|
The Great Wall of China was built over 2,000
years ago, by Qin Shi Huangdi, the first emperor of China during the
Qin (Ch'in) Dynasty (221 B.C - 206 B.C.). In Chinese the wall is
called "Wan-Li Qang-Qeng" which means 10,000-Li Long Wall (10,000 Li
= about 5,000 km).
After subjugating and uniting China from seven Warring States, the
emperor connected and extended four old fortification walls along
the north of China that originated about 700 B.C. (over 2500 years
ago). Armies were stationed along the wall as a first line of
defense against the invading nomadic Hsiung Nu tribes north of China
(the
Huns). Signal fires from the Wall provided early warning of an
attack.
The Great Wall is one of the largest building construction projects
ever completed. It stretches across the mountains of northern China,
winding north and northwest of
Beijing. It is constructed of masonry, rocks and packed-earth.
It was over 5,000 km (=10,000 Li) long. Its thickness ranged from
about 4.5 to 9 meters (15 to 30 feet) and was up to 7.5 meters (25
feet) tall.
During the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Great Wall was enlarged to
6,400 kilometers (4,000 miles) and renovated over a 200 year period,
with watch-towers and cannons added.
The Great Wall can be seen from
Earth orbit, but, contrary to legend, is not visible from the
moon, according to astronauts Neil Armstrong, Jim Lovell, and Jim
Irwin.
|
|
| |
