Isla Aves

Aves (Spanish Isla de Aves, " Bird Island "), even Bird Iceland is claimed by Venezuela, uninhabited island in the Caribbean Sea. Administratively, the island belongs to the Venezuelan Federal Territories ( Dependencias Federales ). Venezuela claims are doubted by several Caribbean island states.

Aves is a resting and breeding site for seabirds and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas).

Geography

Aves is 375 meters long, never more than 50 meters wide and rises on calm days 4 meters above the sea level. During hurricanes, it is sometimes completely flooded. Because of their low height, it is dangerous for navigation, many ships ran at base. Its area is about 6,500 m² ( 0.0065 km ²).

The island is located about 180 km south-west of Montserrat, about 230 km west of Dominica and just under 550 km north of the Venezuelan mainland.

History

The island was probably discovered in 1584 by Avaro Sanzze. It was claimed by Great Britain, Spain, Portugal and the Netherlands. From 1878 to 1912 she was inhabited by American guano farmers until the deposits were mined. In 1895 she was claimed by President Joaquín Crespo for Venezuela. In fact, however, Venezuela took the island in 1950 in possession, ended up as a Marine unit.

Economic zone

Some Caribbean countries, including Dominica, have complained that Venezuelan strain of an exclusive economic zone of 200 nautical miles (370 km) to the island was a breach of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS ) of 1982. This prohibits the territorial claims of more than 12 nautical miles ( 22 km) of uninhabited islands. Venezuela has not signed this convention, however, tried to show with a built on stilts research and military station habitability of the island. With mutual signing of the Petrocaribe Treaty between Venezuela and many of the Caribbean countries, the conflict with the Caribbean Community ( CARICOM) could be defused.

Station

On June 2, 1978, the Venezuelan Navy built a scientific naval base on the west side near the southern foothills of the island. The station with the name of Simón Bolívar was built as a platform on stilts, standing in water partially. She is permanently inhabited by scientists and marine relatives.