En- and Exclaves
The world is home to 62 territories that are completely surrounded by the land of another country — known as enclaves.
These unique geographic features reveal how complex and fascinating international borders can be.
Remarkably, 30 of these enclaves are located in the towns of Baarle-Hertog (Belgium) and Baarle-Nassau (Netherlands), making Baarle one of the most intricate border regions on Earth.
Each enclave has its own story, shaped by centuries of history, politics, and local identity.
For a complete worldwide overview of enclaves and exclaves, explore this site [global enclave map and guide] — your gateway to understanding the world’s most extraordinary border puzzles.
(Pen) Enclaves Dashboard
En- and exclaves
∆ Campione d' Italia
Enclaves tripoints
∆ Ur, Caldegas and Llivia #Ll_01
∆ Caldégas, Sainte-Leocadie and Llívia #Ll_06
∆ Angoustrine, Ur and Llivía #Ll_42
Pen-enclaves
What Is a Pen-Enclave?
A pen-enclave (also called a practical enclave) is a territory that is not completely separated from its parent country, but can only be accessed by passing through another state or territory.
In other words, there is no direct road access from the main part of the country.
The only practical way to reach the pen-enclave is via the surrounding territory of another entity.
These rare border situations often result from historical land divisions or treaty adjustments and are fascinating examples of how geography and politics shape modern borders.
The Baarle Enclaves: Europe’s Most Complex Border Between Belgium and the Netherlands
Baarle Enclaves (Belgium / Netherlands)
(Click to visit the Baarle page for maps, history, and photos.)
The Baarle enclaves represent one of Europe’s most intricate and historically rich border arrangements.
Officially located in the Netherlands, the twin towns of Baarle-Hertog (Belgium) and Baarle-Nassau (Netherlands) form a geographical puzzle that dates back to medieval land treaties and feudal ownership disputes.
In total, Baarle-Hertog consists of 22 Belgian enclaves surrounded by Dutch territory. Inside these Belgian areas, there are 7 Dutch counter-enclaves — small parcels of land that belong to the Netherlands but are completely surrounded by Belgium.
To make things even more extraordinary, there is one Dutch enclave entirely within Belgian mainland, adding another layer to this centuries-old cartographic enigma.
The borders of Baarle are not just marked on maps — they physically cut through streets, homes, and shops, sometimes dividing a single building between two countries.
Over time, this peculiar arrangement has come to symbolize peaceful coexistence and cross-border coöperation in Europe.
For a deeper look at the maps, stories, and photos of this fascinating town, visit my full Baarle Enclaves Guided Page.
Büsingen
German exclave in Switzerland
Büsingen, a unique German enclave nestled within Switzerland, sits between the German state of Baden-Württemberg and the Swiss canton of Schaffhausen.
With roots dating back to the Middle Ages, Büsingen showcases a charming mix of German and Swiss cultural influences.
This area stands out due to its distinctive administrative setup, where both German and Swiss laws are in effect, making Büsingen an intriguing spot for history enthusiasts and those intrigued by cultural diversity.
You'll discover numerous boundary markers here that delineate the precise border between the German enclave and Switzerland.
Büsingen was formerly under Habsburg authority. It was integrated into the Kingdom of Württemberg amidst the Napoleonic conflicts in 1805.
The boundaries were formalized by the Congress of Vienna in 1815, delineating its territorial precincts.
The vehicle registration plate BüS-A is used instead of KN-A in Büsingen.
When a resident of Büsingen drives into a German town, parks the car, and returns later, it's not uncommon to find one or more individuals examining the car's registration plate and discussing it. "Büs-A... never seen that before." Yes, it does exist, although not commonly.
There are roughly 700 cars with this unique registration plate, which may seem exotic to non-residents.
Konstanz
Büsingen is part of the Konstanz district and should technically have a KN registration plate on its vehicles.
However, due to Büsingen's unique situation, the village was granted its own Büs registration plate, exempting it from the KN requirement. This decision aimed to facilitate the work of Swiss border officials.
When a Swiss customs officer in Geneva or Basel sees a German car with a BÜS plate passing through, they know it belongs to the Swiss economic area and might be transporting goods subject to customs. This prompts the officer to stop the BÜS car and inquire, "Did you import something or receive goods for free?"
Additionally, there are cars with BüS-Z license plates, although they are few in number and can be counted on one hand.
These vehicles were imported into Büsingen without paying customs but can only be driven under that status for a maximum of two years.
.png?etag=%229a701-68f0b146%22&sourceContentType=image%2Fpng&quality=85 "Explore the unique license plates used in the area of Büsingen enclave")
And guess what we found while in Büsingen
Büsingen boasts a unique vehicle registration plate system stipulated in the state treaty.
This distinct characteristic results in vehicles from Büsingen displaying the identifier BüS instead of the typical KN, which would be assigned based on its location in the Konstanz district.
The BüS plates were first introduced in early 1968 to streamline the responsibilities of Swiss customs officers. Vehicles with BüS plates are treated similarly to Swiss vehicles when entering and traveling within Switzerland.
