States that have governments, their own currencies and central banks. But which does not exist
Have you heard of the Kingdom of Redonda? What about the Grand Duchy of Avram (where the local currency – the avram – is equal to the euro)?
If you've seen the movie “Rose Island” you know what I mean. A true story in which Georgio Rosa, a Bolognese engineer, builds his own island off the Italian coast. Then he raised it to the rank of a nation and finally his republic was crushed by the Government. There are dozens of such micro-nations in the world.
Westarctica – Grand Duchy well organized
Westarctica is an unrecognized Antarctic micronation founded in 2001 by Travis McHenry, who now calls himself Grand Duke Travis. The micronation occupies land in West Antarctica that has not been claimed by any other nation-state.
It has a prime minister, a minister of foreign affairs, of culture, of communications… all the stuff. I'm not talking about the website, very well done.
The Grand Duchy of Abram. For 33 years
It was established in the early 1980s by Tasmanian John Charlton Rudge, self-titled “The Grand Duke of AvramHe also runs the Royal Bank of Avram, which was based in Rudge's business premises in George Town.
The “bank” issues its own notes and coins, and visitors are required to exchange their national currencies for “avrami”.
Because he did not have a banking license, Avram Bank attracted the attention of the Australian government, which seized all of Rudge's money and initiated legal proceedings against him. After a trial that cost the federal government around $22 million, the courts ruled that Rudge had not engaged in any illegal activity and ordered the return of all seized assets.
Rudge was allowed to resume his banking practices. He has issued several sets of coins and notes in the name of the Royal Bank of Abram since the 1980s.
Liberland. Free Republic of Liberland
In Croatia we have Liberland. It was proclaimed on 13 April 2015 by Czech right-wing libertarian politician and activist Vít Jedlička.
The official site of Liberland states that the nation was created following the Croatia-Serbia border dispute. According to Jedlička, this dispute meant that a piece of land west of the Danube was not claimed by either side.
The parcel of land in question is 7 km2 (2.7 sq mi), roughly the same size as Gibraltar.
Jedlička stated that no nation had claimed the territory and therefore he could claim it using the doctrine of terra nullius. The border, he argued, was defined in accordance with Croatian and Serbian border claims and did not interfere with the sovereignty of any other state. Jedlička sent an official diplomatic note in April 2015 to both Croatia and Serbia, and later to all other states, with a formal request for international recognition.
On 18 December 2015, Jedlička introduced the first provisional government of Liberland and its ministers of finance, foreign affairs, interior and justice, as well as two vice presidents.
Wallachian Kingdom. But not the Wallachians we would have expected…
No, it's not in Romania, but in the Czech Republic. It was founded in 1997 by the photographer Tomáš Harabiš. Since its establishment, an estimated 80,000 Czech citizens have acquired “Wallachian passports”.
After the official proclamation of the kingdom, actor Bolek Polívka was enthroned as King Boleslav I the Gracious, his coronation taking place in a lavish ceremony in 2000.
The “government” led by Tomáš Harabiš established state institutions and issued passports.
A new currency, Jurovalsar, was launched, which was linked to the euro at a rate of 1:1, which would have made Mugur Isărescu, the governor of the National Bank of Romania, envious. Attempts to establish official ties with other countries have proved disappointing, and the Kingdom does not enjoy formal diplomatic recognition.
In 2001, the “government” deposed King Boleslav in a coup, accusing the fallen monarch of behaving unconstitutionally, demanding 1,000,000 Czech crowns for his services.
Tomáš Harabiš's government put Vladimír Zháněl on the throne in 2001 as King Vladimír II.
The Principality of Aigues-Mortes, a parody of Monaco
The Principality of Aigues-Mortes (French: Principauté d'Aigues-Mortes) is a micronation in the area of the city of Aigues-Mortes (France). It is not recognized by any country or government.
The Principality of Aigues-Mortes was founded in 2010 as a parody of the Principality of Monaco. It has its own currency – the Flemish.
Kingdom of Redonda. It all started with guano…
The island is located between the islands of Nevis and Montserrat in the West Indies. Legally, it belongs to Antigua and Barbados. The island is just over 1.6 km long and 0.54 km. It is very difficult to live on, as there is no source of fresh water other than rain, and most of the island is extremely steep and rocky.
Despite these difficulties, from 1865 to 1912 Redonda was the center of a profitable guano trade and many thousands of tons of phosphates were shipped from Redonda to Great Britain. The ruins associated with the mines can still be seen on the island.
Currently, the Kingdom is ruled by Mihai cel Cărunt, although several people claim to be the true rulers of Redonda.
List of other existing micro-nations:
Grand Duchy of Flandrensis, Grand Duchy of Westarctica, Kingdom of Redonda, Empire of Atlantium, Grand Duchy of Avram, Principality of Snake Hill, Principality of Wy, Sovereign Yidindji Government, Murrawarri Republic, Free Republic of Liberland, Principality of Iceland, Hajdučka Republika Mijata Tomića, Aerican Empire, Le Royaume de L'Anse-Saint-Jean, Republic of Rathnelly, Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia, Glacier Republic, Kingdom of Wallachia, Freetown Christiania, Kingdom of Elleore, Principality of Aigues-Mortes, Principality of Laàs, Holy Empire of Reunion, Republic of Saugeais, Akhzivland, Principality of Filettino, Principality of Seborga, Republic of Užupis, Republic of Whangamōmona, Republic of Vevčani, Neue Slowenische Kunst, Naminara Republic, Elgaland-Vargaland, Republic of Jamtland, Ladonia, Austenasia, Sovereign State of Forvik, Lamb Island, Free Borough of Llanrwst, Kingdom of Lovely, Principality of Sealand, Dominion of British West Florida, Conch Republic, Maritime Republic of Eastport, Kingdom of EnenKio, Republic of Molossia, Kingdom of North Dumpling, Washitaw Nation, Zaqistan, Parva Domus, New Utopia, Asgardia, Nation of Celestial Space, Global Country of World Peace
Dominion of Melchizedek, Nova Roma , Nutopia , Romanov Empire , Wirtland , Sovereign State of Aeterna Lucina , Province of Bumbunga ….and many more.
