The virtual state of Sealand (principality) is a microstate on a sea platform in the North Sea. The smallest state in the world: sea fortresses Conflict with Great Britain

Which country is the smallest? Many will answer: the Vatican. However, ten kilometers from the coast of Great Britain there is a tiny independent state - Sealand. The Principality is located on an abandoned offshore platform.

Background

The Rafs Tower platform (“Tower of Hooligans” in English) was built during the Second World War. To protect against Nazi bombers, several such platforms were installed off the coast of Great Britain. An anti-aircraft gun complex was located on them, which was guarded and serviced by 200 soldiers.

The Raffs Tower platform, which later became the physical territory occupied by the virtual state, was located six miles from the mouth of the Thames. And Britain's territorial waters ended three miles from the coast. Thus, the platform ended up in neutral waters. After the end of the war, weapons from all forts were dismantled, the platforms located close to the shore were destroyed. And Rafs Tower remained abandoned.

In the 60s of the last century, radio pirates began to actively explore the coastal waters of England. Roy Bates, a retired British Army major, was one of them. He launched his first radio station, Radio Essex, on a different platform, displacing his colleagues. However, in 1965 he was fined for violating the Wireless Telegraph Act and had to find a new location for the radio station.

Together with his friend Ronan O'Rahilly, the major decided to occupy Rafs Tower and create an amusement park on the platform. However, the friends soon quarreled, and Roy Bates began to master the platform on his own. He even had to defend the right to her with arms in hand.

History of creation

The amusement park idea failed. But Bates could no longer recreate the radio station, despite the fact that he had all the necessary equipment. The fact is that in 1967 a law came into force that made broadcasting, including from international waters, a crime. Now even the location of the platform could not save Bates from persecution by the state.

But what if the waters are no longer neutral? The retired major had a crazy, at first glance, idea - to proclaim the platform as a separate state. On September 2, 1967, the former military man declared the platform an independent state and named it Sealand, and declared himself ruler new country, Prince Roy I Bates. Accordingly, his wife became Princess Joanna I.

Of course, Roy initially studied international law and talked to lawyers. It turned out that the major’s actions would indeed be difficult to challenge in court. The newly created state of Sealand had a physical territory, albeit small - only 0.004 square kilometers.

At the same time, the construction of the platform was completely legal. A document prohibiting such buildings appeared only in the 80s. And at the same time, the platform was outside the jurisdiction of Britain, and the authorities could not legally dismantle it.

Relations with Great Britain

Three more similar platforms remained in English territorial waters. Just in case, the government decided to get rid of them. The platforms were blown up. One of the Navy vessels carrying out this mission sailed to Sealand. The ship's crew stated that this platform would soon be destroyed. To which the residents of the principality responded by firing warning shots into the air.

Roy Bates was a British citizen. Therefore, as soon as the major stepped ashore, he was arrested on charges of illegal possession of weapons. Against Prince Bates began trial. On September 2, 1968, an Essex judge made a historic decision: he ruled that the case was outside British jurisdiction. This fact became official evidence that the UK had renounced its rights to the platform.

Coup attempt

In August 1978, a coup nearly occurred in the country. A conflict arose between the ruler of the state, Roy Bates, and his closest assistant, Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach, over the policy of attracting foreign investment to the country. The men accused each other of unconstitutional intentions.

When the prince went to Austria to negotiate with potential investors, the count decided to seize the platform by force. At that moment, only Michael (Michael) I Bates, son of Roy and heir to the throne, was on the territory of Sealand. Achenbach, along with several mercenaries, captured the platform, and the young prince was locked in a windowless cabin for several days. After this, Michael was taken to the Netherlands, from where he was able to escape.

Soon, Roy and Michael were reunited and were able to regain power on the platform. The mercenaries and Achenbach were captured. What to do with people who betrayed Sealand? The Principality fully complied with international law. on the rights of prisoners of war states that after the cessation of hostilities, all prisoners must be released.

The mercenaries were immediately released. But Achenbach was accused of attempting a coup d'etat according to the laws of the principality. He was convicted and removed from all government positions. Since the traitor was a citizen of Germany, the German authorities became interested in his fate. Britain refused to intervene in this conflict.

A German official arrived on Sealand to speak with Prince Roy. As a result of the intervention of a German diplomat, Achenbach was released.

