Meg--Great+Wall+of+China

The Great Wall of China

There are many wonders in the world. The pyramid of Egypt, Mount Rushmore, and the Statue of Liberty are some of these, but one of the most interesting is the Great Wall of China. The Great Wall stretches about 4,000 miles along the Northern border of China. It stands thirty feet tall and about 25 feet wide. (The Great Wall of China) It is also made up of five different sections. (“The Great Wall of China”) That is why it is one of the most popular tourist attractions.

When and Why The Wall began in the fifth century B.C. (Monuments) It was built to keep out invaders and barbarians. (The Great Wall of China) The first parts of the wall were built by villages. Then, the first Chinese emperor decided to build it all together as one. (The Great Wall of China) It kept Chinese people in and also kept invaders at bay. (Monuments)

Materials When the first wall was constructed, there weren’t any wheelbarrows. (The Great Wall of China) They couldn’t use power tools or big machinery. (“The Great Wall”) When they worked on the wall, they would use whatever material was closest to the area they were building. (“The Great Wall”) Some sections were made of stone and others were made of brick. (“The Great Wall”)

Workers People believed that many people were forced to help build the wall. (“The Great Wall”) Experts say there were more than a million forced. (“The Great Wall”) And, legend says that many died while on the job. (The Great Wall of China) Some probably just died of exhaustion. Others died from being buried underneath heavy materials or the wall itself. (“ The Great Wall”)

Present and Future The Wall served as China’s border for hundreds of years. (“The Great Wall”) It also helped bring all of the states of China together. (“The Great Wall”) Experts say it could be gone in twenty years. This would disappoint a lot of people. It’s one of China’s most popular tourist attractions. (“The Great Wall Of China”)

The Great Wall of China is one of the world’s most interesting sights. Its size is impressive and its appearance changes due to the many materials used for construction. The history of the wall includes many people from those who started the project to the many along the way who helped with the completion. Many lost their lives working on the wall. The wall has provided protection and has become a great tourist attraction. It is predicted that the Wall may not last. That would be a great historical loss.

Works Cited Dutemple, Lesley. The Great Wall of China. Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Co., 2003. Brooks, Laura. Monuments. New York: Smithmark Publishers,1997. “The Great Wall of China.” Phoebe Grants Fascinating Stories of World Cultures 2005. “The Great Wall.” Treasures from China.