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Snake IslandSnake Island (Romanian: Insula şerpilor, Ukrainian: ostriv Zmiyinyy) is an isle in the Black Sea, currently claimed by both Ukraine and Romania, but administered by Ukraine and included in its Odes'ka oblast'. Geography The island is located 44 km from the coast, east of the mouth of the Danube River. It covers an area of 0.17 km2, and it is 0.6 km at its greatest extent. The nearest city on the coast is Sulina, Romania. Population Snake Island has about 100 inhabitants (Ukrainian Army and frontier guard servicemen with their families). Helicopter is the only connection to the continent, but pier and harbour costructing is underway. History It was named by the Greeks Leuce Island (White Island; it was also known as Alba or Achilleis), probably because of the white marble formations that can be found on the isle. Several temples of Thracian Apollo can be found here. Also, as the Greek mythology says, the remains of Achilles were brought to this island by Thetis, to be put in a sanctuary. Ruins believed to be of of a temple dedicated to Achilles were discovered in 1823. During the Cold War, a Soviet radar post was built on the isle (for both naval and anti-aircraft purposes). Later, significant oil and gas deposits were discovered under the sea bottom nearby. After 1991, Ukraine took control over the isle, although Romania consistently claims it should be included in her territory (since there was no treaty that said otherwise). According to the Romanian side, in the peace treaties of 1918 and 1920 (after WWI), the isle was considered part of Romania, and it was not mentioned in the 1947 frontiers changing treaty between Romania and the Soviet Union. Due to the isle's geographic position, its possession dramatically affects the frontier line between the two countries. That is why Romanian diplomats also claim that Snake Island is not an isle/island, but a cliff (which has a different role in international law). Ukrainian authorities are now trying to demilitarize and develop the isle rapidly, mostly in an attempt to prove its island status. There are plans to establish fishing infrastructure there. In 2004, the Ukrainian authorities announced that a post office and a branch of the Ukrainian Aval bank were opened on the Snake Island to service the growing civil activities there. External links
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