Start a Micronation
Tired of all those restrictions in your country, or do you just want to find a hobby? It doesn't matter how old you are, creating a micronation is a great way to have fun, meet people, and be the boss of your property!
Steps
- Think of a name for your nation.
- Create the essentials for your nation, such as an anthem, flag, coat of arms, national motto, or national symbols such as national bird, animal, food, sport etc.
- Define national holidays. For example, Day of the Establishment of your micronation, anniversaries of historical events (Victory in Europe Day, International Workers' Day), religious holidays (Christmas Day, All Saints’ Day, Eastern) etc.
- Claim land for your nation. You don't have to buy any land for a nation, you just have to claim it. It can be your backyard, your whole property, or something public, such as a park or an empty lot.
- Do something in your nation! Activities are great to promote your nation or put onto your website. Some activities to try are sports or international trade between people or micronations. Town parades may also accept a float for your nation.
- Create a government for your nation with you as the king, president, etc. Decide on a type of government, such as republic, monarchy or dictatorship. Enforce this government and try to get friends to become officials. You can also use someone else as the leader as well.
- Create laws and restrictions. You should have constitution at least. Some things may be banned in your country, or you may need a passport to enter. You decide, you're the ruler!
- Develop diplomatic relationships. You can contact other micronations' leaders to develop diplomatic relationships and, furthermore, ratify an international treaty or alliance. Your friends or relatives can be ambassadors of your country. But remember to use official and formal language in your documents and at diplomatic meetings.
- Work to meet the four requirements of statehood. The Montevideo Convention of 1933 defines the four requirements of statehood: you must have a defined territory, a government, a permanent population, and the ability to enter foreign relations. When you meet these, congratulations! You're a sovereign nation, but you're still considered a micronation until another country recognizes you.
- Remember that even you run a micronation, you are recognized (but not exactly a part of) your parent nation and will be treated as such.
Tips
- If you cannot record national anthem by yourself (your friend or hired musician) you can use one of classical music pieces (but remember to have permission from the orchestra), the author of which is more than 70 years after death. For the inspiration, Ludwig van Beethoven's "Ode to Joy" (part of the "Symphony No. 9") is used as the Anthem of Europe.
- Create a website for your nation.
- Also try to build tourist attractions, such as a park, memorials or small museum or gallery. For example, you can found memorial room with important documents, artifacts, paintings and photos of your micronation's history.
- Order currency and flags online. You can order custom coins, flags, post stamps or postcards online.
- You can also try adding holidays or services like a post office, national newspapers etc.
- If you're feeling really creative, create an alphabet or language.
- You can create a micro nation outside Planet Earth, or somewhere doesn't exist, but remember, you cannot live there and you cannot invite anyone to live there, but you can claim as your country's citizen.
- Decide if you want people to come live in your nation, maybe in a tent or small house.
Warnings
- Claiming land can get you in trouble if you're not careful.
- If you offer residency, you will have to have a separate area of supplies for your new citizens.
- Check with your local and federal laws before creating a nation, because it can be illegal in some countries or states.
- Make sure that you clearly define to your parent nation that you are engaging in a harmless project, because secession and the reactions possible are no joking matter
- Don't declare war on a legitimate nation, especially your parent nation. Remember, people die in wars indefinitely. Is that really what you want?
- To create flags or currency, you may need a photo-editing program such as Photoshop, Paint.NET, or the GIMP. Paint may not do the job for designing this stuff.
Things You'll Need
- A computer with an Internet connection
- Computer graphics editing program (like Photoshop, Paint.NET or the GIMP) to design own flag, coat of arms, currency, post stamps etc.
- Money (donations)
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