Where people change nationality every 6 months
(Baonghean) - Every 6 months, the people of Pheasant Island have a new nationality, first French and then Spanish again.
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| Pheasant Island is jointly administered by France and Spain. |
About 6 km from the Bidasoa River, next to the French-Spanish border and right in the Atlantic Ocean, is the small island of Pheasant. The island has existed for a long time, but it took on a new mission in 1659: when the French and Spanish governments signed the Treaty of Pyrenees, ending 30 years of war between the two sides.
According to the treaty, the island was divided in two: one half belonged to France, the other to Spain. A new border was drawn, running along the Pyrenees, extending across the Bidasoa River and ending in the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean. Thus, the island was automatically divided into two countries, with two different halves.
However, the Spanish and French governments have a unique division of control. They jointly control the entire territory of Pheasant, every 6 months. The first 6 months are French, and the next 6 months are Spanish.
As a result, the people living on this island have dual citizenship. Twice a year, for 6 months they are Spanish and for the next half year they are French citizens. Today, Pheasant is the oldest and most unique common territory in the world.
Tourists are interested in changing the nationality of the local people. Many people say they also want to become naturalized on this island and become citizens of both world powers, as well as enjoy many incentives that both countries bring. However, up to now, Pheasant is still a land that tourists are not allowed to visit.
Before the war and the signing of the treaty, Pheasant did not officially belong to any country. It was a neutral location, becoming a regular venue for high-level meetings between the kings of France and Spain. It was also used as a place for exchanging prisoners of war between the two countries.
Over the years, important historical events have taken place on the island. One of them was the meeting between French King Louis XIII and his Spanish bride, Princess Ana of Austria. Spanish King Philip IV also met his future French wife on the island. Today, every six months, a small ceremony takes place on the island to mark the transfer of power between the two sides.
