Principality of Sealand
I do not know if you have ever heard of the Principality of Sealand, but you should take a full read from the link below and state your thoughts afterwards. I am amazed that some pirates have not ventured on it just for the amusement.
QUOTE |
The Principality of Sealand is a micronation (a self-declared but unrecognised state-like entity) that claims as its territory Roughs Tower, a former Maunsell Sea Fort located in the North Sea 10 km (six miles) off the coast of Suffolk, England, at 51°53′40″N, 1°28′57″E, as well as territorial waters in a twelve-nautical-mile radius. Sealand is occupied by the family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates. The population of the facility rarely exceeds five, and its inhabitable area is 550 m². |
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Bates thereupon enlisted armed assistance and, in a helicopter assault, retook the fortress. He then held the invaders captive, claiming them as prisoners of war. Most participants in the invasion were repatriated at the cessation of the "war", but Gernot Pütz, a German lawyer who held a Sealand passport, was charged with treason against Sealand and was held unless he paid DM 75,000 (more than £18,000). The governments of the Netherlands and Germany petitioned the British government for his release, but... Ref. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sealand |
International Level: International Guru / Political Participation: 3231 100%
This was a very interesting read. It took me a while to realize that the Rough Towers mentioned are actually towers of a sunken ship, and that since the UK has not formally lodged complaint, the Bates family is using this as defacto justification that they are a sovereignty. I though it also interesting that they've created their own stamps and coins as well. I wonder if there are tours of Sealand available?
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