There are still a few places on Earth that are not claimed by any country.
As of March 23rd, the world population reached 8,010,493,300 people. According to projections by the United Nations, the global population could hit 9 billion by 2037.
Between southern Egypt and northern Sudan lies one of the last remaining unclaimed lands in the world. (Photo: Shutterstock).
Despite the rapidly growing human population, there are still lands that do not belong to any nation or individual. These areas are referred to as “Terra nullius” – a Latin term that means “land belonging to no one.”
Bir Tawil: A Nomadic Territory
Bir Tawil is a 2,060 square kilometer area located near the border between Egypt and Sudan, and to date, no country has claimed sovereignty over it.
Essentially, Bir Tawil is a desolate desert land where temperatures can soar up to 45⁰C. The harsh conditions result in a population of exactly zero.
Nevertheless, nomadic tribes, such as the Ababda people, frequently pass through Bir Tawil.
The Ababda nomadic tribes often pass through Bir Tawil, but they do not reside there (Photo: Getty).
Several countries have attempted to lay claim to this land, but none of these efforts have been recognized internationally.
For instance, in 2014, Jeremiah Heaton, an American, tried to claim this area for himself. He called it the “Kingdom of Northern Sudan” and proclaimed himself a self-styled king.
It’s no surprise that his claim was not recognized by the United Nations.
Marie Byrd Land: An Unclaimed Territory in Antarctica
According to international law, no part of Antarctica is owned by any country.
However, this rule has not stopped seven countries from claiming sections of the continent as their own. These countries include Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom.
Antarctica is a disputed area claimed by many countries around the world. (Photo: Antarctica).
If we were to display these territorial claims on a world map, we would see Antarctica being “sliced” into many pieces like a pizza, with Australia and Norway taking the largest portions.
However, it is noteworthy that a corner of Antarctica remains unclaimed by any nation. This area is known as Marie Byrd Land.
It is named after the wife of American naval officer Richard E. Byrd, who explored the region in the early 20th century.
Spanning a massive area of 1,605,792 square kilometers, Marie Byrd Land is currently the largest unclaimed territory in the world.
The reason why this area remains a “Terra nullius” is simply because it is too isolated and not easily accessible, even by Antarctic standards.
Gornja Siga: An Unclaimed Swamp
There are still a few places on Earth that are not claimed by any country. They are called “Terra nullius.” (Photo: Getty).
Another typical “Terra nullius” lies between the borders of Croatia and Serbia on the western bank of the Danube River. It is estimated that there are at least four areas here that are not claimed by any nation.
Gornja Siga is the largest of these areas, covering a territory of 7 square kilometers, serving as a wetland of the Danube River.
In April 2015, a small group of libertarians led by Czech politician Vit Jedlicka planted a flag in this area. They claimed sovereignty and named it a new state called Liberland.
The idea behind this group was to create a “utopian” libertarian land with no mandatory taxes, minimal state regulations, and Bitcoin as the currency.
The Croatian government is likely not keen on the idea of having a libertarian state right at their doorstep. Therefore, the police force of this country is reported to have dispersed the crowd and arrested anyone attempting to set foot on this land.
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