In the coming weeks, I plan to write a bit about "imaginary" countries, and their maps. These countries come in many forms: they might be from works of fiction, like
J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth, they could be "fleshed out" for a
Dungeons & Dragons roll-playing universe, or they might simply be acts of whimsey. However, first I am going to look at "imaginary" countries that physically exist, here and now, even if not everyone recognizes them. They are often referred to as "
Micronations".
If you would like to visit one of these fantastic places, you should plan to pick up a copy of
Lonely Planet Micronations from
Lonely Planet Travel Guides.
Bored of visiting the same UN-recognised countries? Ready to explore somewhere unique and perhaps a little wacky? want to add some really rare stamps to your passport? Then let Lonely Planet's guide to home made nations take you to a bunch of places you've never heard of. Micronations takes a curious look at some of the most curious places on the planet. Designed to generate interest in the strange world out there, this is a fully illustrated, humourous mock guidebook to the nations people create in their own backyards. A global selection of micronations are profiled with facts and figures, cultural information, Things to See & Do, Getting There & Away, and interviews with the quirky characters who've set themselves up as presidents, emperors and serene highnesses. The book also features full colour photographs and sections detailing the historical, philosophical and most definitely satirical aspects of the micronation phenomenon. For lovers of humour, trivia and ephemera, this is a gift book, a reference text and a travel guide rolled into one.
In this fun guide you will be introduced to the
Kingdom of Elleore
Founded on a lark by some school teachers in 1944, this island kingdom off the coast of Denmark now has a King and Queen and issues their own currency and stamps, even though the island is uninhabited for 51 weeks out of the year.
The Loyalists of the
Dominion of British West Florida dispute the legality of treaties signed, following the American Revolution, that ceded West Florida to Spain (and later to the United States).
Today, the "Acting Governor General" seeks recognition and dominion status within the British Empire.
Based on Article 1 of the UN's International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the
Republic of Molossia asserts its right to self-determination.
Founded in 1977 (just two years after the founding of my own "ant country" see
Story of a Cartophiliac), the
Republic of Molossia is everything my country could have been if I stuck with it. But then, who's got that kind of time? More on that later.
Labels: books, imaginary countries, micronations
Today is the Independence Day holiday in the United States. Last month, we learned of an announcement of the "independence" of the latest "micronation": the island of Forvik. We also see that they now have a flag.
The website, Forvik - Truth & Light, offers evidence of prior ownership, dating back to 1899. Below is a photograph of island and its inhabitants in 1938.
