The
greatest landmark in China, in fact in the world, the Great Wall, is in
fact 2,500 kilometres longer than originally estimated, according to
the principal conclusions of a group of investigators, who had spent 2
years studying every minute detail of this patrimonial work of art of
humanity. Reputed to be the only man-made structure clearly visible from
the air.
Up till very recently, one heard from travel guides or brochures that the Great Wall extends at a length of more than 5,000 kilometres. A figure based on historic documents in cartographic references. Now, the result of the studies by scientists, had permitted to discover the exact length of this amazing work. This more precise calculation was possible thanks to the most modern technology, carried out by scientists under the direction of the Department of Patrimonial of Culture and the State Department of Geography & Maps. They were able to discover sections of mountains and deserts up to now not aware of.
The Great wall is in fact 6,400 kilometres (4,000 miles) in length, but stretches to over 6,700 kilometres (4,160 miles) in total. Together with all it's branches it stretches for 8,851.8 kilometres (5,500.3 miles) in total. It was at one time guarded by more than 1 million people. It has been calculated that 2 to 3 million Chinese died as part of the century long project of building this wall. An alarming hair-raising fact.
They have also found that the Great Wall is threatened much more than they thought before, by the climatic changes and the construction of infrastructure, according to the China Daily. They reckon that the construction of motorways, economical development projects and the meteorological conditions could provoke the definite disappearance of some stretches of the Wall. To avoid that happening, China had started several years ago taking measures to protect this most valuable monument. Unfortunately it's feared that it's almost impossible to avoid the erosion of the passage of time.
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