It’s largely an accepted fact that there are 195 countries in existence, but not everyone agrees.
Among those who would oppose this statement are the residents of the world’s weird and wonderful micronations.
While some of these self-proclaimed nations began for noble political reasons, many of them were born out of nothing more than a joke. I'd like to pitch an article about 6 of the craziest ones.
The Republic of Molossia
Kevin Baugh was a teenager when he dreamed up his own micronation in his bedroom.
In 1999 his nation transformed into the Republic of Molossia, with Baugh installed as president.
The country - which is surrounded by the US state of Nevada - solely comprises the Government House on an acre of territory where Baugh lives with his family.
The nation has its own currency, which is printed on poker chips and valued against raw cookie dough and has laid claim to 50,000 acres of land on Venus.
The Republic of Saugeais
The Republic of Saugeais - located in Eastern France - started as a whimsical joke between restaurant owner Georges Pourchet, who would go on to become the first president of the republic,and a customer. The micronation measures 125 square km and is made up of 11 communes of France’s Haut-Doubs region, with Montbenoît being the capital.
A tongue-in-cheek folk republic that sprung up in 1947, Saugeais has its own president, national anthem and flag. There’s also a number of ambassadors and over 300 honorary citizens, while a Saugeais bank note was released in 1997 and a stamp in 1987.
Unusually, the people of the republic do not seem to have any interest in gaining real independence.
Hutt River Principality
The Hutt River Principality broke from Western Australia back in 1970 after a dispute over wheat quotas.
It was run by its founder - Prince Leonard - until his failing health led him to pass the crown onto his 52-year-old son, Prince Graeme, in 2017. It has a population of around 30 people, with 8,000 other passport holders living around the world. While the principality has not been formally recognized by any government, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain wrote to Prince Leonard, wishing his micronation a “successful and enjoyable” 46th anniversary.
Ladonia
Ladonia declared itself independent from Sweden in 1996, and by 1998 it had over 1,000 citizens, a president and a queen.
Since then Ladonia has developed its own language, consisting of two words (“waaaall” and “ÿp”), composed two national anthems, and created its own currency - the Örtug. No-one actually lives in “proud and free” Ladonia, but visit and you’ll find fantastical sculptures deep in the idyllic Swedish woodland.
There are also many quirky National Holidays, including ‘The Day of Artful Jumps’ and ‘St Anders of the Holy Computer Day’.
The Principality of Seborga
The people of The Principality of Seborga believe their idyllic hilltop village should be separate from Italy thanks to its historic independence.
Locals claim that when it was sold to the Savoy dynasty in 1729, the deal was never properly registered, and so the 1861 unification of Italy does not apply.
The principality was dreamt up by flower grower Giorgio Carbone, who would go on to become Prince Giorgio I. After his death, businessman Marcello Menegatto - who styles himself His Tremendousness Marcello I - was elected head of state, but in 2016 a Frenchman named Nicholas Mutte challenged the title, saying he would do a better job.
It has an ancient prison and a Museum of Ancient Musical Instruments.
Akhzivland
Akhzivland is the brainchild of Eli Avivi, who was democratically elected - by himself - to the position of President for Life. It is situated in Israel, close to the Lebanese border, and constitutes a 3.5-acre former fishing village which Avivi found abandoned in 1952.
After issues with the government who wanted the land, Avivi declared Akhzivland an independent state in 1971, and it became a true hippie haven, drawing in bohemians from far and wide. The micronation also attracted A-listers such as Paul Newman and Sophia Loren, and held a huge music festival, but there are only two permanent residents: Avivi and his first lady.
It has its own flag, national anthem, and National Museum.
Among those who would oppose this statement are the residents of the world’s weird and wonderful micronations.
While some of these self-proclaimed nations began for noble political reasons, many of them were born out of nothing more than a joke. I'd like to pitch an article about 6 of the craziest ones.
The Republic of Molossia
Kevin Baugh was a teenager when he dreamed up his own micronation in his bedroom.
In 1999 his nation transformed into the Republic of Molossia, with Baugh installed as president.
The country - which is surrounded by the US state of Nevada - solely comprises the Government House on an acre of territory where Baugh lives with his family.
The nation has its own currency, which is printed on poker chips and valued against raw cookie dough and has laid claim to 50,000 acres of land on Venus.
The Republic of Saugeais
The Republic of Saugeais - located in Eastern France - started as a whimsical joke between restaurant owner Georges Pourchet, who would go on to become the first president of the republic,and a customer. The micronation measures 125 square km and is made up of 11 communes of France’s Haut-Doubs region, with Montbenoît being the capital.
A tongue-in-cheek folk republic that sprung up in 1947, Saugeais has its own president, national anthem and flag. There’s also a number of ambassadors and over 300 honorary citizens, while a Saugeais bank note was released in 1997 and a stamp in 1987.
Unusually, the people of the republic do not seem to have any interest in gaining real independence.
Hutt River Principality
The Hutt River Principality broke from Western Australia back in 1970 after a dispute over wheat quotas.
It was run by its founder - Prince Leonard - until his failing health led him to pass the crown onto his 52-year-old son, Prince Graeme, in 2017. It has a population of around 30 people, with 8,000 other passport holders living around the world. While the principality has not been formally recognized by any government, Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain wrote to Prince Leonard, wishing his micronation a “successful and enjoyable” 46th anniversary.
Ladonia
Ladonia declared itself independent from Sweden in 1996, and by 1998 it had over 1,000 citizens, a president and a queen.
Since then Ladonia has developed its own language, consisting of two words (“waaaall” and “ÿp”), composed two national anthems, and created its own currency - the Örtug. No-one actually lives in “proud and free” Ladonia, but visit and you’ll find fantastical sculptures deep in the idyllic Swedish woodland.
There are also many quirky National Holidays, including ‘The Day of Artful Jumps’ and ‘St Anders of the Holy Computer Day’.
The Principality of Seborga
The people of The Principality of Seborga believe their idyllic hilltop village should be separate from Italy thanks to its historic independence.
Locals claim that when it was sold to the Savoy dynasty in 1729, the deal was never properly registered, and so the 1861 unification of Italy does not apply.
The principality was dreamt up by flower grower Giorgio Carbone, who would go on to become Prince Giorgio I. After his death, businessman Marcello Menegatto - who styles himself His Tremendousness Marcello I - was elected head of state, but in 2016 a Frenchman named Nicholas Mutte challenged the title, saying he would do a better job.
It has an ancient prison and a Museum of Ancient Musical Instruments.
Akhzivland
Akhzivland is the brainchild of Eli Avivi, who was democratically elected - by himself - to the position of President for Life. It is situated in Israel, close to the Lebanese border, and constitutes a 3.5-acre former fishing village which Avivi found abandoned in 1952.
After issues with the government who wanted the land, Avivi declared Akhzivland an independent state in 1971, and it became a true hippie haven, drawing in bohemians from far and wide. The micronation also attracted A-listers such as Paul Newman and Sophia Loren, and held a huge music festival, but there are only two permanent residents: Avivi and his first lady.
It has its own flag, national anthem, and National Museum.
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