Micronations are small self-proclaimed entities that claim to be independent sovereign states, though not acknowledged by any official state or multinational political organization. Becoming a citizen of one of these "countries" is usually pretty easy — all you need is to fill out the questionnaire on the official website and sincerely share the views of its ruler.
Ladonia
This micronation, situated on the territory of the Kullaberg Nature Reserve in the south of Sweden, was founded by artist Lars Vilks as an art object, where he located his abstract sculptures. In June 1996, Vilks announced the independence of Ladonia, which was to become a haven for all those who want to make art a permanent and inseparable part of their lives, in contradiction to those who turn to it from time to time.
Ladonia has its own flag, emblem and two hymns: one is solemn and the other is… the sound of a stone falling into the water. The country, which has a population of 17,000, is ruled by a Queen and a President, the latter is elected every three years by online voting. The founder of the state, Lars Vilks, is neither the queen nor the president – and has proclaimed himself State Secretary. Despite its noble ideology, the small country turned out to be bellicose: in 2003, it declared war on Sweden and the United States, and then also on San Marino.
This micronation, situated on the territory of the Kullaberg Nature Reserve in the south of Sweden, was founded by artist Lars Vilks as an art object, where he located his abstract sculptures. In June 1996, Vilks announced the independence of Ladonia, which was to become a haven for all those who want to make art a permanent and inseparable part of their lives, in contradiction to those who turn to it from time to time.
Ladonia has its own flag, emblem and two hymns: one is solemn and the other is… the sound of a stone falling into the water. The country, which has a population of 17,000, is ruled by a Queen and a President, the latter is elected every three years by online voting. The founder of the state, Lars Vilks, is neither the queen nor the president – and has proclaimed himself State Secretary. Despite its noble ideology, the small country turned out to be bellicose: in 2003, it declared war on Sweden and the United States, and then also on San Marino.
Christiania
Freetown Christiania, a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, was founded in 1971. The history of Christiania has nothing to do with Christianity; on the contrary, it began with a rebellion, when several townspeople broke a fence at the corner of two Copenhagen streets. Beyond the fence, these curious Danes found an abandoned military barracks, which later became a shelter for eccentric youth. Hippies, artists, idealists and other dropouts from all over Europe proclaimed this area autonomous. Over the years, the cannabis trade has become legal in Freetown, which is why clashes with police forces loyal to Copenhagen are quite common there.
Freetown Christiania, a self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood in the Danish capital of Copenhagen, was founded in 1971. The history of Christiania has nothing to do with Christianity; on the contrary, it began with a rebellion, when several townspeople broke a fence at the corner of two Copenhagen streets. Beyond the fence, these curious Danes found an abandoned military barracks, which later became a shelter for eccentric youth. Hippies, artists, idealists and other dropouts from all over Europe proclaimed this area autonomous. Over the years, the cannabis trade has become legal in Freetown, which is why clashes with police forces loyal to Copenhagen are quite common there.
Sealand
The Principality of Sealand, an unrecognized island dwarf state located on the WWII anti-aircraft fortress Roughs Towers in the North Sea just 10 kilometers off the English coast, celebrated its 50th anniversary in September. In the 1960s, the man-made structure was used by retired major Paddy Roy Bates to create a pirate radio station. After the station went off the air in 1966, he declared the platform an independent state and proclaimed himself the Prince of Sealand and his family the ruling dynasty. Local sailors usually prefer to keep away from this "pirate island" due to its rulers’ inhospitality.
The Principality of Sealand, an unrecognized island dwarf state located on the WWII anti-aircraft fortress Roughs Towers in the North Sea just 10 kilometers off the English coast, celebrated its 50th anniversary in September. In the 1960s, the man-made structure was used by retired major Paddy Roy Bates to create a pirate radio station. After the station went off the air in 1966, he declared the platform an independent state and proclaimed himself the Prince of Sealand and his family the ruling dynasty. Local sailors usually prefer to keep away from this "pirate island" due to its rulers’ inhospitality.
