Micronations
Micronations are self-proclaimed independent states that are not recognized by other countries. Often whimsical or artistic, they are usually small and eccentric enough to fly under the radar of the "real" countries they're located in, and many are tourist destinations.
Destinations
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Map of Micronations
Asia
[edit]- Alcohol Republic (アルコール共和国), Sado Island, Japan. A merry band of sake makers on an island in northern Japan issues passports (¥500) that can be stamped at participating breweries to prove your citizenship and devotion to the cause.
- 1 Akhzivland, Israel. A long-running micronation on the Lebanese border, with a popular guest house and campground.
Europe
[edit]- See also: European microstates
- 2 Christiania, Copenhagen, Denmark. A district of Copenhagen, formerly a military zone, that has been squatted since 1971, and remains today an autonomous community (with its own laws that, among other things, include legalisation of cannabis, but the prohibition of harder drugs) of about 850 people, calling itself Freetown Christiania (Danish: Fristaden Christiania).
- 3 Great Saltee Island, Kilmore Quay. An island off the south coast of County Wexford.
- 4 Kugelmugel, Vienna, Austria. An uninhabited sphere 7.68 metres (25.2 ft) in diameter permanently housed in Vienna's Wurstelprater amusement park.
- 5 Liberland (in Croatia–Serbia border). Inhabits a geographical oddity: a parcel of land on the western bank of the Danube that, for complex political reasons, is claimed by neither country.
- 6 Sealand, Felixstowe United Kingdom. A sea fort which in 1967 declared itself independent.
- 7 Seborga, Italy. A village in Italy which has discovered it's never been conquered by Italy and now it claims itself as a sovereign state.
- 8 Užupis, Vilnius, Lithuania. A district of Vilnius that declared itself an independent republic on April Fools Day 1997, and maintains its own flag, currency, president, and constitution which declares, among other things, that a "dog has a right to be a dog".
North America
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- 9 Conch Republic, Key West, Florida, United States of America.
- 10 Republic of Molossia, Nevada, United States of America. Can be visited by appointment only, with slots available about once a month from April to October.
- 11 Republic of Slowjamastan, Imperial County, California (off California State Route 78 between Ocotillo Wells and Westmorland). The United Territories of the Sovereign Nation of The People’s Republic of Slowjamastan occupies 11.07 acres (4.48 hectares) of southern California desert, where Crocs are illegal and seats in the rubber-stamp parliament can be bought for just $35. Visitors require a visa (apply online) to enter the republic; it holds occasional events, announced in state news outlet The Sultan Sun. Or you can always stop by unannounced to take pictures of the border signs.
Defunct micronations
[edit]- Hutt River Principality, Kalbarri, Australia. One of the more famous micronations and, at 75 square kilometres (29 sq mi), certainly one of the larger ones, seceded from Australia over a tax dispute in 1970. Alas, the micronation was officially dissolved in 2020 after the death of its regent Prince Leonard.
Stay safe
[edit]Some micronations offer to stamp your passport on entry. It may be wise to use an expired passport for this, to avoid possible hassles from border control officers in the future.