8. The Dominican Republic and Haiti

Border: Massacre River
Area: 376 km*
Est. Gross Domestic Product: $33 billion (Haiti) / $226 billion (Dominican Republic)*
More than merely political boundaries, the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic is clearly drawn into the very topography. Part of this border is named after a historical war, but the Massacre River offers a story of environmental divergence today.

Dominican Republic and Haiti Copyright: Fran Afonso/Microsoft
Aerial pictures show a striking contrast between the deforested expanse of Haiti and the lush trees on the Dominican side. The stark differences in the two countries’ environments and socioeconomic conditions are highlighted by this graphic distinction.