Micronations

[deltic1989]

Ive been looking into this a little bit lately after hearing about the Principality of Sealand Linkand the Principality of Hutt River Link.
It got me rather interested in the mechanics of this kind of thing.
It seems that the two 'nations' detailed above have either declared their land an independent state or just taken over an unclaimed area and called it a country. I'm wondering if it is really that easy? Could I buy a plot of land and then declare it an independent state with me as King, or Prince?
I am someone who understands very little of politics so it may not be so simple, but it seems like an interesting idea.

 

[W-on-Sea]

It's one thing to call somewhere a country, quite another to get anyone else to recognise it as such in anything like an official capacity...

 

[deltic1989]

Both the places detailed above claim to be de facto recognised. Sealand by Germany and Hutt River by Australia.
I do understand what you are saying though from a little bit of further reading I have discovered that it wouldn't be as simple as declaring my house as a sovereign state as even though I have paid for it it is still within the borders of the United Kingdom and thus already claimed as sovereign territory. from what I read if I did try to claim independence then it could technically be seen as an act of war or invasion and could see me the subject of military action. As has actually been the case for some Micronations.

 

[wintonian]

The thing with sealand is that it was abandoned and located outside the 3mile limit, although it is now inside the 12 mile limit.

I believe there was a one time a plan (under Thatcher?) for the royal Marines to retake control, but for reasons that I forget, which might be related to the coup that was staged, it was decided just to ignore the guy and let him get on with it.

Incidentally rummer has it that the Pirate Bay considered converting it to host their servers, but naturally that's never been confirmed or denied.

I see the guy who founded it has now died, with it now being run by his son.

Sealands official website used to wroth laugh but I've not looked for a while. Theres also Facebook as well of course.

 

[LE Greys]

The thing with sealand is that it was abandoned and located outside the 3mile limit, although it is now inside the 12 mile limit.

I believe there was a one time a plan (under Thatcher?) for the royal Marines to retake control, but for reasons that I forget, which might be related to the coup that was staged, it was decided just to ignore the guy and let him get on with it.

Incidentally rummer has it that the Pirate Bay considered converting it to host their servers, but naturally that's never been confirmed or denied.

I see the guy who founded it has now died, with it now being run by his son.

Sealands official website used to wroth laugh but I've not looked for a while. Theres also Facebook as well of course.

There was also the incident where Greenpeace tried to claim Rockall as a micronation, they called it Waveland ('official' site). The Government promptly gave them permission to be there (Rockall is AFAIK a British territory, but also claimed by Ireland, Iceland and anyone else who fancies a Herring quota) and ignored them until they left. I've never owned a blue-water yacht, but if I did, I would want to head out there and reinstate the British claim.

Some of the smaller, personal ones have big ambitions, indeed Molossia and Vikesland have a joint space programme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-M_ylCIb9w

 

[Mutant Lemming]

...and Pimlico in the late 40's

 

[LE Greys]

...and Pimlico in the late 40's

I've never seen that one, but have seen The Mouse that Roared, although Grand Fenwick is a bit older than what we're calling a micronation here, it's one of the bits of Europe left over.