(, ) is a area of land along the border between Egypt and Sudan which is claimed by neither country. Together with the neighbouring Halaib Triangle, it is sometimes called the Triangle (Bartazoja Triangle), despite its 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 Triangle is claimed by both and by neither. remains the only place that is habitable but 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 recognised 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 lengths of its northern and southern borders are and respectively; the lengths 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 , marking the territory's highest point. In the south is the (), also called . There is no surface water in Bir Tawil.
Climate
's climate is, according to the Köppen climate classification, a hot desert climate (Bwh). For approximately three-quarters of the year the temperature can exceed , and in the three hottest months (June–August) it can be as high as . During the winters (December and January being its mildest months), can have lower 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, about year-round.
Population Members of the Ababda and Bishari tribes pass through the Bir Tawil region, and unregulated mining camps have been established throughout the territory in search of gold deposits. Young Pioneer Tours operated two tours to the territory in 2019 and 2024, and claimed the existence of permanent settlements related to the unregulated mining camps. They further claimed that mercenaries and weapons dealers linked to the ongoing Sudanese Civil War were operating in the terra nullius area.
The local population has reacted unfavorably regarding the attempts to claim the Bir Tawil region over the internet. While they mostly welcome rare visitors, they are claimed to be armed well enough to repel foreign occupiers.
Claims
Due to its status as unclaimed territory, a number of individuals and organisations have attempted to claim as a micronation; because of the remoteness and hostile climate of the region, the vast majority of these claims have been by declarations posted on the internet from other locations. None of these claims, or any others, have been recognised, officially or otherwise, by any government or reputable international organisation.
See also Egypt–Sudan relations Marie Byrd Land, an area in Antarctica that is also unclaimed Croatia–Serbia border dispute, another border dispute with unclaimed territories. Wadi Halfa Salient Saudi Arabian–Iraqi neutral zone Terra nullius Sarra Triangle
References
Sources Dean Karalekas (2020). The Men in No Man's Land: A Journey Into Bir Tawil. 120 pages. .
External links
Google Sightseeing – Bir Tawil Triangle International Boundary Study The King of North Sudan documentary