The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a buffer zone that separates North Korea and South Korea. Established in 1953 after the Korean War, it stretches approximately 250 kilometers (160 miles) across the Korean Peninsula. The DMZ is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) wide and is heavily fortified, with military presence on both sides. Despite its name, the DMZ is one of the most militarized areas in the world. It serves as a barrier to prevent conflict and is also a unique ecological zone, home to various wildlife. The area is monitored by the United Nations and remains a symbol of the ongoing tensions between the two Koreas.