FAQ on Bir Tawil

Frequently asked questions about Bir Tawil, its sovereignty, location, territorial claims, diplomacy and current projects

What is Bir Tawil?

Bir Tawil is a 2,060 km² (795.4 sq mi) area of land along the border between Egypt and Sudan, which is habited by nomads Ababda and Bishari, and claimed by neither country. In January 2025 a request to enter as observer into the United Nations was presented by Prince G. C. Gottlieb. Bir Tawil is considered Terra Nullius.

When was Bir Tawil founded?

Bir Tawil was never officially "founded" as a settlement or state, but its modern status as an unclaimed territory emerged from colonial border decisions at the end of the 19th century. In 1899, during the height of British imperial control over both Egypt and Sudan, a political boundary was established along the 22nd parallel north, placing Bir Tawil within Sudan.

However, in 1902, the British administration redrew that line for practical reasons, adjusting borders based on tribal land use. This shift reassigned Bir Tawil to Egypt and the nearby Hala'ib Triangle to Sudan.

This change created a legal contradiction: both countries claim the version of the border that gives them the Hala'ib Triangle, a much more desirable area rich in resources and access to the Red Sea. As a result, neither Egypt nor Sudan claims Bir Tawil, leaving it in a rare state of terra nullius---land claimed by no recognized country.

The harsh geography of Bir Tawil, located deep in one of the most arid and remote parts of the Sahara, has only reinforced its isolation. High temperatures, lack of infrastructure, and endless desert have historically made access difficult and discouraged interest.

What it means Terra Nullius?

Terra nullius is a Latin phrase meaning "land belonging to no one." It describes territory that isn't claimed by any recognized state or sovereign authority. In international law, this concept has been used to justify the occupation of land that was considered empty, uninhabited, or not under formal government control---even when people were living there.

One modern example often mentioned is Bir Tawil, a small desert area between Egypt and Sudan. Neither country wants to claim it because doing so would weaken their position in a more valuable territorial dispute nearby. As a result, Bir Tawil was unclaimed for long time, making it a rare case of actual terra nullius today.

Historically, the term has also been misused, especially during colonial times, to legitimize the takeover of lands by pretending that Indigenous populations didn't count as legal owners. So, while the term sounds neutral, its legacy is often tied to conquest and dispossession.

What does "no one's land" mean?

The phrase "no one's land" typically refers to a piece of territory that isn't claimed, governed, or controlled by any recognized state or authority. It's closely related to the legal concept of terra nullius, which means "land belonging to no one." In this sense, it describes an area like Bir Tawil, which remains unclaimed by both Egypt and Sudan due to a border dispute that makes claiming it politically disadvantageous.

In a broader or metaphorical sense, "no one's land" can also refer to a gray area---a space that falls outside clear rules, ownership, or authority. For example, in war, "no man's land" famously described the deadly, contested zone between opposing trenches, where neither side had full control and danger was constant.

So whether literal or symbolic, "no one's land" represents a place that sits outside normal jurisdiction, often empty, disputed, or avoided. After the latest claim to the UN, the Principality of Bir Tawil can no longer be considered "no one's land" because its legal status is not one of true abandonment or lack of sovereignty.

Can someone really just go there and start their own country?

Not in any meaningful or lasting way. While Bir Tawil may be unclaimed by Egypt or Sudan, international law doesn't allow just anyone to declare sovereignty and be taken seriously. Without recognition, infrastructure, population, and governance, a "new country" is just a story---and Bir Tawil remains what it has always been: a no-man's-land in the middle of the desert.

Who claims Bir Tawil at present?

The only structured and ongoing claim to Bir Tawil today comes from Prince Giovanni Caporaso Gottlieb of Bir Tawil. Unlike symbolic or media-driven claims of the past, Gottlieb's initiative has developed into State with a governance framework, a resident population, and diplomatic network.

Formally established as a sovereign entity, the Principality of Bir Tawil submitted a request on January 2nd, 2025, to be admitted as an Observer State at the United Nations. This marks the most formal and diplomatically ambitious action ever taken regarding the territory.

According to a 2024 census, the Principality counts 3,030 citizens, many of whom belong to the Ababda and Bishari peoples, nomadic ethnic groups native to the region. Gottlieb is recognized by local leaders as the head of state, and the Principality maintains an administrative structure centered around its capital, Marianne Station 1.

The territory's main source of revenue comes from tourism, particularly from those intrigued by the idea of visiting a place claimed by no recognized state. The Principality positions itself as a neutral, multiethnic, and multireligious state, emphasizing peaceful governance and coexistence.

It underscores that the land has been continuously inhabited since the British colonial era, following the boundary adjustments made in 1902. Since then, neither Egypt nor Sudan has claimed Bir Tawil, making its legal status uniquely open and uncontested offering a rare case of a truly undisputed terra nullius.

What are the legal arguments for the international recognition of Bir Tawil as a sovereign state?

