The Confusing Borders of Lake Constance

If you're sitting on a boat in Lake Constance, are you in three countries at once? Or just in one? Does it even matter? Because strangely, it turns out there are parts of the world where no-one really minds when international borders are not just ignored, but are completely undefined.

SOURCES:
Smith, B. (2001). Fiat Objects. Topoi, 20(2), pp.131-148.

Khan, D. (2004). Die deutschen Staatsgrenzen. 1st ed. Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck.

(you can find contact details and social links there too)

[flodnak]

So in this situation, Austria (which has the shortest shore line but wants to share the lake equally) is like the guy who orders two appetizers and the biggest steak and a couple of beers, and then suggests everyone just split the check three ways; Germany is the one who regrets not asking for separate checks at the beginning and wants someone else to make the decision; and Switzerland is the one who pulls the pocket calculator out and figures out who owes what down to the penny.

[TomScottGo]

If you're wondering why my coat looks ridiculous, it's because there was about a 30mph wind blowing off the lake, and it was either freeze to death or accept a certain loss of dignity...

[DexM]

I laughed at how Wikipedia describes Germany's position: "Switzerland holds the view that the border runs through the middle of the lake, Austria is of the opinion that the contentious area belongs to all the states on its banks, which is known as a 'condominium', and Germany holds an ambiguous opinion".

[treeinthewood]

1:47 that wouldn't be a problem: In Austria, Switzerland and Germany the citizenship doesn't depend on the place of birth like in the US or UK (ius soli). A newborn on Lake Constance would simply get his / her parents' citizenship (ius sanguinis).

[ll]

when it comes to territorial disputes between countries I think "meh" is the best possible outcome we can have today.

[Mark-phcy]

Citizenship wouldn't be an issue. None of the three countries offer citiezenship to those who are born within it's borders (ius soli) but the parents' nationality (ius sangiunis)

[ImSquiggs]

I've seen enough speedruns to know that if you break a law on the center of that lake the world will glitch out and you can wrongwarp to the final boss.

[jamesfunnell]

Another fact involving this lake: the world's shortest international flight flies over this lake and lasts just 8 minutes linking Switzerland to Southern Germany. And that is something you may not have known!

[jotcw]

I grew up on the Austrian side.
Some creepy trivia: The criminal investigation department of Lindau (city on German shore) reckoned in 2012 that there are at least 95 bodies still in the lake. Due to cold water temperatures in maximum 251m depths the bodies decompose very slowly, thus not developing enough gas to create buoyancy, once they sink below 40-50m they won't come up again.

[ilovesuisse]

I’m Swiss, live on Lake Constance and i’ve never heard anyone argue about which part of the lake is theirs. Germans come across to Switzerland and we travel to Germany, no big deal.

[craggolly]

"they replaced the border with sculptures" ahh, europe.

[kilésengati]

The moment when Germany is more neutral than Switzerland. XD

[georgobergfell]

I live right there i in Constance and I must admit, that sometimes it is really funny explaining this subject to people, that don't know about this, especially americans are like "whut, how can this happen???" But I also, have to say, that your Statement is not entirely true, because in the so called "Konstanzer Trichter", the Constance bay, there in fact is a fixed borderline between Germany and Switzerland in the middle of the bay. But because nobody knows exactly where that middle is (and nobody really cares about it) it is not an issue at all. Water Police from either Country is allowed to check your license and personality anywhere on the lake and they also always work together in search and rescue missions. I am really happy about how all countries are really relaxed with the current situation.

[NJCProductions]

I can't stop but, your "eh" killed me.

[WereDictionary]

I can confirm this. Im German and whenever Im asked about the state of Lake Constance, I just reply 'meh'.

Or 'liquid'.

[MichiLetsPlay]

As a German I am confused:
Why isn't it just called "Bodensee"?

[pouncebaratheon]

Be sure to tell your mathematician friends "The boundary of Constance is variable."

[Heimbasteln]

That means that I once was in Germany, Switzerland and Austria at the same time.
But what I really like about this is that they dont fight over it. Just imagine how much better the wold would be if every territorial dispute was solved this way.

[piratecheese]

you could say it's...
not constant

[KOrbiid]

I never heard the english name for the lake...I was a bit confused for a second...