Bir Tawil

( arz, بير طويل, translit=Bīr Ṭawīl, lit=tall water well, ) is a area of land along the border between Egypt and Sudan, which is uninhabited and claimed by neither country. When spoken of in association with the neighbouring Halaib Triangle, it is sometimes referred to as the Triangle, despite the area's quadrilateral shape; the two "triangles" border at a quadripoint.

Its ' status results from a discrepancy between the straight political boundary between Egypt and Sudan established in 1899, and the irregular administrative boundary established in 1902. Egypt asserts the political boundary, and Sudan asserts the administrative boundary, with the result that the Triangle is claimed by both and by neither. In 2014, author Alastair Bonnett described as the only place on Earth that was habitable but was not claimed by any recognised government.

History

On 19 January 1899, an agreement between the United Kingdom and Egypt relating to the administration of Sudan defined "Soudan" as the "territories south of the 22nd parallel of latitude". It contained a provision that would give Egypt control of the Red Sea port of , but an amendment on 10 July 1899 gave Suakin to Sudan instead.

On 4 November 1902, the UK drew a separate "administrative boundary", intended to reflect the actual use of the land by the tribes in the region. was grazing land used by the tribe based near , and thus was placed under Egyptian administration from Cairo. Similarly, the Triangle to the northeast was placed under the British governor of Sudan, because its inhabitants were culturally closer to Khartoum.

Egypt claims the original border from 1899, the 22nd parallel, which would place the Triangle within Egypt and the area within Sudan. Sudan, however, claims the administrative border of 1902, which would put within Sudan, and within Egypt. As a result, both states claim and neither claims the much less valuable area, which is only a tenth the size, and has no permanent settlements or access to the sea. There is no basis in international law for either Sudan or Egypt to claim both territories, and neither nation is willing to cede . With no third state claiming the neglected area, is one of the few land areas of the world not claimed by any recognised state.

Geography

is in size. The length of its northern and southern borders are and respectively; the length of its eastern and western borders are and respectively. In the north of the area is the mountain (), with a height of . In the east is , with a height of . In the south is the (), also called .

Climate

's climate is, according to the Köppen climate classification, a very hot desert climate (Bwh). During the summer months, approximately three-quarters of the year, temperatures can exceed , while its hottest three months (June–August) can see it as high as . During the brief winters, however (December and January being its mildest months), can experience milder temperatures, with as its usual temperature peak.

Because the territory is far from the ocean (being at least away from the Red Sea), the diurnal temperature range throughout the region is large, varying from , year-round.

Claims

Due to its status as ' unclaimed territory, a number of individuals and organizations have attempted to claim as a micronation. However, none have been taken seriously by the international community, and due to the remoteness and hostile climate of the region, the vast majority of these claims have been by declarations posted online from other locations. None of these claims, or any others, have been recognized, officially or otherwise, by any government or international organization.

Population

Bir Tawil has no settled population, but members of the Ababda and Bishari tribes pass through the region.

See also

* Egypt–Sudan border
* Egypt–Sudan relations
* Halaib Triangle, an adjoining area, claimed by both Egypt and Sudan
* Wadi Halfa Salient

References

External links

Google Sightseeing – Bir Tawil TriangleInternational Boundary Study

{{Countries and territories of North Africa

Disputed territories in Africa
Egypt–Sudan border
Territorial disputes of Egypt
Territorial disputes of Sudan