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Does anyone know these territories

Åland is semi-independent Swedish-speaking island, but for most intents and purposes is Finnish. Technically it's outside of EU tax customs, which means VAT isn't in scope for certain transactions. It's not really a meaningful opportunity for VAT reduction, though. Besides that, taxes are basically the same as in mainland Finland. Slight variation across municipalities.

Öland is not independent at all, just another province. The same taxes as the rest of Sweden applies. The only differences across Sweden are small differences in tax based on municipality and province.

Kudos for digging deep in Wikipedia and Google Maps, though.
 
Bir Tawil.
Sounds like the perfect place to move to!
Bir Tawil (Egyptian Arabic: بير طويل, romanized: Bīr Ṭawīl, lit. 'tall water well', [biːɾ tˤɑˈwiːl]) is a 2,060 km2 (795.4 sq mi) 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 Bir Tawil Triangle, despite the area's quadrilateral shape; the two regions border at a quadripoint.

Its unclaimed 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 Halaib Triangle is claimed by both and Bir Tawil by neither. In 2014, author Alastair Bonnett described Bir Tawil as the only place on Earth that was habitable but was not claimed by any recognised government.[2]

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".[3] It contained a provision that would give Egypt control of the Red Sea port of Suakin, but an amendment on 10 July 1899 gave Suakin to Sudan instead.[3]

Map of the Hala'ib Triangle and Bir Tawil from 1912
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.[3] Bir Tawil was grazing land used by the Ababda tribe based near Aswan, and thus was placed under Egyptian administration from Cairo. Similarly, the Hala'ib 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 Hala'ib Triangle within Egypt and the Bir Tawil area 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 Hala'ib and neither claims the much less valuable Bir Tawil 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 Hala'ib. With no recognized third state claiming the neglected area, Bir Tawil is one of the few land areas of the world not claimed by any recognised state.[4][5]

Geography​

2021 satellite image of Bir Tawil (outlined in red) by Landsat 8
Bir Tawil is 2,060 km2 (795.4 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 49 kilometres (30 mi) respectively. In the north of the area is the mountain Jabal Ṭawil (جبل طويل), with a height of 459 metres (1,506 ft). In the east is Gabal Hagar El Zarqa, with a height of 662 metres (2,172 ft), marking the territory's highest point. In the south is the Wadi Ṭawil (وادي طويل), also called Khawr Abū Bard. There is no surface water in Bir Tawil.[6]

Climate​

Bir Tawil's climate is, according to the Köppen climate classification, a very hot desert climate (Bwh). For approximately three-quarters of the year the temperature can exceed 40 °C (104 °F), and in the three hottest months (June–August) it can be as high as 45 °C (113 °F). During the winters (December and January being its mildest months), Bir Tawil can have lower temperatures, with 26 °C (79 °F) as its usual temperature peak.

Because the territory is far from the ocean (being at least 200 km or 120 mi away from the Red Sea), the diurnal temperature range throughout the region is large, about 20 °C (36 °F) year-round.[7]

hideClimate data for Bir Tawil
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)26
(79)
28
(82)
32
(90)
37
(99)
40
(104)
42
(108)
42
(108)
42
(108)
41
(106)
38
(100)
32
(90)
27
(81)
36
(96)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)7
(45)
8
(46)
11
(52)
16
(61)
20
(68)
22
(72)
24
(75)
24
(75)
22
(72)
19
(66)
13
(55)
9
(48)
16
(61)
Source: MeteoBlue.com[8]

Claims​

See also: Attempts to claim Bir Tawil as a nation state
Due to its status as de jure unclaimed territory, a number of individuals and organizations have attempted to claim Bir Tawil as a micronation; because of 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.[9][10]

"Anyone really serious would look at Bir Tawil." Bir Tawil is an uninhabited desert. No water, no banks, no stores, no restaurants & no people. Sounds like the perfect place to build a chalet and retire. Peter Taradash ...,Only kidding!

Population​

Bir Tawil has no settled population, but members of the Ababda and Bishari tribes pass through the region,[9] and unregulated mining camps have been established throughout the territory in search of gold deposits.[11][12] Young Pioneer Tours operated two tours to the territory in 2019 and 2024, and claimed the existence of unregulated mining camps.[13]

Anyone really serious would look at Bir Tawil.
By searching "Bir Tawil Water" in Bing, you will find some interesting YouTube pictures of Bir Tawil.... Lots of sand and bones of dead animals and people.
 
