© 2015-2024 JacobBogle.com

***All Google Earth files are hosted at https://sites.google.com/site/mymappingprojects/fortress-earth which is a site I operate with the sole purpose of holding the various Google Earth KMZ files.***

Map of completed countries (in blue).

STAR FORTS AROUND THE WORLD


Star forts are impressive fortifications that arose in the 15th century. They spread around the globe and hold a special place in history, as well as a special place in the hearts and minds of those with an interest in forts.


I created a special file that has every star fort I have been able to find, and, as far as I can tell, has 90% of all star forts still in existence.


So that brings me to the question, "How many star forts are there?"


The Version 2 file has 1,399 forts (up from 1,238 in Version 1) from 94 countries (up from 88), which includes traditional star forts, fortified "star" cities, and other closely related fortifications. 


Please see my post about the forts and file.


To directly download the Google Earth file, you can get it here.


​The map​ below will generally be updated more often than the downloadable Google Earth file. The map currently shows 1,735 forts from 105 countries.

Watch for updates!


​Interested in Forts & Castles? Join the conversation on Twitter using #FortressEarth or join the Facebook group!

Fortress Earth Introduction


I have always had an interest in classical fortifications and castles. I am an avid Google Earther and I came across a GE file titled "World Forts", which, based on the description, seemed to say that it had a vast number of the world's forts. However, I quickly discovered that the file didn't have but a fraction of world forts and even left out some of the most famous fortifications in history.


By this time, I had been working on mapping North Korea for 2 years, and so I was confident in my ability to locate something as obvious as a fort or artillery battery. Being the somewhat obsessive person that I am, I began to create a file that will actually have every existing fort in the world that was built after 1000 AD (or that was in use by that time even if it was built prior). I have dubbed this project "Fortress Earth"


Of course, a fort is a military instillation. For the last several thousand years, until relatively recently, the homes and palaces of national and city rulers also served a duel purpose; residential and defensive. So, I have expanded the original intent of the file to include castles that once served a very real military purpose as well as castles and palaces that, while perhaps not military in nature, were either important or otherwise impressive. 


This project will take me quite a while, but thanks to the work others have done in certain countries, I am confident that my final file will have 90% or more of global forts, but also a majority of existing castles that can be seen via satellite imagery. No doubt there will be places missing given the scope of this project, so if you know of a place I don't have marked, let me know!  


Also, check out StarForts.com! It's a great resource with detailed info on 305 (and counting) star forts around the world.


​I'd also like to thank John Baccile for sending me a file with over 140 new star forts.

Mapping Progress


***Links automatically download the country's Google Earth file. Google Earth required to view.*** 


Some of the Countries Completed:

Afghanistan - 242 forts  : Algeria - 34 forts        Andorra - N/A               : Antigua - 3 forts     Armenia - 29 forts         : Australia - 61 forts     Azores - 30 forts           : Bahamas - 3 forts​         Bahrain - 3 forts           : Belarus - 37 forts         Belgium - 378 forts       : Bermuda - 14 forts

Bhutan - 18 forts          : Brazil - 48 forts

​Burma - 43 sites           : Canada - 113 forts

Chile - 17 forts​             : Colombia - 4 forts

Cuba - 13 forts             : Cyprus - 13 forts

Domin. Rep. - 12 forts​  : Egypt - 32 forts

Estonia - 47 sites          : Finland - 101 sites

Gambia - 3 forts​           : Georgia - 35 forts

Ghana - 18 forts           : Guadeloupe - 8 forts

Haiti - 34 forts (associated article)

Honduras - 4 forts        : Indonesia - 23 forts     Iran - 74 forts              :​ Israel (article) - 31 sites  Jamaica - 15 sites        : Lebanon - 33 castles   Liechtenstein - 5 castles : Luxembourg - 67 sites Macedonia - 15 sites    : Madagascar - 9 forts    

Malaysia - 9 forts         : Malta - 188 sites            Martinique - 3 forts      : Mauritius - 7 forts          Mexico - 15 forts          : Moldova - 3 forts            Monaco - 1 castle         : Montenegro - 75 sites     Mozambique - 8 forts   : New Zealand - 19 forts

North Korea - 233 fortifications (See article on historical sites)
Norway - 66 forts          : Pakistan - 114 sites

​Puerto Rico - (counted with US)

San Marino - 1 castle    : Senegal - 6 forts

Sierra Leone - 3 forts   : Singapore - 6 forts

​Somalia - 8 forts          : ​South Africa - 16

​South Korea - 57 forts  : Sri Lanka - 26 forts

St. Lucia - 3 forts         : Suriname - 2 forts

Syria - 58 castles         : Taiwan - 59 forts          Tanzania - 8 forts         : Thailand - 34 sites

Turkey - 283 forts        : Uruguay - 6 sites

U.A.E - 5 forts             : USA (inc. Puerto Rico) - 441 sites

Uzbekistan - 90 sites   : Venezuela - 10 forts

Vietnam - 42 forts       : Zimbabwe - 4 forts

Sub-total: 3,599 completed locations*​

Plus 15,517 others


Grand Total: 19,116 fortifications marked


* "Completed" countries will be updated occasionally as new sites are found. Remember, my goal is to reach 90% prior to publication. New sites are bound to be located.