Ever heard of countries that don’t officially exist—but still have flags, leaders, and even their own money? Welcome to the world of micronations—tiny, self-declared countries created by dreamers, rebels, or just people with a sense of humor. 😄
Most people know about places like Sealand or the Principality of Hutt River, but there are dozens of forgotten ones that quietly disappeared or still exist in some weird corner of the internet. Let’s explore seven of these fascinating little “countries” that most of the world has never heard of.
1. The Republic of Minerva 🏝️
Imagine building your own island in the ocean and calling it a country. That’s exactly what Michael Oliver, a Las Vegas millionaire, tried in 1972. He dumped sand onto a reef in the South Pacific, declaring it the Republic of Minerva—a libertarian paradise with no taxes, no government control, and total freedom.
For a short time, it actually worked! People moved in, and a flag was raised. But soon, the nearby nation of Tonga claimed the land, sent soldiers, and tore down Minerva’s dream. The “republic” lasted just a few months.
| Country Name | Year Founded | Location | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Minerva | 1972 | South Pacific Ocean | Taken by Tonga in 1972 |
Today, only a few traces of sand remain under the waves—a reminder that freedom sometimes sinks. 🌊
2. The Kingdom of North Sudan 👑
In 2014, a man named Jeremiah Heaton from Virginia wanted to make his daughter a real princess. So, he searched for an unclaimed patch of land between Egypt and Sudan, known as Bir Tawil, and declared it the Kingdom of North Sudan.
He even planted a flag there and called himself “King Heaton.” While it sounds like a fantasy movie plot, he truly believed it was legal since Bir Tawil is one of the few places on Earth that no country claims.
Of course, neither Egypt nor Sudan took him seriously, but the story touched people’s hearts—a father creating a kingdom just to make his daughter’s dream come true. 💖
| Kingdom Name | Founder | Founded | Claim Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of North Sudan | Jeremiah Heaton | 2014 | Unclaimed land (Bir Tawil) |
3. The Principality of Freedonia 🕊️
Before it was a joke in the Marx Brothers’ movie, Freedonia was a real attempt at a micronation. In 1992, a group of libertarians from the United States wanted to create a land of total independence, away from taxes and rules.
They built an online constitution, printed passports, and sold “citizenships.” But soon, authorities started asking questions, and the dream fizzled out. Today, Freedonia exists only as a legend in online libertarian communities.
Still, the idea behind it—complete personal freedom—keeps resurfacing, showing how deep the human desire for independence runs.
4. The Republic of Rose Island 🌹
Now, this one is straight out of a movie! In 1968, an Italian engineer named Giorgio Rosa built a platform just outside Italy’s territorial waters in the Adriatic Sea. It was 400 square meters of concrete and steel—and he declared it an independent nation: the Republic of Rose Island (or Repubblica dell’Isola delle Rose).
It even had its own language (Esperanto) and currency (the Mill). But the Italian government didn’t find it funny—they destroyed the entire island with explosives. 💣
Today, Rose Island is remembered as a rebellious symbol of creativity and freedom.
| Nation | Founder | Year | Location | What Happened |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Rose Island | Giorgio Rosa | 1968 | Adriatic Sea | Destroyed by Italian Navy |
Fun fact: There’s even a Netflix film based on this wild story! 🎬
5. The Grand Duchy of Westarctica 🧊
Now this one still exists! In 2001, a man named Travis McHenry claimed a large portion of unclaimed land in Antarctica, calling it Westarctica. Since no country owns that area under international law, he thought—why not?
He gave himself the title of Grand Duke and even issued citizenships online. Over time, it turned from a joke into an environmental micronation that promotes climate awareness.
| Nation | Year Founded | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Duchy of Westarctica | 2001 | Antarctic claim | Active (symbolic) |
Today, Westarctica has thousands of “citizens” around the world who support environmental causes under its flag. 🌎❄️
6. The Principality of Outer Baldonia 🐟
This one might make you laugh. In 1949, an American businessman named Russell Arundel bought a small island off Nova Scotia, Canada, called Outer Bald Tusket Island. He declared it a new country—The Principality of Outer Baldonia—where fishermen ruled the seas.
He created a funny constitution that banned “interrupting fishermen at rest” and made fishing a national duty. Citizens were called “Princes of the Realm,” and its motto was pure freedom and humor.
It didn’t last long, but its lighthearted spirit made it one of the most charming micronations ever. 🎣
| Nation | Founder | Year | Theme | Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Principality of Outer Baldonia | Russell Arundel | 1949 | Fishermen kingdom | Abandoned in 1973 |
7. The Kingdom of Lovely 💻
This is probably the most “internet-age” country ever created. In 2005, British comedian Danny Wallace founded the Kingdom of Lovely from his apartment in London as part of a TV documentary.
He declared his flat an independent nation and invited people online to become citizens. Within weeks, over 80,000 people joined his “country,” sharing ideas about democracy, kindness, and humor.
Though it wasn’t a real country by any means, the project proved one thing—sometimes, belonging and creativity matter more than territory. 🌐❤️
| Nation | Founder | Year | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kingdom of Lovely | Danny Wallace | 2005 | Online micronation | 80,000+ (at peak) |
Why People Create Micronations 🤔
You might wonder, why would anyone do this? The reasons are surprisingly human:
| Reason | Description |
|---|---|
| Freedom | Many want to escape government control or taxes. |
| Expression | Some use it as an art project or political statement. |
| Community | People love belonging to something unique. |
| Humor | Many are just for fun or satire. |
In a world where borders and politics often divide us, micronations remind us that sometimes all you need is imagination and courage to create your own world—even if it’s only symbolic.
Interesting Fact Table: Quick Comparison
| Micronation | Year | Creator | Status Today | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republic of Minerva | 1972 | Michael Oliver | Gone | Libertarian freedom |
| Kingdom of North Sudan | 2014 | Jeremiah Heaton | Exists symbolically | Father’s love |
| Principality of Freedonia | 1992 | Libertarian group | Dissolved | Freedom |
| Republic of Rose Island | 1968 | Giorgio Rosa | Destroyed | Rebellion |
| Grand Duchy of Westarctica | 2001 | Travis McHenry | Active | Environmental |
| Outer Baldonia | 1949 | Russell Arundel | Gone | Fishing humor |
| Kingdom of Lovely | 2005 | Danny Wallace | Online legacy | Community |
A Thought to Leave You With 💭
In a way, these forgotten micronations are not just about flags or borders. They’re about dreams. They show how far people will go to create their version of happiness—even if it’s a platform in the ocean, a patch of desert, or an apartment in London.
Every one of these stories whispers the same thing: freedom begins with imagination. 🌈
FAQs About Forgotten Micronations 🏳️
Q1. Are micronations legal?
Not officially. Most countries don’t recognize them, but as long as they don’t break laws, they’re usually tolerated.
Q2. Can I create my own micronation?
Technically yes—but it won’t be recognized by the UN or any country. Still, you can make one for fun or awareness.
Q3. What’s the difference between a micronation and a microstate?
A microstate is a real, recognized small country (like Monaco or San Marino). A micronation is self-declared and unofficial.
Q4. Are there active micronations today?
Yes! Some, like Sealand and Westarctica, are still around—mostly online communities now.
Q5. Why are these micronations “forgotten”?
Many faded away because they were small, unofficial, or just too ambitious for reality. But their stories still live on.
✨ Final Word:
Micronations are proof that humans will always dream beyond maps. Whether they last a day or a decade, they remind us that the world is big enough for everyone’s imagination.
