World's Smallest Country: The Principality of Sealand
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The Principality of Sealand
The world's smallest country isn't the Vatican City, it is in fact the independant Principality of Sealand located off the coast of England. The country is essentially an old World War II platform that became inhabited by the self proclaimed Prince Roy of Sealand (Paddy Roy Bates). He bought the platform in the 60s and turned it into his home for the last forty years. In the mid 70s he won the right to declare the property country status, citing that it is technically in international waters.
Tourists wanting to visit the country will have to have their passports ready since they will be leaving the boundaries of Great Britain. The only safe way in and out of Sealand out is by helicopter and you'll have to get permission from Prince Roy before going.
Sealand's Fire
In 2006, Sealand experienced a fire that quickly consumed the deck. Luckly no one was hurt and the citizens were safely evacuated from the country by the Royal Air Force. Since then, Prince Roy and his wife decided to do what most Royal families do and retire in a foreign country, England. After the move Prince Roy commissioned the Church and East Ltd. with the task of rebuilding their country. The Church and East Ltd. have said that the building is nearly complete and that the country can soon be re-inhabited.
Country Open For Business
With the renovations soon to be completed, Prince Roy plans on leasing the facility to companies who could operate remotely from Sealand to take full advantage of its loose laws and tax free haven. We may soon see Sealand as a safe-house for underground internet servers and regulation free internet broadcast stations. Plans are also underway to redecorate the outside of Sealand and make it more appealing for tourists.
Tourism
You will find it difficult to actually get to Sealand but if you are an adventure/traveler you may just find this place worth the effort. Keep watch for future infrastructure; Sealand may soon become an internetters paradise.
Sealand
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Inside Sealand
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Sealand News
- Seasteading Competition Winner
The Seasteading Institute is an organisation dedicated toward creating sustainable sea platforms where people can choose to live if they’re unsatisfied with life on solid ground. They recently held a design contest for people to come up with new deep-sea micronations like Sealand, and the winner has been announced. This is the ‘Swimming City’ designed by [...] - 5 months ago
- Lands Down Under - Part 2
Earlier this week we took a look at the unusual phenomena of micronations in Australia. Our Antipodean cousins are mad about their independent nations and have an unusually large number of Sealand-esque states within the official Australian borders. Here are the final six in our rundown. Empire of Atlantium The rather grand-sounding ‘Empire of Atlantium’ is described [...] - 6 months ago
- Lands Down Under - Part 1
You may have noticed that Australia is a big, big country. So big you could fit 31 nations the size of the UK into its borders! Given the stupendous size and relatively low population, then, it’s not a great surprise to learn that Australians are not unfamiliar with the concept of a micronation like Sealand, [...] - 6 months ago
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Comments
No doubt, I mean Sealand may have country status but I don't think they have a standing army. If they become a hub for piracy who's to stop Scotland Yard from seizing the property for illegal practises. Countries have been taken over before in the past. If I were Prince Roy I'd be careful who I would do business with.
Gross... There's no way on earth I would spend a night there. My skin is crawling.
Are you serious? Who would like to be the King of such a crappy place?
Sealand doesn't have a king...being a principality, it has a prince. By comparison, the Kingdom of East Jahunga ( http://www.EastJahunga.com ) has a king as it's head of state.
What a fascinating bundle of info. Just loved it!
Thanks for the hub!
Smiles and Light
Ups! :-( Thanks for clarifying that Micronations. I'll pay more attention next time :-)
I wonder how Sealand would repel an American invasion.
Or any invasion for that matter. Anyone with a rowboat and gun could take over that country.
jeanne dupuis, I bet your one of those people that whenever she travels goes straight for the tourist traps and malls instead of getting to see what the real world is like.
This might not be the best looking place. But the guy that bought it from had a great idea as weird as it might sound I bet he can be more proud looking back at his life for doing what he did. While you die thinking if you ever did anything extraordinary.
Open up your eyes grow up and travel the world. The greates places are those that inspire. And I bet your malls and Cookie cutter life does not inspire one bit.
Sorry if other people think I'm attacking that comment but I just find it very ignorant and reminds me of what is wrong with modern society
Hi Jyle,
Thank you for the information.
But Sealand is not a country, its a micronation. So it cannot be treated as 'smallest country' in the world.
Also i think the sealand's area is 550 square meters, where as Vatican's area is 440 square meters only
With some work done I think it would be an amazing place to live, with it being so low in population it would have no crime rate.
If I had the money I would by it right away, have my close friends and family move there and just dare for someone to mess with us, my family is a small army by itself.
Hal Licino says:
2 years ago
Ah, yes, Sealand will soon be pumping out terabytes of kiddy porn, snuff films and crooked casino games to the eagerly awaiting world. Until the UK cuts its underwater telecom cable and leaves it a floundering collector of seagull guano! :) Hail Prince Roy!