5 secret borders you didn't know about

Borders define where one country ends and another begins. In the world we live in today, this is not always the case. There are a number of countries that secretly reside in another country. We decided to show these places to you.

5 PHOTOS

1. San Marino.

The Republic of San Marino is a mountainous country surrounded by Italy. It is the 5th smallest country in the world and 3rd in Europe. The country has a rich history and is considered one of the oldest republics in the world. The hilly landscape of San Marino and the classic old European streets and buildings create a great atmosphere.

2. Lesotho.

There is a small country called Lesotho, located in a much larger country - South Africa. Lesotho has a population of 2 million and is a member of the United Nations. It is one of three countries in Africa that is ruled by a king (the others are Morocco and Swaziland). Two-thirds of the country is covered by mountains, the height of which varies from 2200 to 3000 meters.

3. Kaliningrad region.

There is a small region sandwiched between Poland and Lithuania right on the Baltic Sea. Logically, it should be a European state, probably belonging to the Baltics. But, logic can be deceiving. Kaliningrad belongs to Russia. It was cut off when the Soviet Union collapsed. For most of its history, Kaliningrad was predominantly German.

4. Gibraltar.

There is a tiny piece of land on the edge of Spain that is not Spain. Gibraltar belongs to the United Kingdom although it has amazing weather throughout the year. The area is so small that the road to Gibraltar is closed every time a plane lands at the airport. What for? Because the road is a runway.

5. Melilla and Ceuta.

Melilla and Ceuta are two Spanish cities that share the border with Morocco and are located on the northern coast of Africa. Both cities were military and trading points connecting Europe with Africa. Residents now enjoy free shopping and a limited degree of self-government.

You will be fascinated by the rich mix of cultures, languages, religions, and races. It is the only official European presence in Africa.