Illegal government

What did Achenbach do next after the failed attempt to capture Sealand? The Principality was now inaccessible to him. But the former count continued to insist on his rights and even organized a government of Sealand in exile. He also claimed that he was the chairman of a certain secret council.

Germany had Achenbach's diplomatic status, and in 1989 he was arrested. The post of head of the illegal government of Sealand was taken by Johannes Seiger, the former Minister of Economic Cooperation.

Territory expansion

In 1987, Sealand (principality) expanded its territorial waters. He announced this desire on September 30, and the next day the UK made the same statement. In accordance with international law, the disputed maritime territory is equally divided between the two states.

Since there are no agreements between the countries in this regard, and Great Britain did not make any statements, the Sealand government considered disputed territory divided according to international standards.

This led to an unpleasant incident. In 1990, a British ship unauthorized approached the shores of the principality. Residents of Sealand fired several warning shots into the air.

Passports

In 1975, the virtual state began issuing its own passports, including diplomatic ones. But Sealand's good name was tarnished when the illegitimate government in exile became involved in a major global scam. In 1997, Interpol began searching for the source of a huge number of false documents allegedly issued in Sealand.

Passports, driver's licenses, diplomas higher education and other documents were sold to Russia, the USA and European countries. Using these documents, people tried to cross the border, open a bank account, and buy weapons. The Sealand government assisted the investigation. After this incident, absolutely all passports, including those issued absolutely legally, were revoked and abolished.

Constitution, state symbols, form of government

After Great Britain recognized that Sealand was outside its jurisdiction in 1968, the inhabitants decided that this was a de facto recognition of the country's independence. 7 years later, in 1975, state symbols were developed - anthem, flag and coat of arms. At the same time, the Constitution was issued, including a preamble and 7 articles. New government decisions are formalized in the form of decrees.

The flag of Sealand is a combination of three colors - red, black and white. In the upper left corner there is a red triangle, in the lower right corner there is a black triangle. Between them there is a white stripe.

The flag and coat of arms are the official symbols of Sealand. The coat of arms of Sealand depicts two lions with fish tails, holding a shield in the colors of the flag in their paws. Below the coat of arms is a motto that reads: “Freedom from the sea.” The national anthem, written by composer Vasily Simonenko, is also called.

According to the government structure, Sealand is a monarchy. The governing structure has three ministries - foreign affairs, internal affairs and telecommunications and technology.

Coins and stamps

Sealand coins have been issued since 1972. The first silver coin with the image of Princess Joan was released in 1972. From 1972 to 1994, several types of coins were issued, mainly in silver, gold and bronze, with portraits of Joanna and Roy or a dolphin on the obverse, and a sailboat or coat of arms on the reverse. Currency Principalities - the Sealand dollar, which is pegged to the US dollar.

Between 1969 and 1977, the state issued postage stamps. For some time they were accepted by the Belgian Post.

Population

The first ruler of Sealand was Prince Roy Bates. In 1990, he transferred all rights to his son and went to live in Spain with the princess. Roy died in 2012, his wife Joanna in 2016. IN at the moment The ruler is Prince Michael I Bates. He has an heir, James Bates, who is the Prince of Sealand. In 2014, James had a son, Freddie, who is the great-grandson of the first ruler of the principality.

Who lives in Sealand today? The population of the principality in different times ranged from 3 to 27 people. Currently, there are about ten people on the platform every day.

Religion and sports

It operates on the territory of the principality. There is also a small chapel named after St. Brendan the Navigator on the platform. Sealand does not remain aloof from sporting achievements. Despite the fact that the population of the principality is not enough to form sports teams, some athletes represent the unrecognized state. There is even a football team.

Sealand and the Internet

Regarding the Internet on the territory of the state, a simple law applies - everything is permitted except spam, hacker attacks and child pornography. Therefore, Sealand, which began as a pirate radio station, is still an attractive territory for modern pirates. For 8 years, HavenCo servers were located on the territory of the principality. After the closure of the company, the principality continues to provide services for hosting servers for various organizations.

Legal status

Unlike other self-proclaimed states, Sealand has little chance of gaining recognition. The principality has a physical territory, it was founded before the expansion water boundaries Britain. The platform was abandoned, which means its settlement can be considered as colonization. Thus, Roy Bates could actually establish a state in free territory. However, for Sealand to receive full rights, it must be recognized by other states.