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Egypt was not happy with my territorial claims. They didn’t take me to Wikipedia though; they brought me to the nearest police station instead.
II mean it's better than Liberland, where the Croatian police invade it, as the news says, their feelings were hurt, Talk about a case of "Croatian commotion causing a commotion!" I hear their motto is: "If at first you don't succeed, just invade awkwardly! smi(&%
 
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Reactions: brianK
Was a American trying to do sea stealing off phuket lol a few years ago - caused a right mess for himself

Was a American trying to do sea stealing off phuket lol a few years ago - caused a right
 
Sounds like the perfect place to move to!
Bir Tawil (Egyptian Arabic: بير طويل, romanized: Bīr Ṭawīl, lit. 'tall water well', [biːɾ tˤɑˈwiːl]) is a 2,060 km2 (795.4 sq mi) 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 Bir Tawil Triangle, despite the area's quadrilateral shape; the two regions border at a quadripoint.

Its unclaimed 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 Halaib Triangle is claimed by both and Bir Tawil by neither. In 2014, author Alastair Bonnett described Bir Tawil as the only place on Earth that was habitable but was not claimed by any recognised government.[2]

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".[3] It contained a provision that would give Egypt control of the Red Sea port of Suakin, but an amendment on 10 July 1899 gave Suakin to Sudan instead.[3]

Map of the Hala'ib Triangle and Bir Tawil from 1912
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.[3] Bir Tawil was grazing land used by the Ababda tribe based near Aswan, and thus was placed under Egyptian administration from Cairo. Similarly, the Hala'ib 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 Hala'ib Triangle within Egypt and the Bir Tawil area 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 Hala'ib and neither claims the much less valuable Bir Tawil 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 Hala'ib. With no recognized third state claiming the neglected area, Bir Tawil is one of the few land areas of the world not claimed by any recognised state.[4][5]

Geography​

2021 satellite image of Bir Tawil (outlined in red) by Landsat 8
Bir Tawil is 2,060 km2 (795.4 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 49 kilometres (30 mi) respectively. In the north of the area is the mountain Jabal Ṭawil (جبل طويل), with a height of 459 metres (1,506 ft). In the east is Gabal Hagar El Zarqa, with a height of 662 metres (2,172 ft), marking the territory's highest point. In the south is the Wadi Ṭawil (وادي طويل), also called Khawr Abū Bard. There is no surface water in Bir Tawil.[6]

Climate​

Bir Tawil's climate is, according to the Köppen climate classification, a very hot desert climate (Bwh). For approximately three-quarters of the year the temperature can exceed 40 °C (104 °F), and in the three hottest months (June–August) it can be as high as 45 °C (113 °F). During the winters (December and January being its mildest months), Bir Tawil can have lower temperatures, with 26 °C (79 °F) as its usual temperature peak.

Because the territory is far from the ocean (being at least 200 km or 120 mi away from the Red Sea), the diurnal temperature range throughout the region is large, about 20 °C (36 °F) year-round.[7]

hideClimate data for Bir Tawil
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)26
(79)
28
(82)
32
(90)
37
(99)
40
(104)
42
(108)
42
(108)
42
(108)
41
(106)
38
(100)
32
(90)
27
(81)
36
(96)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)7
(45)
8
(46)
11
(52)
16
(61)
20
(68)
22
(72)
24
(75)
24
(75)
22
(72)
19
(66)
13
(55)
9
(48)
16
(61)
Source: MeteoBlue.com[8]

Claims​

See also: Attempts to claim Bir Tawil as a nation state
Due to its status as de jure unclaimed territory, a number of individuals and organizations have attempted to claim Bir Tawil as a micronation; because of 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.[9][10]



Population​

Bir Tawil has no settled population, but members of the Ababda and Bishari tribes pass through the region,[9] and unregulated mining camps have been established throughout the territory in search of gold deposits.[11][12] Young Pioneer Tours operated two tours to the territory in 2019 and 2024, and claimed the existence of unregulated mining camps.[13]


By searching "Bir Tawil Water" in Bing, you will find some interesting YouTube pictures of Bir Tawil.... Lots of sand and bones of dead animals and people.
Do you know something about it from personal experience?
 
