Research Center
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Great Wall of China
During the reign of Emperor Shih Huang Ti 20 of the Ch'in
dynasty, the Chinese built a defensive wall across much of
northern China. Some local walls were probably in place already,
and the new wall connected those existing segments. The Great
Wall was completed in about 204 BC, it stretched some 1900 km
(1200 mi).
One last Image of the Great Wall of China at night!!!
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Although the Great Wall was partially successful in warding off
invaders, the cost of the wall and other military projects led to
unrest across China. The rebellions that followed toppled the
Ch'in dynasty. The Great Wall, ran from Qinhuangdao on the gulf
of Bo Hai on the east to the vicinity of Gaotai (Kao-t'ai), Gansu
(Kansu) Province, on the west, with an inner wall running
southward from the vicinity of Beijing almost to Handan
(Han-tan). The largest portion of the wall was erected by
Shihuangdi (Shih-huang-ti), first emperor of the Qin (Ch'in)
dynasty, as a defense against raids by nomadic peoples.
Systematic work on the wall was begun about 221 BC, after
Shihuangdi had united China under his rule, and it was finished
about 204 BC. 
Small sections of
the wall were 
probably already in existence, but Shihuangdi is
supposed to have had some 1900 km (nearly 1200 mi) of the wall
erected during his reign. In succeeding centuries, chiefly during
the period of the Ming dynasty (AD 1368-1644), the Great Wall was
repaired and extended. The fortification finally reached a length
of about 2400 km (about 1500 mi), following the course of rivers
instead of bridging them and conforming to the contours of the
mountains and valleys in its path. The wall is built of earth and
stone, faced with brick in the eastern parts. It is from 4.6 to
9.1 m (15 to 30 ft) thick at the base (about 6 m/20 ft on the
average) and tapers to some 3.7 m (12 ft) at the top. The height
averages 7.6 m (25 ft) exclusive of the crenellated parapets.
Watchtowers about 12 m (40 ft) in height are placed at intervals
of approximately 180 m (approximately 200 yd). Several hundred
kilometers of the Great Wall remain intact in the eastern
reaches. It is said to be the only artificially created object
visible from the moon.
