ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel The Infographics Show Why This Island Switches Countries Twice a Year
On February 1st, 2024, something interesting happened: a small island controlled by France was handed over to Spain without any conflict. This island, known as Pheasant Island, is only about 8,156 square yards in size. It will stay under Spanish control for six months before being returned to France on August 1st. This back-and-forth exchange has been happening for hundreds of years, with each country taking turns controlling the island for six months. But why does Pheasant Island change hands every six months?
To understand this, let’s first take a trip to Hendaye, a beautiful beach resort in France. Hendaye is known for its stunning sandy beaches, where seals can often be seen during the winter. It’s the last French town before you reach the Spanish border. As you continue your journey, you’ll come across the Bidasoa River, which acts as a natural border between France and Spain. In this river lies Pheasant Island. If you travel upstream towards the river’s mouth, you’ll notice industrial buildings on the French side and residential towers on the Spanish side. As the river widens, you’ll finally see Pheasant Island. It’s a small, unremarkable piece of land that tourists can only visit with special permission. Interestingly, despite its name, there are no pheasants on the island. The name likely comes from a mistranslation of the French word for “treaty” or “conference,” hinting at the island’s historical significance.
Currently, a naval commander from San Sebastian, a Spanish town, is in charge of the island. In August, control will be handed over to a French commander from Bayonne. This exchange happens every six months, with the two commanders acting as the island’s viceroys. However, they don’t have much to do since the island is uninhabited. The mayors of Hendaye and the Spanish town of Irun handle the island’s day-to-day governance, but there’s not much to manage. Occasionally, touring groups visit with special permission from the current controller.
Benoit Ugartemendia, who heads Hendaye’s park division, sends a team to the island once during France’s six-month control to perform basic maintenance like trimming trees and cutting grass. After a day or two of work, the team leaves, and the island is empty again. Sometimes, campers from Spain try to reach the island when the river’s waters dry up, but the police usually chase them away, leaving the island uninhabited once more.
Despite its small size and lack of strategic importance, Pheasant Island has a fascinating history. The reason for its unique status dates back to historical events over 350 years ago. In 1619, Emperor Ferdinand II became the head of the Holy Roman Empire, which included parts of Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Under his rule, the empire engaged in a religious crusade, leading to a war between France and Spain. Ferdinand II wanted to convert all the empire’s citizens to Catholicism, causing significant conflict.
After these events, France and Spain decided to turn Pheasant Island into a symbol of peace rather than fight over it. They agreed that each country would control the island for six months before handing it over to the other. This agreement was marked by the wedding of Louis XIV of France and Maria Teresa de Austria, a Spanish princess, which took place on Pheasant Island.
Today, Pheasant Island serves as neutral territory, symbolizing the peace between Spain and France after their long conflict. If you visit the island, you won’t find a grand memorial, just a simple monolith commemorating the events that led to its unique status. One side of the monolith is inscribed in Spanish, while the other is in French.
In recent years, the island has also been used by migrants attempting to cross the border between Spain and France, providing temporary shelter. Beyond this, Pheasant Island remains a geopolitical curiosity—a reminder of a war fought over 350 years ago that now serves as a shared neutral zone between the two nations. It symbolizes peace and is worth remembering in a world often troubled by border conflicts. What do you think about the island? Does it serve a significant purpose as a symbol of peace, or is it simply a tiny landmass that both nations could easily forget? Let us know your thoughts!
Research the key historical events that led to the unique governance of Pheasant Island. Create a timeline that includes the war between France and Spain, the wedding of Louis XIV and Maria Teresa de Austria, and the establishment of the island’s current status. Present your timeline to the class and discuss how these events have shaped the island’s history.
Using a map of Europe, trace the journey from Hendaye, France, to Pheasant Island. Identify key geographical features such as the Bidasoa River and the surrounding towns. Create a visual presentation or a digital map to share with your classmates, highlighting the island’s location and its significance as a border between two countries.
In groups, role-play the exchange of control over Pheasant Island between France and Spain. Assign roles such as the naval commanders, mayors, and maintenance team. Act out the handover ceremony and discuss the responsibilities each group has during their six-month control. Reflect on the importance of cooperation and diplomacy in this unique governance model.
Engage in a classroom debate about the significance of Pheasant Island as a symbol of peace. Divide into two groups: one arguing that the island serves an important diplomatic purpose, and the other suggesting it is merely a historical curiosity. Use evidence from the article and additional research to support your arguments. Conclude with a class discussion on the relevance of historical symbols in modern times.
Imagine you are tasked with designing a new monument for Pheasant Island that better represents its history and significance. Create a sketch or model of your monument, incorporating elements that reflect the island’s role in Franco-Spanish relations. Present your design to the class and explain the symbolism behind your choices.
On February 1st, 2024, an island controlled by France was handed over to Spain without any conflict. This island, which represents 8,156 square yards of territory, will remain in Spanish hands for six months before being returned to France on August 1st. This process will continue, as it has for hundreds of years, with France and Spain each taking control for six months before voluntarily handing it back. This is the fate of Pheasant Island. In this video, we explore the island’s history and answer the question: Why does Pheasant Island change hands every six months?
