The tiny European island that changes nationality every 6 months

is home to many beautiful islands, from to . While these popular are packed with sun-seeking all year-round, there's one tiny island that's famous for a very different reason. Measuring just 200 metres long and 40 metres wide, this small and uninhabited strip of land sits in the middle of a river on the border between and . And every six months, it changes hands.

Known as Pheasant Island - or Île des Faisans in French and Isla de los Faisanes in Spanish - the island is the world's smallest condominium, a rare arrangement where two countries share sovereignty. From February 1 to July 31, the island is under . Then from August 1 to January 31, it becomes . The centuries-old agreement still holds today, with each country taking turns maintaining the land and overseeing ceremonial duties.

The island is located in the Bidasoa River between the towns of Irun in Spain and Hendaye in France, a few miles from the Bay of Biscay.

While the river acts as a natural border, Pheasant Island sits entirely on the Spanish side due to the way the boundary follows the river's deepest channel.

The island's unusual status dates back to 1659, when it became the site of a major peace treaty.

France and Spain had been at war for decades, and the Treaty of the Pyrenees was signed on the island to bring the conflict to an end.

To mark the event, a monument still stands in the centre of the island - the "Monument to Peace in the Pyrenees."

As part of the peace deal, King Louis XIV of France also met his future Spanish wife, Maria Theresa, on the island.

Their marriage was intended to seal peace between the two nations.

More royal meetings followed in the 18th century, earning the island its nickname: "The island of marriages".

While Pheasant Island is off-limits to the public for most of the year due to its military and diplomatic status, a small number of heritage tours are sometimes arranged during the twice-yearly handover ceremonies.

Aside from those brief visits, the island is only accessed by officials from Irun and Hendaye, or by naval personnel from both nations who alternate responsibility for upkeep.

For anyone visiting the Basque Country, the island can be seen from riverside walks in either Irun or Hendaye.