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Between which two countries is the world's shortest international bridge?
Funded by the European Union, a little bridge links the Spanish village of El Marco with the Portuguese village of Várzea Grande. Given its petite size, the bridge is largely for pedestrians, not automobiles, though two-wheeled vehicles may use it as well.
The title of “World’s Shortest International Bridge” is often erroneously awarded to the bridge that spans the United States - Canada border on Zavikon Island. The Portugal - Spain bridge is at least 13 feet (4 metres) shorter than its North American counterpart. It is a small footbridge that measures just 3.2 meters in length (10.4 feet). It is a bridge over the Arroyo Abrilongo river and in the warmer months the river is so narrow that it is possible to jump across it without needing to use the footbridge.
Even before ‘Schengen’ came into being (Schengen removed border checks between most European Union member states including Spain and Portugal), locals from either side still crossed the river on a makeshift bridge made from planks. Smuggling between the two countries was common. The Portuguese sold the Spanish coffee and towels while the Spanish sold knives and wine in return.
The removal of border checks meant that the bridge could be official and so, during the 90s, handrails were added to make it safer. The local council on the Portugal side decided to build something more permanent and with European Union funding the bridge was built in 2008.
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