Selling Sealand

In 2006, there was a fire on the platform. Restoration required significant funds. In 2007, the principality was put up for sale at a price of 750 million euros. The Pirate Bay intended to acquire the platform, but the parties could not reach an agreement.

Sealand today

You can not only find out which country is the smallest, but also support the rebel platform government in its quest for independence. Anyone can donate money to the treasury of the principality. In addition, on the official website you can purchase various souvenirs, coins, and stamps.

For just 6 euros you can create a personal Sealand address email. For 25 euros order an official ID card. For those who have dreamed of a title all their lives, Sealand gives such an opportunity. Quite officially, according to the laws of the principality, anyone who pays 30 euros can become a baron, for 100 euros - a knight of the Sovereign Military Order, and for 200 - a real count or countess.

Today, the Principality of Sealand is ruled by Michael I Bates. Like his father, he is an advocate for freedom of information, and Hooligan Tower remains a stronghold of modern information pirates.

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Niue

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Principality of Hutt River

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Nauru

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Principality of Seborga

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Republic of Molossia

The smallest state in the world! What is it like? What is its area and how many people live there? This article will help you understand this.

First, let's determine which state is the smallest in the world. According to Wikipedia it is dwarf enclave state of the Vatican, which is located in Rome. Its area is 0.44 sq. km, and the population is approximately 800 people. Agree, these numbers are quite large! (naturally for the smallest state in the world).

About the Vatican - not the smallest state in the world

I didn’t stop at the Vatican and continued my search for the smallest state in the world:

And it caught my eye Principality of Sealand, which is microstate- well, why not the state? This principality has sovereignty over the territory of an offshore platform in the North Sea, just 10 kilometers from the coast of Great Britain. This microstate has its own flag, coat of arms, hymn and even motto - well, everything is as it should be!

By the way, the Principality of Sealand from English. Principality of Sealand translated as “sea land”

Flag and Coat of Arms of the microstate of Sealand

• Sealand's motto is: “E Mare Libertas”, which translated means “Freedom of the Seas”.
• The anthem is called exactly the same as the motto!

Now let's look at the main characteristics the smallest state - the Principality of Sealand: this is the area and population:

• The territory of the principality covers an area of ​​only 0.00055 sq. km, of which 100% is water territory!
• And the population of this state is just... 3 people!

But Sealand is the most famous microstate in the world not only because of its size, the history of this state is also very strange and exciting!

Sealand was originally a sea fort dating back to World War II. Its task was to deter German air raids. In 1967, Paddy Roy Bates took over the fort and used it to launch a pirate radio station, after which he and his family declared this place an independent sovereign state, including even the issuance of passports.

Imagine! Just like that they just took it and declared their independence! But, of course, not everything is so simple.

Bates argued that the nation was given de facto statehood when Germany sent a diplomat here, and already in 1968 a British court decided the following: Due to its location in international waters (10 km from the UK coast - see above), Sealand is outside UK jurisdiction.

A significant event took place here in 1978. While Bates was away, the Prime Minister of Sealand, Alexander Achenbach, carried out an armed seizure of the facility and Bates' son, Michael. Michael was held hostage for several days and was later released in the Netherlands.

Bates released the foreign participants in the takeover, but not Achenbach, who had Sealand’s passport (well, of course: the Prime Minister, after all). Achenbach was accused of high treason against a microstate.

Very common in Sealand this kind incidents. I would like to tell you about one more of them, which happened not very long ago:

In 1990, a British ship was shot for trespassing on Sealand. And what? Let them not violate state borders the smallest state in the world - the Principality of Sealand!

Never heard of this before, but cool topic)
This is not just a platform, it is a whole principality!
We look at the photos and read.

The physical territory of Sealand emerged during the Second World War. In 1942, the British Navy built a series of platforms on the approaches to the coast. One of them was the Roughs Tower (literally “hooligan tower”). During the war, anti-aircraft guns were stationed there and there was a garrison of 200 people. After the end of hostilities, most of the towers were destroyed, but the Rafs Tower, being outside British territorial waters, remained untouched. In 1966, retired British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates chose this location to base his pirate radio station, Britain's Better Music Station. To avoid prosecution by the British authorities, Bates declared the platform a sovereign state and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. The proclamation of Sealand took place on September 2, 1967. This day is celebrated as a major public holiday.

