Meaus facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Meaus
Village
A view of Meaus
Meaus Location in Spain
Country	Spain
Autonomous Community	Galicia
Province	Ourense
Municipality	Baltar
Population  (2007)
• Total	38

Meaus is a small village located in the northwest of Spain. It is part of the Baltar municipality, which is in the Ourense province, within the region of Galicia. In 2007, about 38 people lived in Meaus.

Meaus is especially interesting because of its unique history. For a long time, until 1868, it was part of a special place called the Couto Misto. This area was almost like its own tiny country!

The Unique History of Couto Misto

Meaus was one of three villages that made up the Couto Misto. The other two were Santiago and Rubiás. This area was located right on the border between Spain and Portugal. For centuries, it was a very special place that had its own rules and was largely independent from both countries.

What Made Couto Misto Special?

The Couto Misto was known for its unique freedoms and rights. People living there had many special privileges that were not common in other places.

• No Taxes: The residents of Couto Misto did not have to pay taxes to either the Spanish or Portuguese governments. This was a huge advantage!
• Self-Government: The villages had their own local government. They made their own decisions about how to run their communities.
• Safe Haven: The Couto Misto was a safe place for people escaping trouble from either Spain or Portugal. If someone was in danger, they could find protection there.
• Special Roads: The people of Couto Misto could use special roads to travel between Spain and Portugal without any problems. This was very helpful for trade and travel.
• Own Laws: They even had their own laws and customs, which were different from those in the surrounding areas.

How Did It End?

The special status of the Couto Misto lasted for many hundreds of years. However, in 1868, Spain and Portugal signed a treaty called the Treaty of Lisbon. This treaty decided to divide the Couto Misto between the two countries.

After the treaty, Meaus and Santiago became part of Spain. Rubiás became part of Portugal. This marked the end of the Couto Misto as an independent area. Even today, the history of the Couto Misto is a fascinating example of a small community that managed to maintain its freedom for a very long time.

See also

In Spanish: Meaus para niños