Do You Know That? The Smallest State Of The World

Most known and easy to be reached states of the world are located surprisingly quite near. It is not necessary to stress that these areas represent Vatican (0,4 square kilometres) and the Principality of Monaco with the extent of 1,6 square kilometres.

But, would you allow me a question, if you have ever heard something about the smallest state of the world bearing the name of Principality Sealand?

So, this artificial small island, situated in the North Sea, not far from the coasts of Great Britain, is really, with its extention of 500 square metres, synonymously the smallest possible state of the world. The island is formed with a small platform, constructed during the 2nd World War, erected on two gigantic pillars in 1942, as Rough Towers Citadel, as a protection against Germain Air Force and Navy in a struggle with Britain. Supporting board as well as anchoring base were brought there, in distance of 10 kilometres from the coast, and subsequently, they were fixed anchored inside sea bottom. During  the war, 150-300, mostly army workers, were emplyed there, and when the war was over, a small crew was active on this spot. Nevertheless, in 1956, local service here was definitely closed but the life on this „island“ was not finished. In 1967, Paddy Roy Bates, pensioned major of British Army, occupied it as deserted place, presenting here pirate radio broadcasting, i.e. illegal broadcasting of rock´ n´roll music.

He declared there a Principality and the inhabitants were named as a peculiar nation. However, Sealand was not accepted from international point of view. Despite such fact, this territory had its own Constitution since 1975, and later, even its own currency - Sealand Dollar - was introduced there, having the same value as the US Dollar. This Principality had even its own flag, anthem and passports. In 1999, after conclusion an agreement with Heaven Co. Ltd, this small citadel became an internet paradise. However, in 2006, great fire totally destroyed this complete infrastructure. Since 2007, the Principality is on sale, at price-level scale between GBP 65 000 000 - 504 000 000. As the biggest curiosity, this could be taken for football (soccer) team. To tell the truth,from historical point of view, this team played one match only, and there is a legend, that as a rival, it was a team, made from Czech players. However, during past 20 years, this famous and rather strange history is over. The passports as well as citizenship were cancelled and a number of stable inhabitants moved in range of 1-5 administrators or stewards of desolated building. Apart of this, many companies were interested in buying it, specializing with on line internet casino betting. But local tax as well as legal politics were not secured in any direction. Sealand Principality is a symbol of disputes and rebellioin, and it became, first of all,   an inspiration of mostly rock preferring musicians. Next chapter will be dedicated to the smallest exotic states of the world.

Text: Jan Chaloupka

Translation: ing. Jan Jonáš

Photo: archiv http://www.sealandgov.org/ a wikipedia commons: (mapa) David Liuzzo