There are thousands of small uninhabited islands across the globe, many in the south pacific. Could a person sail to one and stake claim to it? Live there if he chose, declare himself president, Czar, or Emperor of Island No. 2097?
2007-03-12 14:02:47 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Well, thanks to satellites nothing is "uncharted" anymore, so your odds of finding your own version of Gilligan's Island is zero. As for uninhabited islands, I'm pretty sure that every island or territory belongs to one nation or another by previous claim.
This is why all the hoorah about the artificial island (former gun platform) in the English Channel made news last fall. What was it... the Principality of Sealand! Some former British Army officer kicked off some squatters (by beating one in a fistfight) and moved in his family and declared it a sovereign nation (even though it depends on Britain for EVERYTHING). The UN has already ruled on the legality of the claim (as have US courts and German courts), but the Brits can't be bothered to remove the guy, so he stays, claiming he is legally entitled to live there even if he isn't.
So, you may claim you are emperor of Island 2097, but it could probably be overturned in court pretty easily. The only way you COULD become emperor is to purchase the island.
2007-03-13 03:35:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I do not think it is clear that ALL uninhabited islands are without a state (meaning a government or some country that lays claim). I believe all islands or even unchartered areas of the Pacific or assigned territories that are under some countries rule meaning you could not take the island for free.
Just because an island is uninhabited does not mean it is available for the taking.
2007-03-12 14:09:00 · answer #2 · answered by KingGeorge 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I like your question. I'm not sure if your control over the island would be totally legal, and there might be natives on Island No. 2097. But it would be really cool if you could do that :)
2007-03-12 14:15:28 · answer #3 · answered by Lady Z 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, I don't think so because the islands belong to larger countries. I'm sure that they're probably not too concerned about immigration laws there though.
2007-03-12 14:06:46 · answer #4 · answered by gracie 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not really--everything is already claimed, and many islands are not inhabitable--no water, only a few feet above sea level (OK if there are no storms or strong winds), etc
2007-03-12 14:12:12 · answer #5 · answered by mistrhistre 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No. Even tho they are across the globe, they are owned by countries. Usually the closest one.
2007-03-12 14:09:04 · answer #6 · answered by Angel Eve 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