The kingdom in my backyard: 5 micronations within the United States

Micronations are self-proclaimed entities that claim to be sovereign states but are not recognized by other countries or international organizations. Many are primarily intended as social experiments or satirical projects rather than serious attempts at secession.

Believe it or not, there are several micronations that exist within the borders of the United States, let’s see some of the most interesting examples!

Located in Key West, Florida, the Conch Republic was founded in 1982 as a symbolic protest against a United States Border Patrol checkpoint that was causing major traffic disruptions in the Florida Keys.

Key West Mayor Dennis Wardlow led the founding fathers of the Conch Republic to declare war on the United States and surrendered one minute later in order to negotiate the Border Patrol checkpoint with the US government.

Since then the Conch Republic has become something of a popular attraction and a symbol of the laid-back, independent attitude that characterizes the people of the Florida Keys.

Eastport is a seaside neighborhood of Annapolis, Maryland. When the state highway administration temporarily shut down the drawbridge that connects Eastport with the rest of Annapolis in the 1990s, local neighbors declared independence.

Nowadays, The Maritime Republic of Eastport holds various events and festivals, including a dog race across the reopened draw bridge.

Another highlight is the tug-of-war between Eastport and the rest of the world, generally represented by Annapolis.

Zaqistan is a micronation located in Box Elder County, Utah. Established in 2005, it has no residents, and the closest town is reportedly Montello, Nevada, some 60 miles (ca. 97 km) away.

Image: @Zaqistan / Twitter

Despite being in the middle of nowhere, tourists of Zaqistan will find a border patrol gate, a victory arch, and other structures.

Image: Zaqart

The founder and President of Zaqistan is Zaq Landsberg, a Brooklyn-based sculptor who owns the land where Zaqistan is located. Those wanting to apply for Zaqistani citizenship can do it for free on its official website.

Image: KSL News

The Kingdom of Talossa is one of the oldest micronations in existence. It was invented by Robert Ben Madison from Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1979, when he was 14 years old.

Image: Mark Rohan / Unsplash

The name “Talossa” comes from Finnish and means “inside the house”. This micronation also boasts its own language, Talossan, which claims to have over 35,000 root words.

Image: The official Talossa website

Madison tried to disestablish Talossa in the mid-2000s, but the kingdom -which claims to have over 200 citizens around the world - still goes on without its founding father. The kingdom celebrated its 44th anniversary on December 2022.

Image: @Talossa / Twitter

The Republic of Molossia is a micronation located near Dayton, Nevada. Founded in 1977 by Kevin Baugh and his family, it currently occupies roughly 1.3 acres.

Image: CNN Business

Baugh was apparently inspired to make his own small realm after watching the Peter Sellers' comedy 'The Mouse That Roared', about a tiny nation waging war against the United States.

Molossia jokingly plays up all the stereotypes associated with a Banana Republic. For instance, it's ruled by "His Excellency President Grand Admiral Colonel Doctor Kevin Baugh, President of Molossia,
Protector of the Nation and Guardian of the People".

Image: The official Molossia website

Molossia was briefly invaded by YouTuber Doug Walker, better known as The Nostalgia Critic, for his 2010 special Kickassia.

Image: Channel Awesome

Fortunately, brave Molossians managed to expel the foreign invaders and how the invasion is another of Molossia's public holidays, such as Chocolate Mint Day and East Germany Day.

Image: El Confidencial