In 1968, the British authorities tried to occupy the young state. Patrol boats approached the platform, and the princely family responded by firing warning shots into the air. The matter did not come to bloodshed, but a trial was launched against Prince Roy as a British citizen. On September 2, 1968, an Essex judge made a historic ruling: he found that the case was outside British jurisdiction.

In 1972, Sealand began minting coins. In 1975, Sealand's first constitution came into force. A flag and coat of arms appeared.

In August 1978, a putsch occurred in the country. It was preceded by tension between the prince and his closest ally, the country's prime minister, Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach. The parties differed in their views on attracting foreign investment to the country and accused each other of unconstitutional intentions. Taking advantage of the absence of the prince, who was negotiating with investors in Austria, Achenbach and a group of Dutch citizens landed on the island. The invaders locked young Prince Michael in a basement and then took him to the Netherlands. But Michael escaped from captivity and met his father. With the support of the country's loyal citizens, the overthrown monarchs managed to defeat the usurpers' troops and return to power.

The government acted in strict accordance with international law. The captured foreign mercenaries were soon released, as the Geneva Convention on the Rights of Prisoners of War requires the release of prisoners after the end of hostilities. The organizer of the coup was removed from all posts and convicted of high treason in accordance with Sealand laws, but he had a second - German - citizenship, so the German authorities became interested in his fate. The British Foreign Office refused to intervene in this matter, and German diplomats had to negotiate directly with Sealand. The senior legal adviser of the German embassy arrived on the island in London Dr Niemuller. Prince Roy demanded diplomatic recognition of Sealand, but in the end, given the bloodless nature of the failed putsch, he agreed to verbal assurances and generously released Achenbach.

The losers continued to insist on their rights. They formed the illegal government of Sealand in exile (FRG). Achenbach claimed to be the chairman of the Privy Council. In January 1989, he was arrested by the German authorities (who, of course, did not recognize his diplomatic status) and handed over his post to Minister for Economic Cooperation Johannes W. F. Seiger, who soon became prime minister. Re-elected in 1994 and 1999

On September 30, 1987, Sealand announced the expansion of its territorial waters from 3 to 12 miles. The next day, the UK made a similar statement. Thus, according to international norms, the maritime territory between the two countries should be divided equally. The lack of a bilateral agreement regulating this issue has caused dangerous incidents. So in 1990, Sealand fired warning salvoes at a British ship that had approached its shore unauthorized.

Unbeknownst to the government, Sealand's name was embroiled in a massive criminal scam. In 1997, Interpol came to the attention of an extensive international syndicate that had established trade in fake Sealand passports (Sealand itself never traded passports and did not provide political asylum). Over 150 thousand fake passports (including diplomatic ones), as well as driver's licenses, university diplomas and other counterfeit documents were sold to citizens of Hong Kong (during its transfer to Chinese control) and Eastern Europe. In several European countries, attempts were recorded to open bank accounts and even purchase weapons using Sealand passports. The attackers' headquarters were in Germany, and their sphere of activity covered Spain, Great Britain, France, Slovenia, Romania and Russia. The “Minister of Foreign Affairs” of the pseudo-state was Russian citizen Igor Popov. In the United States, a connection was discovered between this case and the murder of Gianni Versace (the killer committed suicide on a yacht whose owner had a fake Sealand diplomatic passport). The Sealand government fully cooperated with the investigation and canceled the passports following this tragic incident.

In 2000, the HavenCo company hosted its hosting in Sealand, in return the government pledged to guarantee the inviolability of freedom of information legislation (everything is allowed on the Internet in Sealand, except spam, hacking attacks and child pornography). HavenCo hopes that its location on sovereign territory will save it from the restrictions of British internet law.

Sealand's position compares favorably with that of other artificially created states. The Principality has a physical territory and has some legal grounds for international recognition. The requirement for independence is based on three arguments. The most fundamental of these is the fact that Sealand was founded in international waters before the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, which prohibits the construction of artificial structures on the high seas, came into force, and before the expansion of the UK's sovereign maritime zone from 3 to 12 miles in 1987. Due to the fact that Rafs Tower was abandoned and struck off the British Admiralty lists, its occupation in 1966 is considered to be colonization. The settlers who settled there had every right to establish a state and establish a form of government at their discretion. Sealand meets all the criteria for statehood specified in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. According to international standards, the size of a state cannot be an obstacle to recognition. For example, the recognized British possession of Pitcairn Island has only about 60 people.