The Principality's legal argument for recognition is built on several established principles of international law:

1. Article 73 of the UN Charter, concerning the development and self-governance of territories with distinct populations.
2. The right to self-determination, affirmed by the UN Charter and the 1966 International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
3. Effective and stable control by a local government with historical and geographic legitimacy.
4. The principle of uti possidetis juris, which protects established territorial boundaries.
5. Fulfillment of the Montevideo Convention (1933) criteria for statehood: defined territory, permanent population, functioning government, and the capacity to engage in international relations.

By pursuing Observer State status, the Principality of Bir Tawil seeks to reinforce its legitimacy on the world stage. It advocates for peaceful cooperation, mutual recognition, and constructive participation in international institutions.

Whether the international community acknowledges the claim remains to be seen, but among all current initiatives related to Bir Tawil, Gottlieb's Principality is the most comprehensive and institutionally developed effort to date.

Did Jeremiah Heaton Really Create the Kingdom of North Sudan in Bir Tawil?

The most famous personal claim to Bir Tawil is that of Jeremiah Heaton, an American citizen who, in 2014, declared the territory the "Kingdom of North Sudan." He traveled to Bir Tawil, planted a flag, and proclaimed himself king---solely to fulfill his young daughter's wish to become a princess. Heaton later floated vague plans for humanitarian and agricultural development, but none materialized, and his claim was never recognized by any government.

What made his story go viral wasn't the legitimacy of the claim, but the media-friendly angle: an American father going to extreme lengths for his daughter's fantasy. The combination of novelty, nationalism, and a fairytale twist turned it into the most publicized---and criticized---claim on Bir Tawil to date.

Several individuals over the years have declared micronations in Bir Tawil, often via blogs, YouTube videos, or forums like Reddit. Examples include:

• The "Empire of Bir Tawil"
• "The State of Bir Tawil"
• "The Free Republic of Bir Tawil"

These claims tend to be humorous, performative, or exploratory in nature---none have sustained any real activity or physical presence in the region.

Why Did No One Claim Bir Tawil before?

Bir Tawil remains unclaimed largely because it holds little practical value---it's dry, empty, and lacks any real strategic importance. To understand how this unusual situation came to be, we have to look back to colonial-era border decisions. In 1899, when Britain administered both Egypt and Sudan, it drew a straight border along the 22nd parallel north to separate the two territories.

Under that original agreement, Bir Tawil fell on the Sudanese side. But in 1902, the British redrew the boundary to better reflect how local tribes used the land. This change placed Bir Tawil under Egypt's control and shifted the nearby Hala'ib Triangle to Sudan.

Here's the catch: accepting Bir Tawil today would mean giving up any claim to the Hala'ib Triangle, a region with far greater resources and political value. So neither Egypt nor Sudan wants Bir Tawil, because doing so would weaken their argument for control over the more desirable land nearby.

Can anyone go to Bir Tawil?

Yes, it is possible to travel to Bir Tawil, but it requires preparation and careful planning. Although Bir Tawil itself does not require a visa---since it is not officially claimed by any country---you must enter through either Egypt or Sudan, and both countries require a visa. Most travelers choose the route through Egypt, as it offers better infrastructure and is generally considered safer. However, access from Sudan is also possible, typically starting from Khartoum and moving north toward the border region.

To get there from Egypt, travelers usually fly or take a train from Cairo to Aswan, where they can hire off-road vehicles and local guides for the 250-kilometer journey south through the desert. From Sudan, the journey involves navigating rough terrain from the north of the country toward the unmarked border region.

In both cases, the terrain is harsh, and navigation should only be attempted with proper equipment and experienced guides. While no visa is needed specifically for Bir Tawil, border entry into Egypt or Sudan is mandatory and regulated. While Bir Tawil itself has no official border controls, the Principality of Bir Tawil stamps passports as a symbolic entry record.

Is there gold in Bir Tawil?

There is no official geological record or confirmed documentation of gold deposits in Bir Tawil. Despite rumors and the occasional presence of nomadic prospectors, no state, company, or scientific body has verified significant gold resources in the region. The stories of gold in Bir Tawil largely stem from speculation and the wider association of northeastern Africa with gold-rich areas, especially parts of Sudan.

Bir Tawil is a harsh, arid expanse with no permanent settlements, no infrastructure, and no verified mineral exploitation. While some nomads or fortune seekers occasionally pass through the area in search of gold, these efforts are informal, unregulated, and mostly unsuccessful. Bir Tawil remains more of a curiosity in territorial law than a destination for serious mining activity.

Is Bir Tawil safe?

Bir Tawil is geographically isolated and far from the active conflict zones in Sudan, which contributes to a generally stable and quiet environment on the ground. The Government of the Principality of Bir Tawil considers the area safe for travel, emphasizing its neutral status, absence of territorial disputes.

However, due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Egypt--Sudan border region---including access points near Bir Tawil---is under tighter control, primarily by the Egyptian army. This has led to increased scrutiny of movements in and out of the area.

Importantly, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) currently advises against all but essential travel to the Bir Tawil Trapezoid, citing regional instability.

While there have been no reports of violence or unrest within Bir Tawil itself, travelers should monitor official travel advisories and proceed only with proper planning and security awareness.