The Twists Of Micronations
Micronations are more often than not expressions of political protest, artistic expression, theoretical experimentation, personal entertainment, or the result of criminal activity. Some micronations issue passports, postage stamps, coins and medals and have flags.
The latest list of micronations discloses just how diverse they are, both in location, political and social alliance.
Whangamomona Republic was establised as a tourism booster in 1989, in a rural town in New Zealand. The locals disagreed with the government when it disclosed plans to alter the area's district boundaries. A poodle and a goat and are among the past-elected presidents. Visitors are given a Whangamomona passport.
Formed in Australia in 1978The Aeterna Lucina micronation, with a self-proclaimed baron, Paul Baron Neuman. Several associated businessmen were charged in 1990, with land and visa fraud.
Aromoana was formed in 1980 when a small New Zealand community declared itself independent, as a protest against the building of an aluminum smelter on nearby land.
Atlantium, created in1981, is a global sovereignty group based in Australia. It was founded by George Francis Cruishank.
Austenasia was created in 2008 by Johathan Austen. It has a constitutional monarchy and three privately owned properties, declared independent in South London.
Founded in the 1980s by eccentric self-proclaimed duke, John Charlton Rudge, Avram, is a non-territorial micronation in Tasmania, Australia. Rudge was later elected to the Tasmanian state parliament.
British West Florida founded in 2005, was intended to revive the British colony of the same name.
Barony of Caux, formed 2001, an absolute feudal barony, has approximately 80 subjects worldwide. The baron, John V Corbett, lives in Ontario, Canada.
The Conch Republic, formed in1982, in the Florida Keys, claimed independence from the USA, under the leadership of Dennis Wardlow.
Copeman Empire, founded 2003, is run from a caravan park in Norfolk, England, by Nick Copeman. He calls himself HM King Nicholas 1.
The Gay and Lesbian Kingdom, established 2004, of the Coral Sea Islands, is a political protest. It is run by Dale Anderson, based in southeast Queensland, Australia.
A group of school teachers founded Elleore in 1944 as a summer camp on the island of Elleore, Denmark.
Deemed a scam for selling passports and diplomatic papers, EnenKio was formed in 1994. It claims Wake Atoll in the Marshall Islands.
An islet in the Shetland, was declared independent from Scotland in 2008, when Stuart Hill formed Forvik.
Frestonia developed out of a legal dispute in 1977. The argument was over the unauthorized performance by Heathcote Willims, of his play the Immortalist.
Run by Maharaja Adhiraj Rajaraam, Global Country of World Peace, established in 2000, says it is a country without borders, for peace loving people everywhere. Its capital is in Iowa.
Based in Bosnia and Herzegovina and formed in2002, Hajducka Repoblika Mijata Tomica is a protest project. It began with problems over local electricity supplies.
As a publicity stunt Hay-on-Wye in Wales was declared independent in 1977, by Richard Booth.
Known as the Hutt River Province and established in 1970, Hutt River is a large farm in Western Australia.
Kugelmugel, built by artist Edwin Lipburger, is a ball-shaped house located in Vienna Prater, was established in 1984. Lipburger was protesting against building permits.
As the home of sculpturers in north-west Skane Ladonia, was created by Swedish artist Lars Viks in 1980.
Lagoan Isles, founded in 2005, is operated by self-proclaimed Grand Duke Louis Stephans. He claims that the three tiny islands of Portsmouth pond are not the property of the local council.
Denys Tremblay created L'Anse-Saint-Jean in 1997, to promote tourism in a tiny town of Quebec.
Internet-based Kingdom of Lovely was formed in 2004 by Danny Wallace, as part of the BBC TV series How to Start Your Own Country.
Lundy, established in 1925, is an island off the west coast of England, which has had semi-independent status under several warlords.
Melchizedek, established 1986, is known for facilitating large scale banking fraud in many parts of the world. It is run by Richard James McDonald.
Occupying a semi-rural residential acreage in Nevada Molassia was founded by Kevin Baugh in1977. Baugh uses poker chips as money.
Northern Forest Archipelago, established 1998, is environmentally focused. It is located in the northeastern U.S.A. It has several privately-owned properties in the Northern Forest area of New York State.
Nova Roma, established in1998, is an organization of Roman revivalists.
Located in the Czech Republic, the Other World Kingdom, 1996, is an absolute monarchy/matriarchy where women rule over all men.
Pescenica is a 1990's satirical parodical project, ruled by dictator Zeljko Malnar and located in Croatia.
Rainbow Creek, was founded when Tomas Barnes seceded from Victoria, Australia, in 1979, over damage to farmlands caused by flooding.
Located in eastern France, Saugeais, 1947, is an officially recognized micronation.
Also known as HRH Prince Roy, Paddy Roy Bates commandeered Sealand in 1967. It rises up out of the ocean, as a manmade World War II base off the coast of England.
Serboga, formed in 954, claims it has never been part of the modern Italian state.
Talossa was formed as a bedroom kingdom in 1979, in Wisconsin, by Robert Ben Madison.
Uzupis, founded in Lithuania in 1997, has its own currency, president flag and constitution.
For the purposes of a TV documentary, Vikesland was establilshed in Canada in 2005.
Created as a joke, Valtio was formed by Ari Peltonen in 2006. It is situated in Finland.
Wanstonia was established in 1994 by protestors against the M11 motorway link road, in north-east London.
Waveland was founded in 1997 to protest oil drilling in the area. It is located on a rocky islet in the North Atlantic.
Westarctica, established in 1989, says it claims a large chunk of unclaimed land in Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica.
Wirtland is an experiment into legitimacy and self-sustainability, of a micronation without its own soil. It transcends national borders and was formed in 2008.