While many people think a 9.7-meter bridge in North America is the shortest, there is a tiny footbridge in Europe that is only about 3.2 meters long!
For a long time, people thought the shortest bridge connecting two countries was the one on Zavikon Island, which is about 9.7 meters (32 feet) long. But there is a smaller one that holds the actual record!
On the border between New York (USA) and Ontario (Canada), there are two islands connected by a small wooden bridge. Tourist boats often tell visitors that the big island is in Canada and the small one is in the US. However, maps show that both islands are actually in Canada! Even though it's a great story, it isn't officially an international bridge.
The true champion is located in Europe, connecting the village of El Marco in Spain to the town of Arronches in Portugal. This tiny wooden footbridge is only about 3.2 meters (10.5 feet) long! It crosses a small stream called the Abrilongo.
This bridge is so small that you can walk from one country to another in just three or four steps. In the past, people used it to smuggle coffee or sugar between the two villages. Today, it's a peaceful spot where you can stand with one foot in Spain and the other in Portugal at the same time!
While the 9.7-meter bridge at Zavikon Island is famous, the real "Shortest International Bridge" is the El Marco bridge between Spain and Portugal. At just 3.2 meters long, it's barely longer than a large bed!
