From Wikipedia (March 2012): "A tripoint, trijunction, or triple point (also, if inexactly, known as a tri-border area), is a geographical point at which the borders of three countries or subnational entities meet.
[...] When on dry land, the exact tripoints are usually demarcated by the center or vertex of special (but highly various) markers or pillars. Often and increasingly such places are also the sites of sometimes extensive monumental memorials and expositions."
There are currently between 157 and about 200 international tripoints - the number depending on the exact definition. At state/province level there are several thousand all over the world.
Do not confuse them with trigpoints; this is something different.
We are primarily looking for tripoints or multipoints on national or state (province, region...) level. Places where the borders of three (or more) countries or states meet (a mix of state and national is acceptable). Historic tripoints are also welcome, but these cannot be a mix of contemporary and historic. For example, a place where a current border crosses a historic border is not what we are looking for.
Although not tripoints according to the strict definition, locations where a borderline meets the sea are welcome.
All current and historic tripoints on international and first national division level are valid. In most cases there will be some kind of "marker" on site. These "markers" are not necessarily man-made; often these are river confluences, mountain peaks or something similar. If there is really nothing at all we want some documentation to prove this is the correct location.
If the tripoint is located on a body of water, then the location of the marker is acceptable. If there is no marker, create your waymark at the closest point of permanently dry land to the tripoint.
Some examples:
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"Dreiländereck" - the tripoint of France, Germany and Switzerland
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The tripoint of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland.
(Thanks to rsc_cz)
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"Four Corners" - the world's most famous quadripoint between New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and Utah
(Thanks to Bernd das Brot Team)
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The historic tripoint of Bohemia, Bavaria and Electoral Palatinate (18th century).
(Thanks to Arogant)
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There are two additions to the above criteria:
First, while normally only national and second level borders are sought, if there is a location where five or more lower level boundaries meet (e.g. county, municipiality), these junctions will be accepted due to their rarity.
Second, locations where 2 straight borders meet at a 90 degree angle, AND there is an interesting marker or cairn, will be accepted.
| This is what we are looking for: | This border is not straight, corners along a
border line like this will not be approved. |
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Most IMPORTANT. Don't get into trouble! Don't cross, or even approach, political borders where it is illegal (or dangerous) to do so. Check, and get permission when needed.
