Major Territory Disputes Around The World

Rockall Island Is Apparently Very Valuable

Photo Credits: Andy Strangeway/ Geograph

By looks alone, Rockall Island is nothing more than an uninhabitable rock in the middle of the Northern Atlantic. Not only is it uninhabitable, but it is also extremely far from the nearest human settlement. It is around 8,000 square feet — a nice pit stop for traveling birds –and has also been fought over by Britain, Iceland, and Denmark for hundreds of years.

The reason that the three countries have such an interest in the island is not for territorial purposes, but for resources. According to the United Nations Law of Sea, whoever has claimed to the “island” also has rights to the resources in the surrounding area such as fish, oil, navigation, and more.

If you thought that was bad, these next two countries have fought three wars over one small territory.