For over five centuries, Spain and Portugal have been locked in one of the world’s longest territorial disputes. The subject? A tiny, remote group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean known as the Islas Salvajes (Savage Islands).
Despite their minuscule size and barren landscape, these islands have sparked diplomatic tensions for centuries. But after 500 years, the question remains: who really owns them?
What are the Islas Salvajes?
The Islas Salvajes are located 165 kilometres from Tenerife in Spain’s Canary Islands and 280 kilometres from Madeira in Portugal. The archipelago consists of three main islets: Salvaje Grande, Salvaje Pequeña, and Ilhéu de Fora. Though more akin to rocky outcrops than full-fledged islands, their strategic position in the Atlantic has made them a point of contention for both nations.
Salvaje Grande is the largest of the group, covering a mere 2.5 square kilometres. It’s dry, rocky, and has little vegetation, but its location has made it valuable. Salvaje Pequeña, just 0.25 square kilometres, is even more desolate, but it serves as a vital ecological reserve for seabirds. The smallest, Ilhéu de Fora, is essentially a barren rock.
A historical dispute
The conflict dates back to the 15th century, when Portuguese navigator Diogo Gomes reportedly discovered the islands. However, Spain claims that they were first sighted by Jean de Bérhencourt during the conquest of the Canary Islands. Additionally, they appear on a 1367 map by the Pizzigani brothers. The dispute simmered quietly for centuries. Both countries laying claim to the archipelago based on historical sightings and proximity.
In 1938, the dispute intensified when Portugal formally claimed the islands. The Portugese government placed these under the jurisdiction of Madeira. By 1971, Portugal bought the islands from a private owner and declared them a natural reserve, solidifying its control.
The fishing conflict
Tensions flared again in the 1970s, when Portugal expanded its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to include the islands, threatening the fishing rights of Spain’s Canary Islands. Spain argued that the Islas Salvajes were mere “rocks” and not islands, and thus could not generate an EEZ under international law.
A quiet understanding
Today, Portugal maintains control over the Islas Salvajes, managing them as a protected natural reserve. Although the dispute has never been officially resolved, both countries seem to have reached a tacit understanding to avoid escalating the issue further. After 500 years, the debate over the ownership of these tiny, barren islands continues. However, neither Spain nor Portugal seems eager to push the matter into open conflict.