What is the 17th parallel?

The 17th parallel is a line of latitude that crosses through Vietnam. It is well-known for its historical significance during the Vietnam War.

After the defeat of the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the Geneva Accords were signed which temporarily divided Vietnam into two regions – the Communist-controlled north and the anti-Communist south. The 17th parallel was chosen as the demarcation line between the two regions, with the north being known as North Vietnam and the south as South Vietnam.

The demilitarized zone (DMZ) was established along the 17th parallel as a buffer zone between the two regions. However, the division was supposed to be temporary, with a nationwide election scheduled to reunify the country in 1956. However, the election never took place, leading to the escalation of the Vietnam War.

The 17th parallel later lost its significance as the war progressed and eventually ended with the fall of Saigon in 1975. Today, the line still exists as a historical marker of the division between North and South Vietnam during the war.