An enclave is a territory surrounded on all sides by the territory of one foreign state, whereas an exclave is a part of a state separated from its main territory by foreign territory. The difference lies in perspective: an enclave is defined by its surroundings, while an exclave is defined by the state to which it belongs. The same piece of land can be both.
To sum it up
- Enclave – a territory completely surrounded by one foreign state (for example, the Vatican, San Marino, Lesotho).
- exclave – a fragment of a state cut off from the rest of its territory (for example, the Kaliningrad region, Nakhchivan).
- The territory can be both an enclave and an exclave at the same time – for example, Spanish Libya in France or German Büsingen in Switzerland.
- An independent enclaved state is not an exclave, and an exclave with access to the sea is not an enclave.
Enclave - what is it?
Enclave An enclave is a territory bordered along its entire length by only one country. We look at it from the outside: we're interested in who surrounds it. Whether the enclave is an independent state or part of another country is irrelevant.
There are three independent enclave states in the world: Vatican и San Marino (surrounded by Italy) and Lesotho (surrounded by South Africa). None of them are exclaves, as they are not separate parts of another country—they are simply countries located entirely within the territory of a neighboring country.
The word "enclave" is also used figuratively: a natural, linguistic, or cultural enclave is an area that is clearly distinct from the surrounding area, such as a patch of forest among fields or a village where a different language is spoken than in the region.
Exclave – what is it?
exclave — is a part of a state's territory (or administrative unit) that is not connected by land to the rest of its territory. Here we will examine it from the inside: from the perspective of the country that owns the land "in exile.".
The closest example to Poland is Kaliningrad Oblast – a part of Russia located between Poland, Lithuania, and the Baltic Sea. Other known exclaves include Nakhchivan in Azerbaijan (separated from the rest of the country by Armenian territory) and Spanish cities Ceuta and Melilla on the northern coast of Africa.
None of these exclaves are enclaves. The Kaliningrad region borders two countries and has access to the sea, Nakhchivan borders several countries, and Ceuta and Melilla are located on the coast. An enclave is defined as a territory surrounded on all sides. one state.
Enclave vs. Exclave Comparison Chart
| Characteristic | Enclave | exclave |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A territory surrounded on all sides by a single foreign country. | A part of a state separated from its main territory. |
| Point of view | External ones are those who surround the given territory. | Internal – who owns this territory? |
| Could this be a state? | Yes (Vatican City, San Marino, Lesotho) | No, it is always just a fragment of a larger whole. |
| Access to the sea | This excludes the concept of an enclave in the strict sense of the word. | Possibly (for example, Kaliningrad region) |
| Number of neighbors | Exactly one | One or more |
| Example of the word "only"« | Lesotho in South Africa | Nakhchivan (Azerbaijan) |
| An example of the use of the word "simultaneously"« | Llivia, Büsingen am Hochrhein, Baarle-Hertog | |
When is a territory both an enclave and an exclave?
When a territory belongs to one state, it does not contiguous with it and is completely surrounded by another state. These are two descriptions of the same situation, viewed from opposite sides of the border.
- Libya — a Catalan city belonging to Spain but located entirely within France. It is an exclave for Spain and an enclave for France.
- Büsingen am Hochrhein — a German municipality bordering Switzerland. Politically, it belongs to Germany, but economically it is part of the Swiss customs zone, and the currency used there is predominantly the Swiss franc.
- Baarle-Hertog and Baarle-Nassau On the Belgian-Dutch border, the Dutch municipality of Baarle-Nassau is surrounded by 22 Belgian exclaves, some of which also contain Dutch "counter-enclaves." The border there runs through streets and even buildings.
Another interesting case is the largest Bangladeshi enclave in India, Dahagram-Angarpota . Since 1992, it has been connected to Bangladesh by the narrow Tin Bigha Corridor, leased from India. In 2015, India and Bangladesh exchanged most of their enclaves on their shared border, but Dahagram-Angarpota remained part of Bangladesh.
How to remember the difference and recognize the type of terrain?
The Latin origin of the prefixes helps to understand the essence: en-/in- implies "inside" (something enclosed inside), and ex-/ex- — "outside" (something extending beyond the main body). An enclave is located within another country, an exclave is outside one's own.
Given a specific example, ask yourself two questions:
- Is this territory entirely within the territory of one country? If so, is it an enclave of that country?
- Does this territory belong to a country with which it has no land connection? If so, it is an exclave of that country.
Two "yes" answers mean that we are dealing with a territory that is both an enclave and an exclave. Similar concepts are used in administrative divisions—in Poland, there are also fragments of municipalities or counties separated from the rest of the administrative unit. At the national level, Poland currently has neither enclaves nor exclaves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Kaliningrad an enclave or an exclave?
The Kaliningrad Oblast is an exclave of Russia. It is not an enclave, as it borders two countries (Poland and Lithuania) and has access to the Baltic Sea.
Is the Vatican an enclave or an exclave?
The Vatican is an enclave, completely surrounded by Italian territory. It is not an exclave, as it is an independent state, not a separate part of another country.
How many enclave states are there in the world?
Three cities: the Vatican and San Marino in Italy, and Lesotho in South Africa.
Can one place be both an enclave and an exclave?
Yes. The Spanish town of Llívia is an exclave of Spain and simultaneously an enclave of France. Similarly, the German town of Büsingen am Hochrhein is surrounded by Switzerland.
Are there enclaves or exclaves in Poland?
At the national level, no. However, this phenomenon is observed in administrative units, when part of a commune or district is separated from the rest of the neighboring territory.
See also
- What is the difference between a country and a state?
- What is the difference between the GDR and the FRG?
- What is the difference between public administration and local government?
- What is the difference between a real union and a personal union?