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In c. 220
B.C., under Qin Shi Huang, sections of earlier
fortifications were joined together to form a united
defense system against invasions from the north.
Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty
(1368-1644), when the Great Wall became the world¡¯s
largest military structure. Its historic and
strategic importance is matched only by its
architectural significance.
¡ª¡ªWHC,UNESCO |
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The
Great Wall, symbolizing China¡¯s ancient civilization, known as
one of the 7 great wonders in the world, is the only man-made
project on earth that is visible to the naked-eyes of
astronauts. It extends more than 300 kilometers from end to end,
and with its mea-derings and loops the full extent of the
project measures nearly 6000 kilometers. According to rough
calculation, the amount of bricks and rock used to build the
wall would have been enough to build a wall 5 meters high and 1
meter thick around the world.
 It
was first built in Warring States Period(476-221B.C.) by various
conflicting states along their borders for protecting against
each other. In 221 B.C., The first emperor in Chinese
history, Qingshihuang united the 7 states as one and issued an
order to reinforce and linked together the walls originally
built by the other states. Historical records show that about 1
million people,1/5th of China¡¯s population at the time, were
involved in the project which took more than 10 years. It was
called ¡°Wan Li Chang Cheng¡± at the time when it finished ,which
means ¡°10 Thousand-Li-Long-Wall¡±. From then on the Great Wall
played a significant role in protecting the economic and
cultural developments in the central plain area of China.
It is listed by the Chinese Government as one of the historical
monuments to be preserved. |
