The construction of the Great Wall of China was primarily driven by the need for defense against invasions and raids from nomadic tribes from the north, particularly the Mongols. The wall’s origins date back to the 7th century BC, but its most famous sections were built by the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644) to protect the burgeoning Chinese states and later the unified empire. Beyond military defense, the Wall served as a means of border control, facilitating trade along the Silk Road while preventing smuggling and illegal immigration. The Great Wall symbolizes China's historical struggle for security and its monumental engineering prowess, becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site.