Regular BüS plates are marked with the letter A. Additionally, there are vehicles identified with the letter Z that were brought into Switzerland duty-free and are authorized to operate under this status for a maximum of two years.
Prior to the deregulation of registration plates, BüS plates were the rarest ones issued in Germany. Although BüS temporarily lost its title as the scarcest plate due to the reintroduction of numerous old plates, it still retains the distinction of being the smallest registration district in Germany.
Motor vehicle taxes for Büsingen residents are submitted to the central customs office in Singen (Hohentwiel). However, the key factor affecting these taxes is the rate set by the canton of Schaffhausen, which is notably lower than German rates, particularly for diesel vehicles, and is not based on emission standards.
This variation has previously led German residents to falsely claim residency in Büsingen to take advantage of the reduced vehicle taxes.
Jungholz (AT)
Jungholz, Austria
The Unique Austrian Exclave in Germany
Jungholz is a fascinating Austrian exclave completely surrounded by Germany. It is located in the northwestern part of Austria, within the district of Tyrol (Tirol).
Despite being part of Austria, Jungholz can only be reached by road through German territory, making it one of Europe’s most interesting geographical anomalies.
Until June 24, 1342, Jungholz was part of Bavaria (Beieren, Germany). On this date, it officially became part of Tyrol (Tirol, Austria) following a historic land transfer.
The exact borders of Jungholz were later defined through agreements signed between the Kingdom of Bavaria and the Austrian Empire (later the Austro-Hungarian Empireor Dual Monarchy) in 1844 and 1850. These treaties established the exclave’s unique political and geographical status that remains to this day.
.jpeg?etag=%2219d1a7-665b72aa%22&sourceContentType=image%2Fjpeg&ignoreAspectRatio&resize=2500,1667&quality=85 "Sorgschrofen Mountain peak marking the Austria–Germany quadripoint near Jungholz, Tyrol.")
Sorgschrofen Mountain (1,636 m)
The Unique Quadripoint of Austria and Germany
The Sorgschrofen Mountain, standing 1,636 meters above sea level, is a remarkable geographical landmark located near Jungholz, Tyrol (Austria).
What makes this mountain truly special is the quadripoint found at its summit — a single point where two Austrian territories and two German territories meet.
This rare international border point makes Sorgschrofen one of only a few quadripoints in the world.
A similar example can be found in Baarle,
a town on the Netherlands–Belgium border, known for its complex patchwork of enclaves, counterneclaves and borders.
The Sorgschrofen quadripoint symbolizes the fascinating history and geography of the Austria–Germany border region, attracting geography enthusiasts and hikers alike.
Origin of the Enclave of Llívia
The origin of the Spanish enclave of Llívia dates back to the Peace of the Pyrenees (1659), when the Franco-Spanish border was redrawn in favor of France. The intention of the treaty was to align the border as closely as possible with the peaks of the Pyrenees Mountains. However, in the region of Cerdanya, this was not fully possible. As a result, the treaty stipulated that Spain would cede 33 villages in Cerdanya to France, including Llívia.
During the implementation of the treaty, Spanish authorities argued that Llívia was not
a village but a town, and therefore not covered by the agreement. This distinction was significant because Llívia had been granted town privileges (city rights) in the previous century by Emperor Charles V.
As a consequence, the Treaty of Llívia (Conventie van Llivia), signed on 12 November 1660, confirmed that Llívia would remain Spanish territory, despite being completely surrounded by France, on the condition that it would remain demilitarized and not fortified.
Over time, France made several attempts to acquire Llívia, but these requests were consistently rejected by Spain. The only exception occurred during the brief period when Catalonia was annexed by Napoleon (1812–1814), during which Llívia became French. However, even then it remained an exclave, forming part of the short-lived Sègre Department within the Pyrénées-Orientales region.
Llívia
Spanish exclave in France
_v1.png?etag=W%2F%22141f61-6a21dd1e%22&sourceContentType=image%2Fpng&quality=85 "Welcome to Llívia, Spanish enclave in France with 45 bordermarkers. Mojones (Mugas) de los Pirineos.")
Llívia
Spanish exclave in France
Ll_01 - Ll_10
Llivia
the bordermarkers
The Placement of the Border Markers
The precise delimitation of the border around Llívia was established much later through the Treaty of Bayonne (1866), which defined the boundary between France and Spain in greater detail.
Between 1868 and 1872, hundreds of boundary markers were installed along the Franco-Spanish border. Of these, 45 border markers were specifically placed around the enclave of Llívia, creating a clearly defined boundary between Spanish and French territory.
Characteristics of the Llívia Border Markers
The border markers surrounding Llívia are generally simple stone pillars, but they are historically significant. Each marker was carefully engraved to indicate the territories it separated. On the Spanish side, the stones bear the letters "LL", referring to Llívia. On the French side, they are marked with the initials of the neighboring French municipalities, including Caldégas and Sainte-Léocadie.
Today, the 45 historic border markers of Llívia remain important monuments of European border history. They serve as tangible reminders of the treaties that shaped the modern France–Spain border and of the unique legal status that allowed Llívia to remain Spanish despite being completely surrounded by France. For border enthusiasts, historians, and visitors to the Pyrenees, these markers offer a fascinating glimpse into one of Europe's most unusual territorial arrangements.
