Joshua D. Guilas | Staff Writer

A quick Google search of “micronations” brings up flags that most people have never seen and countries that they have never heard of.  So what is a micronation? And why do they matter?

Simply put, a micronation is a piece of land that is owned by a person or institution and that, in many respects, appears similar to an actual sovereign nation. Like official countries, micronations establish their own currencies, territorial claims, government institutions, official symbols and citizens. These small nation-like entities typically exist within the boundaries of an established country. Micronations are experimental projects often created to entertain an individual or a group of people. Some people who establish micronations are looking to promote an agenda. Others set up these ‘new country’ projects in order to explore the process of establishing a nation.

One micronation in Nevada, The Republic of Molassia, has gained prominence in recent years due to website “Channel Awesome,” which filmed a television special there. The idea for Molassia first came from His Excellency President Kevin Baugh––yes, that is his actual title–– and his best friend who were inspired by the movie “The Mouse That Roared,” a 1950s satire about a tiny fictional nation.

“James moved onto other projects, but I stuck to the idea through the years,” Baugh said. “In 1998, I obtained land in Northern Nevada. I changed the name to The Republic of Molossia, raised the flag and literally built the nation from there. That’s how it all started!”

Baugh continued, “I truly enjoy having and running my own nation.  It can be a lot of fun.  It’s truly an exercise in creativity, imagination and personal sovereignty.”

Another example of a micronation is Sealand, which is an artificial island originally called “HM Fort Roughs.” After creator Roy Bates faced a legal battle with the British government regarding his transmission of an illegal radio program, his lawyers felt that the name “Sealand” would be better received. While the establishment of Sealand was eventually approved, the radio program was not reinstated.

“It’s pretty cool—I get to meet a lot of interesting people and travel a lot.” Prince Michael Bates, current ruler of Sealand said.

Interestingly enough, there is some debate over what constitutes a micronation. One micronation, the Principality of Hutt River (PHR) is not even seen as such by its ruler, Lord Steven G.P. Baikie, Earl of Tankerness.

“Most of what are called ‘micronations’ are simply imaginary places, places formed by children or just someone who thinks money can be made out of it,” said Baikie. “Most do not even own land. We do not recognize self-declared so-called ‘countries’ and do not involve ourselves in any way with them.”

According to Balke, the PHR was “formed in the courts and under laws that existed in order to stop the Australian government from taking our lands without payment. The fact that we are still here, not paying taxes—there is no sales tax in the PHR—and receiving no benefits from the Commonwealth of Australia after 46-plus years, I think, proves our existence.”

Balke said the PHR is well received by the nations of the world and also has “received many awards from other nations for charitable and assistance work that [we] have done.” For example, in 2005 the PHR sent a relief unit to New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The PHR has shown itself to be distinct from more famous micronations, and it has done its best to gain recognition for its own actions.

Although micronations have been founded for a variety of reasons, they are usually an attempt to try something new. Micronations are, in some sense, political statements, but they also attract tourism, which assists their economic systems. Because virtually any plot of privately-owned land can become a micronation, they may start to become more common as independently-wealthy individuals decide to break from national norms.

And one never knows, in the wake of a refugee team that competed at the Rio Olympics this summer, perhaps the 2020 summer Olympics will include a diver from the Republic of Molassia or a pole-vaulter from the PHR––stranger things have happened.