The Great Wall of China is a giant structure built long ago to protect China's northern borders. It took about 2,000 years to build, and is still around today. Every year, thousands of tourists travel to visit the wall.
When the Great Wall was first built, it was to keep enemies out of China. Later, the rulers used the wall to keep people from taking valuable items outside the wall.
Size
The Great Wall of China is more than three stories tall in some places. Archaeologists are learning that the wall is bigger than once thought. They now believe it is more than 5,500 miles long.
History
The wall was originally seven walls made by seven kingdoms. Later, rulers joined the smaller walls together and made the wall longer.
Materials
At first, the Great Wall was made from rocks, earth and sticks. Later on, the Chinese had better technology and started using bricks to build the wall.
Shape
The Great Wall curves across the landscape of China like a dragon, a popular Chinese mythical creature.
Space
Although some people say the Great Wall can be seen from the moon, astronauts have told us this isn't true. They have said you can see the Great Wall from Earth's orbit, however.
