Four ‘micronations’ you probably haven’t visited: The peril of autonomy and the power of humility

As you’re making your summer travel plans, you might want to
consider the Republic of Molossia.

This 11.3 acre “nation” was established in 1977. It includes part of Dayton, Nevada, and two other enclaves in California.

It claims to have its own navy and space program and adds that it has been at war with East Germany (a country that no longer exists) since 1983. Molossians even have their own time zone and currency and are happy to stamp your passport.

According to Travel Trivia, this is just one of several “micronations” you probably haven’t visited.

Another is the Grand Duchy of Westarctica, a micronation formed in Western Antarctica to advance conservation. They claimed a large swath of land that was unclaimed by any country and used it to form a non-profit organization dedicated to “advocacy through occupation” and preservation of their territory.

Nearby stands the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis, a micronation
claiming five small islands in Western Antarctica. It was founded in 2008 to
raise awareness about the perils of climate change. Citizens hail from over
sixty countries worldwide.

If you’re looking for someplace with a more hospitable
climate, consider the Principality of Seborga.

This micronation is comprised of a pleasant hilltop village in northern Italy. Residents say the land was unclaimed because a sixteenth-century land sale contract was never properly signed and notarized. Its citizens believe that Seborga is not part of Italy but is its own state, beholden only to their monarch, Prince Marcello I.

Here’s one trait Molossians, Westarcticans, Flandrensians,
and Seborgians share: they each claim autonomy from the rest of the world.
Their residents create their own laws and culture. They see themselves as
members of their uniquely independent nation.

In a sense, we are all attempting to do the same.

The peril of autonomy and the power of humility

John Claypool was one of my favorite…