Ll_01
Border Marker 1: A Unique Tripoint at the Llívia Enclave
The first border marker of Llíviais located at a remarkable tripoint, where the boundaries of Caldégas, Ur, and Llívia meet. Although this is not an international tripoint between three countries, it is a unique location where two French municipalities and the Spanish enclave of Llívia converge. It's the only bordermarker with the number and UC (Ur and Caldeegas) on it.
This special boundary point highlights the complex history of the Llívia enclave, one of the most unusual territorial arrangements along the France–Spain border. For visitors interested in historic border markers, enclaves, and European border heritage, Border Marker 1 is a particularly noteworthy landmark and an excellent starting point for exploring the 45 boundary stones that surround Llívia.
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Llivia
the bordermarkers
Ll_02 - Ll_05
Next four border stones of Llívia mark the boundary between the Spanish enclave of Llívia and the French village of Caldégas. These historic markers form part of the unique France–Spain border surrounding Llívia and are important landmarks for anyone interested in border history, international boundaries, and the heritage of the Pyrenees region.
On the French side of the BM we find the number with the C of Caldégas.
Ll_06
Border Marker 6: A Unique Tripoint as well;
Caldégas, Sainte-Léocadie and Llívia
At Border Marker 6 (BM 6), we reach what is effectively a tripoint, the exact location where the boundaries of Caldégas, Sainte-Léocadie, and Llívia meet. While this is not an international tripoint between three countries, it is a fascinating point where two French municipalities and the Spanish enclave of Llívia converge.
This unique boundary location highlights the complex border history of the Llívia enclave and the surrounding France–Spain border region. For border enthusiasts and visitors exploring the historic boundary markers of Llívia, Border Marker 6 represents one of the most interesting points along the enclave's perimeter.
Ll_07 - 10
Border Marker 7 - 10:
The Boundary Between Llívia and Sainte-Léocadie
Starting at Border Marker 7, the French side of the boundary stones is marked with both the stone number and the letters "SL", which stand for the French municipality of Sainte-Léocadie.
From this point onward, the Spanish enclave of Llívia shares its border with Sainte-Léocadie, one of the neighboring French villages in the Cerdanya region. These historic border markers clearly identify the territories on either side of the boundary and form part of the unique network of 45 boundary stones surrounding Llívia.
For those interested in historic border markers, the Llívia enclave, and the France–Spain border, these stones provide a fascinating insight into the precise demarcation of one of Europe's most distinctive enclaves.
Ll_10
Llivia
the bordermarkers
Ll_39 -41
Llivia
the bordermarkers
Ll_42 Tripoint
Angoustrine, Ur and Llivía
Llivia
the bordermarkers
Border Marker 42: Another Unique Tripoint Angoustrine-Villeneuve-des-Escaldes, Ur and Llívia
At Border Marker 42 (BM 42), we encounter another remarkable tripoint, where the boundaries of Angoustrine-Villeneuve-des-Escaldes, Ur and the Spanish enclave of Llívia meet. Although this is not a tripoint between three countries, it is a fascinating location where two French municipalities and Spanish territory converge at a single point.
This boundary marker marks the transition between the neighboring French communes and highlights the unique geographical position of Llívia, one of Europe's most famous enclaves. The meeting of these three administrative boundaries provides an excellent example of the complex territorial arrangements that have existed in the Cerdanya region since the treaties that established the modern France–Spain border.
For those exploring the historic border markers of Llívia, Border Marker 42 is one of the most interesting stones along the enclave's perimeter. It not only marks an important boundary point but also illustrates the rich border history and unique landscape of the eastern Pyrenees.
Ll_43 - 45
Llivia
the bordermarkers
Border Marker 43: Challenging Boundary Stone
Border Marker 43 was one of the most difficult border markers to locate during my exploration of the Llívia enclave boundary. This may have been partly because I approached the marker from Border Marker 44, which required crossing several small waterways and navigating two wooded embankments.
The final embankment proved to be the most challenging. Hidden in the middle of this dense vegetation, Border Marker 43was difficult to spot and even harder to access.
Adding to the challenge, the area was occupied by a large herd of horses, including many young foals and several highly protective stallions. Their presence made it impossible to safely clear the vegetation around the stone or expose the marker fully to photograph its number and municipality markings.
Despite these obstacles, I was ultimately able to locate Border Marker 43, making it one of the most memorable discoveries among the 45 historic boundary stones surrounding Llívia. For border enthusiasts exploring the unique France–Spain enclave of Llívia, this marker is a perfect example of how rewarding—and sometimes challenging—the search for historic border markers can be.
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Ll_4 - 45
Llivia
the bordermarkers
.jpeg?etag=%2215b625-6a21d5b4%22&sourceContentType=image%2Fjpeg&ignoreAspectRatio&resize=2500,895&quality=85 "Discover the bordermarkers 1–45 of Llívia, the Spanish exclave. Mojones (Mugas) de los Pirineos.")
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