In 1846 the United States of America and Canada were creating a border, the line was to be drawn along the 49th Parallel as part of the Oregon Treaty. The 49th Parallel seemed to be a good line to follow until it hit the Pacific Ocean, a small 12.65 square kilometer point seemed to be sliced away from the Canadian side at a point just south of Vancouver. The US refused to give this piece of land to Canadian and it has ever since been known as Point Roberts, a small unincorporated community of the United States of America. Point Roberts, or “The Point”, as locals call it, is virtually cut off from mainland US; the shortest access to by car is first through the Blaine US/Canada border then a 40 minute drive through Canada to another border checkpoint at Point Roberts, earning it the motto "The Ultimate Gated Community". The residents of The Point live an isolated life from the rest of America. A large majority of the residents are Canadian citizens. In the summer, population swells as Vancouver locals come for a close to home beach getaway. The Point is also used by Canadians as a shipping destination to avoid high Canadian shipping prices. It is also used for its cheaper gas and alcohol prices. This community lives hand in hand with Canada and though it has a border checkpoint, the actual border is extremely porous. Homes in Canada have their backyards facing the US with no wall or fence, and in most places along this border without previous knowledge, it is impossible to tell a border even exists at all. This is The Point.