The second important argument is the 1968 British court decision that the UK had no jurisdiction over Sealand. No other country has claimed rights to Sealand either.













Based on materials

Principality of Sealand(English: Principality of Sealand) - a microstate located on an offshore platform in the North Sea 10 kilometers from the coast of Great Britain, according to some sources, meets all the criteria for statehood specified in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, and is an unrecognized state

Background of Sealand

Rafs Tower platform English. Roughs Tower on which Sealand is located
The physical territory of Sealand emerged during the Second World War. In 1942, the British Navy built a series of platforms on the approaches to the coast. One of them was Roughs Tower. During the war, anti-aircraft guns were stationed there and there was a garrison of 200 people. After the end of hostilities, most of the towers were destroyed, but the Rafs Tower, being outside British territorial waters, remained untouched.

Capturing the platform and establishing Sealand

In 1966, retired British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates and his friend Ronan O'Reilly chose the Roughs Tower platform, by then long abandoned, to build an amusement park. However, after some time they quarreled, and Bates became the sole owner of the island. In 1967, O'Reilly tried to take over the island and used force to do so, but Bates defended himself with rifles, shotguns, Molotov cocktails and flamethrowers, and O'Reilly's attack was repulsed.

Roy did not build an amusement park, but chose the platform to base his pirate radio station, Britain's Better Music Station, but the radio station never broadcast from the platform. On September 2, 1967, he announced the creation of a sovereign state and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. This day is celebrated as the main public holiday.

Conflict with Great Britain

In 1968, British authorities tried to take over the platform. Patrol boats approached her, and the princely family responded by firing warning shots into the air. The matter did not come to bloodshed, but a trial was launched against Prince Roy as a British subject. On September 2, 1968, an Essex judge made a historic ruling: he found the case outside British jurisdiction.
In 1972, Sealand began minting coins. In 1975, Sealand's first constitution came into force. A flag and coat of arms appeared.

Coup attempt

In August 1978, a coup occurred in the country. It was preceded by tension between the prince and his closest ally, the country's prime minister, Count Alexander Gottfried Achenbach. The parties differed in their views on attracting investment to the country and accused each other of unconstitutional intentions. Taking advantage of the absence of the prince, who was negotiating with investors in Austria, Achenbach and a group of Dutch citizens landed on the island. The invaders locked young Prince Michael in a basement and then took him to the Netherlands. But Michael escaped from captivity and met his father. With the support of the country's loyal citizens, the deposed monarchs managed to defeat the usurpers and return to power.

The government acted in strict accordance with international law. The captured foreign mercenaries were soon released, as the Geneva Convention on the Rights of Prisoners of War requires the release of prisoners after the end of hostilities. The organizer of the coup was removed from all posts and convicted of high treason in accordance with Sealand laws, but he had a second - German - citizenship, so the German authorities became interested in his fate. The British Foreign Office refused to intervene in this matter, and German diplomats had to negotiate directly with Sealand. The senior legal adviser of the German embassy in London, Dr. Niemuller, arrived on the island, which was the pinnacle of the actual recognition of Sealand by real states. Prince Roy demanded diplomatic recognition of Sealand, but in the end, given the bloodless nature of the failed putsch, he agreed to verbal assurances and generously released Achenbach.

The losers continued to insist on their rights. They formed the government of Sealand in exile (FRG). Achenbach claimed to be the chairman of the Sealand Privy Council. In January 1989, he was arrested by the German authorities (who, of course, did not recognize his diplomatic status) and handed over his post to Minister for Economic Cooperation Johannes W. F. Seiger, who soon became prime minister. Re-elected in 1994 and 1999.

Expansion of territorial waters

On September 30, 1987, Sealand announced the expansion of its territorial waters from 3 to 12 nautical miles. The next day, the UK made a similar statement. There was no reaction from the British government to the expansion of Sealand's territorial waters. From the point of view of international law, this means that the maritime zone between the two countries should be divided equally. This fact is considered by supporters of Sealand's independence as a fact of its recognition. Although the lack of a bilateral agreement regulating this issue has caused dangerous incidents. Thus, in 1990, Sealand fired warning salvoes at a British ship that had unauthorizedly approached its border.

