Retro Yakking

You thought you’d read about some downright weird mini nations in the first part of this post, but let me say that you ain’t seen nothing yet.

A micronation can be roughly defined as an entity that claims to be an independent country, state or area, but is not officially recognised as such. The beauty of this is that any old fool can create their own pseudo country in their house, boat or even disused sea port.

You could even try it yourself! All you need is a piece of unclaimed land. Heck, you don’t even need that: why not claim parts of the moon, or alien planets?

For the purposes of this post, Retro Yakking shall define a micronation as a country that is notable enough for its own entry on Wikipedia.

► Operation Atlantis
Bahamas, Caribbean

Remember that episode of The Simpsons where Homer sails to international waters in order to buy as much alcohol as he wants? Well, radical libertarian Werner Stiefel had the exact same dream: to create a new country free of the US’s draconian laws. The plan was to send a ferro-concrete boat into international waters, specifically a location close to the Bahamas.

Much like Homer’s brilliant scheme, however, Stiefel’s plan fell flat on its face. The boat was not invaded by Chinese pirates as The Simpsons were, but due to poor design began to disintegrate and eventually sank in a hurricane.

► Republic of Molossia
Nevada, USA

When Kevin Baugh was a child, he dreamed of having his own country. He and his friend James Spielman would pretend to be the King and Prime Minister of their very own nation, namely Baugh’s house and surrounding area.

In the late nineties, Baugh’s dream became a reality as the Republic of Molassia evolved into a territorial entity spanning over fourteen acres. Today, it even has its own postal system and stamps.

► Republic of Minerva
Pacific Ocean

Vegas millionaire and political activist Michael Oliver decided to create his own artificial island in 1972. It was to be a libertarian paradise, with “no taxation, welfare, subsidies, or any form of economic interventionism.”

The Minerva Reef, a site in the Pacific Ocean near to Tonga, was chosen as the location for the island. Barges filled with sand were sent to bring the island above sea level, and a small tower and flag were erected. However, this was as far as the project got - Tongan authorities became suspicious and claimed the reef as their own. It seems that Minerva’s downfall lay in the fact nobody was prepared to fight for the country’s freedom - kind of ironic for a so-called libertarian state.

► Crown Dependency of Forvik
Shetland, UK

In 2001, yachtsman Stuart Hill became shipwrecked in Shetland whilst attempting to circumnavigate the British Isles. He subsequently settled in Cunningsburgh, and in 2008 purchased and laid claim to the Island of Forewick Holm.

Locals are variously critical and in support of Hill, who has earned the nickname ‘Captain Calamity’ and has been described by a local politician as “a King caught half way between a bucket of ridicule and a bucket of excrement”.

► Kingdom of Redonda
Leeward Islands, West Indies

Completely uninhabitable, Redonda is a tiny, rocky island that lies halfway between Nevis and Montserrat. The exact origin of the kingdom is unknown, though it is most likely a fabrication created by fantasy writer M. P. Shiel. The most retold version of the story goes that his father, a banker from Montserrat, claimed the island in the absence of an existing owner.

In 2007, the Wellington Arms Pub in Southampton attempted to upgrade itself to an embassy of Redonda in order to avoid the newly-enforced smoking ban. In a lavish ceremony, owner Bob Beech was given an honorary knighthood and the pub named an official consulate of Redonda. However, Beech was unable to attain embassy status for the pub on the grounds that the Kingdom of Redonda does not exist.

Take that.

Trackback URI | Comments RSS