is the Bidasoa River,
photograph, Zarateman/Wikimedia Commons, and in that river is an island, Pheasant Island, it is uninhabited, but has a huge historical status, hundreds of years ago it was where the Thirty Years’ War between Spain and
France finally ended, it was not a small war, over 8 million casualties resulting from military battles as well as from
the famine and disease caused by the conflict, the two countries sent a couple of their most important
dignitaries to the island to negotiate, with their respective armies gathered
on both sides of the Bidasoa, just to keep the peace in case things went wrong, 11 years and 24
summits later, a deal was struck, and Pheasant Island became under the joint
sovereignty of the two nations,
but with the island being in the middle of the river
boundary, who owns the island? when France and Spain decided to end their long
war, Pheasant Island became a metaphor for long-lasting peace. French King
Louis XIV married the daughter of King Philip IV, Maria Theresa of Spain on the
tiny island, a monument to commemorate the historic agreement was built in the
centre of it, and most importantly, it was decided that, from that point on,
both countries would have joint custody of the territory for six months out of
a year, since 1660, when the landmark agreement was struck, Pheasant
Island has belonged to Spain from 1 February to 31 July of each year, and to
France for the other half of the year, visitors are only allowed onto the
island on rare occasions, like the bi-annual handover ceremony, or on rare
heritage tours. Other than that, employees of the municipal governments of
Irun, in Spain, and Hendaye, in France, will venture onto Pheasant Island every
six months for cleaning and gardening work, the Naval Commands of both Spain
and France are responsible for monitoring Pheasant Island, so during their six
months of annual ownership crews will land on it every five days, well you
never know your sneaky neighbours might try and take it over!
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