpyler. By 1844 Bavarian-Austrian Border Treaty, this land had marked clearly as the part of Austro-Hungarian Empire. Of course, there were some issues about this land, however, the issues clearly disappeared in 1995 since Austria joined EU (European Union) and signed Schengen Agreement (which means that people in signed country can freely travel through other signed countries). Anyway, thanks to that, you don’t have to do complex jobs while moving on to the next country.
5. Conclusion
Today, we learned about one of the only quadripoints in Europe, Jungholz between Austria and Germany. I never thought this cool place existed. I will travel there someday. Anyway, stay tuned for more articles!!!
