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| Grand Dukedom of Bir-Tawil | |||
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| The Grand Dukedom of Bir-Tawil is the world’s youngest and newest micronations, and the world’s only Grand Dukedom. The Grand Dukedom was founded January 25th 2010 on the principles of freedom, micronationalism, monarchy, and democracy. Bil Tawil is a Terra Nullius,or unclaimed land. Bir-Tawil means "tall water well" in Arabic. It is one of the last unclaimed territories on Earth. Egypt bases it borders on an 1899 treaty, which places it within Sudan, while Sudan bases its borders on a 1902 treaty, which puts the territory within Egypt, thus it is legally not claimed by either nation. Neither nation claims the territory, as doing so would force them give up a claim to a much larger and more valuable territory that borders the Red Sea. Egypt administers the territory, though it does not appear on its official maps. Neither country allows access to it. Thys, The Grand Dukedom comprises of the last unclaimed territory on Earth. Bir-Tawil is a small, uninhabited, 2,060 km2 (795 sq mi) trapezoid of land in between The Sudan, and Egypt (red colored area in below map). | |||
| Bir Tawil is 2,060 km2 (795 sq mi) in size. The length of its northern and southern borders are 95 kilometres (59 mi) and 46 kilometres (29 mi) respectively; the length of its eastern and western borders are 26 kilometres (16 mi) and 31 kilometres (19 mi) respectively. In the north of the area is the mountain Jabal Tawil (جبل طويل), with a height of 459 metres (1,506 ft). In the east is Jabal Ḩajar az Zarqā', with a height of 662 metres (2,172 ft). In the south is the Wadi Tawil (وادي طويل), also called Khawr Abū Bard. | |||
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| In 1899, when the United Kingdom held hegemony in the area, the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium Agreement for Sudan set the border between the territories at the 22nd parallel. However, in 1902 the UK drew a separate "administrative boundary," under which a triangle of land north of the parallel was placed under Sudanese administration, because its inhabitants were closer to Khartoum (The Sudan) than Cairo (Egypt), both geographically and culturally. The area thus became the responsibility of the British Governor in Khartoum. Egypt claims the original border from 1899, the 22° north circle of latitude, which would place the Hala'ib Triangle (blue colored area in above map) within Egypt and the Bir Tawil area (red colored area in above map) within Sudan. Sudan however claims the administrative border of 1902, which would put Hala'ib within Sudan, and Bir Tawil within Egypt. As a result, both states claim the Hala'ib Triangle and neither claims the much less valuable Bir Tawil area, which is only a tenth the size and is landlocked. There is no basis in international law for Sudan or Egypt to claim both territories, and it would be difficult if not impossible for any third state to claim the area, since it is accessible only through Sudan or Egypt. As a result Bir Tawil is one of the few land areas of the world which is not claimed by any state. Archduke Talbot found out about this land, and laid claim to it. | |||
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| Unfortunately a few other micro-nations have also claimed the same unclaimed territory, including the Kingdom of Bir Tawil, the Republic of Bir Tawil, the Empire of Bir Tawil, the Emirate of Bir Tawil and the Duchy of Coqueland. To the best of my knowledge, the Grand Dukedom is the only one to have issued coins for this uninhabited territory. This 26mm high relief 10 Pecunias of the Grand Dukedom of Bir-Tawil is dated 2010. One side pictures a Saint and the other appears to feature a crowned goat. | |||
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In a blog named Kingdom of
Bir Tawil, the economy of Bir Tawil continues to expand, as well as the
promotion of its national symbols. We introduce our latest samples:
refrigerator magnets and personal pins bearing our hallowed flag. Anyone
desiring magnets may request them on this page, and present citizens may
request one of the last few pins. These are all destined to become
collector's items, so plan ahead. Number of registered citizens are also
increasing. The Kingdom of Bir Tawil is pleased to announce that it has
manufactured its first batch of prototype IDs. This constitutes an
important step in our path towards recognition by peace-loving nations
around the world. Once the design has been perfected, citizens may have
them issued. On Sunday, June 13th, the Council of Elders convened with
King George Henry I at the Palace of Independence, and the following
important decisions were made to form the Constitution of the Kingdom of
Bir Tawil. After lengthy and thought-provoking debate, in which numerous
viewpoints were expressed and wise improvements made, the Constitution
received official approval. The Constitution shall be enforced as soon
as it is officially sworn in, which shall take place in a nearby date. References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bir_Tawil http://kingdomofbirtawil.blogspot.com/ http://kingdomofbirtawil.blogspot.com/2010/04/where-is-this-bir-tawil-place-anyway.html http://atlasobscura.com/place/bir-tawil-1 http://www.infobarrel.com/The_worlds_most_unwanted_territory_-_Bir_Tawil http://www.birtawil.com |
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