Canada-U.S. Border
The border between the United States and Canada is officially known as the “International Boundary” or just the “Canada-U.S. Border”. It is the longest international border in the world.
The Canada-United States border passes through
the villages of Stanstead in Quebec, Canada, and Derby line in Vermont, US. It
has split many houses and streets. So people are cooking their food in one
country and eating it in another!
Canusa Avenue is particularly interesting.
Homes on the South side of Canusa are in Vermont whereas those on the north
side are in Quebec. The residents have to inform the Customs Authorities before
they cross the street!
The border also passes through the Haskell Free
Library and Opera House in Derby Line which was commissioned by local
philanthropist Martha Haskell and her son Horace Stewart Haskell. They
deliberately built it on the international border so that citizens of both
countries could enjoy the library services.
The Haskell Free Library has a line on the
floor that marks the border between the US and Canada. So when you walk through
the front door, you are in the US. But if you reach the circulation desk, you
are in Canada. And if you sit on the couch, you are back in the US!
Similarly, the stage of the Opera house lies in
Canada while the seats lie in the United States! There are three official crossings between Stanstead and Derby line. The residents have to inform Border Patrol Authorities every time they cross the border.