Do you know something about it from personal experience?
I was in the area years ago. Bir Tawil (Egyptian Arabic: بير طويل, romanized: Bīr Ṭawīl, lit. 'tall water well', [biːɾ tˤɑˈwiːl]) is a 2,060 km2 (795.4 sq mi) 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 Bir Tawil Triangle, despite the area's quadrilateral shape; the two regions border at a quadripoint.
It is a desolate, desert area. Like unclaimed islands in the middle of the ocean, I don't see much use in fiddling around or even visiting them. As a much younger guy, I shared the fantasy of starting a "new country" issuing coins, stamps, currency, bonds & selling passports, etc... Some friends tried to do it with a place they named "Minerva." Another guy (Harvey Penquino) did something similar with Antarctica. Then there is Sealand.
O.K. You can call yourself "King" or Emperor. But the reality is that no other countries (nor anybody important !) will recognize your title or your new country, The passport you issue and all the other stuff is worthless...

If some foolish people do buy your worthless passports, etc., you might be charged with fraud.

Around 1986 I almost bought ($1 million) the entire rabbit-overrun Brecqhou, the neighboring Island of Sark in the English Channel. While I was negotiating with the owner Mr. Leonard Joseph Matchan, who owned Max Factor Cosmetics, and later, his Estate, a much richer guy (actually two bachelor twins) bought it. [From 1993, the tenement of Brecqhou was owned by the Barclay brothers, the co-owners of The Daily Telegraph newspaper and former co-owners of The Scotsman. The brothers bought the island for £2.3 million in September 1993. ] They built a castle there. It has a legal tax-free quasi-independent status within the UK. As the Barclay Brothers were my age, they are probably dead now --Thus if you want a no-tax island hideaway and if you own a helicopter to take you to London when you need anything, check out that place (see "Sark") to see if it is for sale. According to Wikipedia: Brecqhou, is a private island. It opened its doors to the public in 2012. Visitors are now able to visit Brecqhou. Day boat trips to Brecqhou are now free for guests of any lodging in the Sark Islands Hotel Group, Let us know on this site if you visited Brecqhou, or bought it! I stayed there in 1992 before the big castle was built around 1995.
As I got older, and reality set in, I decided that even considering this kind of deal is a colossal waste of time & money. Why? Life is too short to cock around with nonsense. I like to live comfortably & well; to take an elevator from my inspiring view apartment to the ground floor in a major safe city where it is only a short walk to dozens of great restaurants, banks, and supermarkets; I want a low-maintenance house or apartment in a pleasant climate near where I can get anything I want. That means, no desert nor island hideaways, no being a "king" in new countries nor uninhabited (or disputed) land nobody wants. For me, summers as a P.T. in the French Riviera ( +Switzerland ) and a winter place in the Philippines suit me. Newport Beach California and a coastal resort town in Thailand would be just as good.
 
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1727768841381.webp
 
Above is the private castle built by the Barclay Brothers on Sark-Brecqhou I lived on Sark around 40 years ago.
It was lonely, cold, and unpleasant in the winter. I almost bought Brecqhou for $1 million... These days I'll bet you couldn't buy it (with the new Castle) for under $40 Million!

Being tax-free is not worth being a hermit IMO. I developed the P.T. idea and wrote my PT book(s) while I was there. Nothing else to do!
 
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Why didn't my deal go through? OK several reasons. 1) The owner/seller died. 2) The heirs and the estate thought my "lowball" $1 mil offer was below the true value, which it probably was! The Barclay Brothers came along with a $2.3 mil offer that was eventually accepted. Then, the new owner twins got into a lawsuit with the feudal lord of Sark. They must have spent $500,000 on that! Plus another $20 million plus on their new castle.
Like so many of my "almost" deals, I am happy that I was not stuck there as an owner. For a lot less money I moved to Monaco 40 years ago -- a happening place both then and now, and also a tax haven. You can sell an apartment in Monaco in about 15 days. To sell that castle, might take a lifetime or two.
My advice: Invest only in a busy, popular place, preferably a water-front property!

I hope that answers your question.
 
As always, a very thorough explanation, and really inspiring to read. However, I would argue that if you had bought that slot for $2.3M back then, you could have still sold it 10 years ago for maybe $40M, and it probably wouldn’t have taken long.

I know ultra-wealthy people are always on the lookout for those kinds of gems, and for them, $40M is pocket money.