Redonda
On June 2, 1865, Irish merchant Matthew Dowdy Shiel declared this uninhabited rocky island in the Caribbean Sea a "virtual" state and named himself the king of the land. In 1880, he handed over the reins to his son. Interestingly, there are some alternative rulers of the kingdom; one of them is Spanish writer Javier Marias, who described the history of the virtual state in his 1998 book “Negra espalda del tiempo” ("Dark Back of Time").
On June 2, 1865, Irish merchant Matthew Dowdy Shiel declared this uninhabited rocky island in the Caribbean Sea a "virtual" state and named himself the king of the land. In 1880, he handed over the reins to his son. Interestingly, there are some alternative rulers of the kingdom; one of them is Spanish writer Javier Marias, who described the history of the virtual state in his 1998 book “Negra espalda del tiempo” ("Dark Back of Time").
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© AP Photo / Darko Vojinovic
Liberland
The Free Republic of Liberland, created by Czech politician and activist Vit Jedlicka (fourth from left in the photo) in April 2015, is located on an uninhabited parcel of disputed land between Croatia and Serbia on the western bank of the Danube River. The constitution puts limits on the powers of politicians, and the motto of the country is "To live and let live." The republic even has its own website with instructions on how to become a citizen. Anyone who is ready to do something for the development of this state is welcomed (except for communists or nationalists). However, according to self-declared President Jedlicka, many potential migrants know nothing about libertarianism and only wish to leave Turkey, Egypt or Syria.
The Free Republic of Liberland, created by Czech politician and activist Vit Jedlicka (fourth from left in the photo) in April 2015, is located on an uninhabited parcel of disputed land between Croatia and Serbia on the western bank of the Danube River. The constitution puts limits on the powers of politicians, and the motto of the country is "To live and let live." The republic even has its own website with instructions on how to become a citizen. Anyone who is ready to do something for the development of this state is welcomed (except for communists or nationalists). However, according to self-declared President Jedlicka, many potential migrants know nothing about libertarianism and only wish to leave Turkey, Egypt or Syria.
Conch Republic
This self-proclaimed state was founded in 1982 on the Florida Keys archipelago in the US by then Mayor of Key West Dennis Wardlow. The prerequisite for its creation were the numerous complaints of local authorities to traffic jams that arose after the US Border Patrol set up a roadblock and inspection point there to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration. The Key West City Council repeatedly complained about the inconvenience for travelers to and from Key West, claiming that it was damaging the tourism industry. However, the complaints went unanswered and attempts to get an injunction against the roadblock failed in court – that’s when Wardlow (who later appointed himself the prime minister of the republic) declared Key West's independence as a form of protest.
This self-proclaimed state was founded in 1982 on the Florida Keys archipelago in the US by then Mayor of Key West Dennis Wardlow. The prerequisite for its creation were the numerous complaints of local authorities to traffic jams that arose after the US Border Patrol set up a roadblock and inspection point there to combat drug trafficking and illegal migration. The Key West City Council repeatedly complained about the inconvenience for travelers to and from Key West, claiming that it was damaging the tourism industry. However, the complaints went unanswered and attempts to get an injunction against the roadblock failed in court – that’s when Wardlow (who later appointed himself the prime minister of the republic) declared Key West's independence as a form of protest.
The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom
In 2004, a group of gay rights activists claimed territory over a group of uninhabited islets east of the Great Barrier Reef spread over a vast area in response to the Australian government's refusal to recognize same-sex marriages. Since then it has been known to the world as the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands – the world’s first state for same-sex couples. According to 2012 data, it has a ”virtual” population of 15,000 people. Any representative of sexual minorities is automatically eligible to claim citizenship.
In 2004, a group of gay rights activists claimed territory over a group of uninhabited islets east of the Great Barrier Reef spread over a vast area in response to the Australian government's refusal to recognize same-sex marriages. Since then it has been known to the world as the Gay and Lesbian Kingdom of the Coral Sea Islands – the world’s first state for same-sex couples. According to 2012 data, it has a ”virtual” population of 15,000 people. Any representative of sexual minorities is automatically eligible to claim citizenship.
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