Before diving into that, let’s take a trip to the beautiful French beach resort of Hendaye. Featuring stunning sandy beaches, which seals occupy during the winter off-season, it is the last town controlled by France before reaching the Spanish border. Continuing your journey, you’ll reach the Bidasoa River, a natural border between the two countries. It’s in this river that you’ll find Pheasant Island. Travel upstream toward the river’s mouth, and you’ll eventually encounter unattractive buildings on either side. Industrial warehouses line the river on the French side, while residential tower blocks line the Spanish side. Finally, as the river starts to widen in preparation for reaching the Cantabrian Sea, you’ll see Pheasant Island. It appears nondescript—a tiny patch of land that tourists can only access through special arrangements. Interestingly, its name is believed to be a misnomer; there are no pheasants on the island. It’s thought that a mistranslation of the French word for “treaty” or “conference” led to its name, hinting at why the island exists in such a unique limbo between France and Spain.
Currently, the island is under the control of a naval commander from San Sebastian, a Spanish town. In August, the commander will hand over control to a French commander in Bayonne, with the two commanders going through this ritual every six months. Together, they serve as the island’s viceroys, though neither is particularly active in their role. The day-to-day governance of Pheasant Island falls to the mayors of Hendaye and the Spanish town of Irun. In truth, neither has much to do, as the island is uninhabited, except for occasional touring groups that visit with special permission from the current controller.
According to Benoit Ugartemendia, the head of Hendaye’s park division, he sends a team once during France’s six-month ownership to perform basic maintenance, such as trimming trees and cutting grass. After a day or two of work, the team leaves, and the island is left empty again. The only other threat to the island comes from campers. Given the tidal nature of the Bidasoa River, the waters sometimes dry up, allowing Spanish campers to walk along the riverbed to reach Pheasant Island. The police will arrive to chase the campers away, after which the island is once again left uninhabited.
By all accounts, this tiny piece of land is utterly inconsequential. It presents no tactical advantage for either France or Spain, nor could it serve as a base should conflict arise between the two nations. So, with the island seeming so pointless to both countries, why do they continue the ritual of having it change hands every six months? This ritual has existed for around 350 years and has its roots in historical events.
In 1619, Emperor Ferdinand II became the head of the Holy Roman Empire. This empire was as much a political and religious institution as it was a physical one, holding territory in Germany, France, Italy, and Spain. Under Ferdinand II, the empire engaged in a religious crusade, leading to war between France and Spain. Ferdinand II sought to convert all the empire’s citizens to Catholicism, which sparked significant conflict.
The answer to the question of Pheasant Island’s unique status lies in the aftermath of these historical events. Rather than arguing over who should control such a small piece of land, France and Spain chose to turn it into a monument of peace. Each would control the island for six months before turning it over to the other. This agreement was symbolically marked by the wedding between Louis XIV of France and Maria Teresa de Austria, a Spanish infanta, which took place on Pheasant Island.
Today, Pheasant Island stands as neutral territory—a symbol of the peace struck between Spain and France following their long-lasting conflict. If you visit the island, you won’t find a grand memorial; instead, there is a simple monolith commemorating the events that led to its unique status. The side facing Spain is inscribed in Spanish, while the other side is in French.
In recent years, the island has also been used by migrants attempting to cross the border between Spain and France, providing temporary shelter. However, beyond this, Pheasant Island remains a geopolitical curiosity—a remnant of a war waged over 350 years ago that serves as a shared neutral zone between the two nations. It symbolizes peace and is worth remembering in a world often troubled by border conflicts. What do you think about the island? Does it serve a significant purpose as a symbol of peace, or is it simply a tiny landmass that both nations could easily forget? Let us know your thoughts!
Island – A piece of land surrounded by water – The island of Crete played a significant role in the development of ancient Greek civilization.
France – A country in Western Europe known for its rich history and cultural influence – France was a central player in the events leading up to the French Revolution in 1789.
Spain – A country in Southwestern Europe with a diverse cultural heritage – Spain was a powerful empire during the 16th century, known for its exploration and colonization of the Americas.
Border – A line separating two political or geographical areas, especially countries – The border between the United States and Canada is the longest international boundary in the world.
History – The study of past events, particularly in human affairs – Understanding history helps us learn from past mistakes and successes.
Peace – A state of tranquility or quiet, especially in the context of international relations – The Treaty of Versailles was intended to bring peace after World War I, although it had mixed results.
Control – The power to influence or direct people’s behavior or the course of events – The Roman Empire exerted control over much of Europe and the Mediterranean region at its height.
River – A large natural stream of water flowing in a channel to the sea, a lake, or another river – The Nile River was crucial to the development of ancient Egyptian civilization.
Governance – The action or manner of governing a state, organization, or people – Effective governance was essential for the stability of the Byzantine Empire.
Treaty – A formally concluded and ratified agreement between countries – The Treaty of Tordesillas divided the newly discovered lands outside Europe between Portugal and Spain in 1494.