Fake Sealand passports

Unbeknownst to the government, Sealand's name was embroiled in a massive criminal scam. In 1997, Interpol came to the attention of an extensive international syndicate that had established trade in fake Sealand passports (Sealand itself never traded passports and did not provide political asylum). Over 150 thousand fake passports (including diplomatic ones), as well as driver's licenses, university diplomas and other fake documents were sold to citizens of Hong Kong (during its transfer to Chinese control) and Eastern Europe. In several European countries, attempts were recorded to open bank accounts and even purchase weapons using Sealand passports. The attackers' headquarters were in Germany, and their sphere of activity covered Spain, Great Britain, France, Slovenia, Romania and Russia. Russian citizen Igor Popov appeared in the case as the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Sealand. In the United States, a connection was discovered between this case and the murder of Gianni Versace (the killer committed suicide on a yacht whose owner had a fake Sealand diplomatic passport). The Sealand government fully cooperated with the investigation and canceled the passports after this unfortunate incident.

Cooperation between Sealand and HavenCo

In 2000, the HavenCo company hosted its hosting in Sealand, in return the government pledged to guarantee the inviolability of freedom of information legislation (everything is allowed on the Internet in Sealand except spam, hacking attacks and child pornography). HavenCo hoped that being located on sovereign territory would save it from the restrictions of British internet law. HavenCo ceased to exist in 2008

Fire on Sealand

On June 23, 2006, the state of Sealand suffered a terrible natural disaster throughout its history. A fire broke out on the platform, the cause of which was said to be a short circuit. The fire destroyed almost all buildings. As a result of the fire, one victim was taken by a British BBC rescue helicopter to a UK hospital. The state was restored quite quickly: by November of the same year.

Selling Sealand

In January 2007, the country's owners announced their intention to sell it. Immediately after this, the torrent site The Pirate Bay began collecting funds for the purchase of Sealand.
In January 2009, Spanish real estate agency Inmo-Naranja announced its intention to put Sealand up for sale for €750 million. But soon the prince decided not to sell the “state”

Legal status

Sealand's position compares favorably with that of other virtual states. The Principality has a physical territory and has some legal grounds for international recognition. The requirement for independence is based on three arguments. The most fundamental of these is the fact that Sealand was founded in international waters before the entry into force of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea prohibiting the construction of man-made structures on the high seas, and before the extension of the UK's sovereign maritime zone from 3 to 12 nautical miles in 1987 year. Due to the fact that the Rafs Tower platform on which Sealand is located was abandoned and struck off the British Admiralty lists, its occupation is considered to be colonization. The settlers who settled there believe that they had every right to establish a state and establish a form of government at their discretion. Sealand meets all the criteria for statehood specified in the Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States. According to international standards, the size of a state cannot be an obstacle to recognition. For example, the recognized British possession of Pitcairn Island has only about 60 people.

The second important argument is the 1968 British court decision that the UK had no jurisdiction over Sealand. No other country has claimed rights to Sealand either.

Thirdly, there are several facts of de facto recognition of Sealand. The Montevideo Convention states that states have the right to existence and self-defense regardless of official recognition. In modern international practice, tacit (non-diplomatic) recognition is a fairly common phenomenon. It arises when a regime does not have sufficient legitimacy, but exercises actual power on its territory. For example, many states do not recognize the Republic of China diplomatically, but de facto view it as a sovereign country. There are four similar pieces of evidence regarding Sealand:

Great Britain does not pay Prince Roy a pension for the period when he was in Sealand.
UK courts refused to hear the 1968 and 1990 claims against Sealand.
The Foreign Ministries of the Netherlands and Germany entered into negotiations with the Sealand government.
The Belgian Post accepted Sealand stamps for some time.

Theoretically, Sealand's position is very convincing. If recognized, the principality would become the smallest country in the world and the 51st state in Europe. However, according to the constituent theory, more common in modern international law, a state can only exist insofar as it is recognized by other states. Therefore, Sealand cannot be accepted into any international organization and cannot have its own postal address or domain name. None of the countries established diplomatic relations with him.

Sealand is trying to get independence recognized by some major state, but has not tried to achieve independence through the UN.

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