Territorial disputes are the most often cause of disputes between states. Control over certain parts of territory has large economic and political meaning. Apart from that, if we are talking about certain islands in the Pacific or Indian Ocean, they can have a strategic meaning.
Precisely those islands during their history were often the center for such disputes and wars. Look at which 10 islands have the most disputed status and which countries used to control them.
10TAIWAN
Occupied by: Taiwan
Claimed by: China
Taiwan is considered of China – unification by force is a constant source of tension.
Claimed by: China
Taiwan is considered of China – unification by force is a constant source of tension.
09DOKDO/TAKESHIMA ISLAND
Occupied by: South Korea
Claimed by: North Korea, Japan
Thought to be rich in gas reserves, disputes have been largely diplomatic
Claimed by: North Korea, Japan
Thought to be rich in gas reserves, disputes have been largely diplomatic
08SPRATLY ISLANDS
Occupied by: Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Malaysia, The Philippines and Laos
Claimed by: Brunei
Resource-rich chain of over 100 islands several countries have a military presence enforce their claims.
Claimed by: Brunei
Resource-rich chain of over 100 islands several countries have a military presence enforce their claims.
07MACHIAS SEAL ISLAND
Occupied by: Canada
Claimed by: USA
Tension revolves around fishing rights. Canada maintains a lighthouse on the island.
Claimed by: USA
Tension revolves around fishing rights. Canada maintains a lighthouse on the island.
06PEREJIL ISLAND
Occupied by: Uninhabited
Claimed by: Morocco and Spain
Moroccan soldiers occupied the island in 2002. They were swiftly ejected by Spanish troops.
Claimed by: Morocco and Spain
Moroccan soldiers occupied the island in 2002. They were swiftly ejected by Spanish troops.
05KURIL ISLAND
Occupied by: Russia
Claimed by: Japan
Kuril Island is Russian territory since the end of WW II, rich in oil and gas.
Claimed by: Japan
Kuril Island is Russian territory since the end of WW II, rich in oil and gas.
04PARACEL ISLANDS
Occupied by: China
Claimed by: Taiwan and Vietnam
China and Vietnam have fought twice (1974 and 1988) over these 30 islands.
Claimed by: Taiwan and Vietnam
China and Vietnam have fought twice (1974 and 1988) over these 30 islands.
03IMIA/KARDAK
Occupied by: Uninhabited
Claimed by: Greece and Turkey
Turkish and Greece narrowly avoided war in 1996 after mobilizing their navies over these islets.
Claimed by: Greece and Turkey
Turkish and Greece narrowly avoided war in 1996 after mobilizing their navies over these islets.
02SENKAKU/DIAOYU ISLANDS
Occupied by: Japan
Claimed by: China and Taiwan
Economically strategic islands controlled by Japan. Serious diplomatic incidents occurred as a result in 2010 and 2012.
Claimed by: China and Taiwan
Economically strategic islands controlled by Japan. Serious diplomatic incidents occurred as a result in 2010 and 2012.
01FAKLAND ISLANDS
Occupied by: UK
Claimed by: Argentina
A war in 1982 led to over 900 casualties, with the UK maintain control.
Claimed by: Argentina
A war in 1982 led to over 900 casualties, with the UK maintain control.
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