The Magical World of Micronations (Part 1)

Written for Kosovo Online by: Habib al Hadi

This week in India, the Delhi police shut down an embassy. The embassy of the Grand Duchy of Westarctica. Except—it wasn’t an actual embassy. It was a scam, run by a man from Ghaziabad who rented a bungalow, decorated the landscape with luxury cars, and took photos with world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to defraud people out of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

This story quickly made headlines around the world—even CNN picked it up. Yes, it was a fake embassy. Indian police arrested a man accused of running the sham diplomatic mission from a rented residential building near New Delhi and discovered cars with fake diplomatic license plates.

The suspect presented himself as an ambassador and allegedly swindled people by promising them employment abroad, according to senior officer Sushil Gule from the Special Operations Unit of Uttar Pradesh in northern India.

According to police, Harshvardhan Jain (47) claimed to act as an adviser or ambassador for entities such as “Seborga” or “Westarctica.” Authorities found several doctored photos showing Jain with global leaders, as well as fake stamps of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and nearly 30 other countries, Gule said.

Jain is also suspected of laundering money abroad through fake companies. He faces charges of forgery, impersonation, and possession of false documents.

Police seized four cars with fake diplomatic plates and nearly 4.5 million Indian rupees (around $52,095) and other foreign currencies in cash from Jain’s rented premises, which were adorned with the flags of several countries. Jain held 12 diplomatic passports and had visited around 40 countries over the past 10 years.

The backstory of this “ambassador” may be even more intriguing. Back in 2011, police opened a case against Jain after finding him with a satellite phone. Investigators also uncovered photos linking Jain to the controversial "godman" Chandraswami and Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi.

Chandraswami, a self-proclaimed spiritual leader, gained influence in the 1980s and 1990s, to the extent that he was considered the spiritual adviser to three prime ministers—P.V. Narasimha Rao, Chandra Shekhar, and V.P. Singh. He came under scrutiny for financial misconduct and was arrested in 1996. A raid on his home also revealed dealings with Khashoggi. Chandraswami was accused of financing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Jain’s connections to such figures point to a deeply dubious past for this fake diplomat.

And yet, unbelievably, the Grand Duchy of Westarctica is not “fake.” It is a “country”—a territory in western Antarctica covering about 900,000 square kilometers, with a “royal head of state” — His Royal Highness, Grand Duke Travis — a flag, a currency (the “Ice Mark”), and more than 2,500 “citizens.”

Travis McHenry, a former U.S. Navy officer, founded the micronation of Westarctica in 2001 and named himself its Grand Duke. He exploited a loophole in the Antarctic Treaty System to declare himself ruler. While the treaty prohibits countries from claiming parts of Antarctica, it says nothing about individuals. Westarctica claims to have 2,356 citizens—none of whom live there. Based in Southern California, the Grand Duchy of Westarctica operates as a nonprofit organization that raises awareness about climate change and Antarctica. It has its own flag, currency, and also grants titles—which no government recognizes. Following the arrest in India, the Grand Duke issued a statement noting that all foreign ministries and diplomatic missions had been informed that the titles and honors conferred by the principality are purely symbolic and have no legal value.

This might seem confusing at first, but it's a typical welcome into the strange—and somewhat entertaining—world of micronations.

What is a micronation?

A micronation is an entity that aspires to be a state—it can be a piece of free land, an abandoned building, or even a disputed wheat field (yes, that has happened)—claiming sovereignty and political independence, yet lacking the higher authority to enforce this claim under international law. This is not to be confused with microstates—like Vatican City or Liechtenstein—which are officially recognized sovereign nations despite their small size. Micronations are essentially states—chimeras.

So what’s the point? Well... that’s the question, isn’t it?

Many are created as jokes.

Take the Republic of Sauge, for example—an alliance of 11 villages between France and Switzerland that was “born” in 1947 after a prank between a hotel owner and a French official. Others may be formed as a kind of protest—however bizarre.

In Florida in 1982, the mayor of the island city of Key West declared the Conch Republic and “seceded from the United States” to draw attention to the region’s neglect.

Another example is “Freetown” Christiania in Copenhagen—an “anarchist commune” of about 1,000 people built—deliberately—on the site of a former military base. Its main street is called Pusher Street and, unsurprisingly, it was famous for open (but illegal) cannabis trade—until last year.

The Principality of Sealand is an offshore platform in the North Sea that was used by the British military during World War II. Seized by former soldier Paddy Roy Bates, it is now perhaps the most famous micronation, and even offers “visas” to “tourists” who wish to visit.

There’s also the Republic of Minerva—a man-made island built on disputed coral reefs located between the Pacific island nations of Fiji and Tonga. And the former Yugoslavia wasn’t immune to the trend either. It was fertile ground for new “states.” Hence the creation of Liberland—a seven-square-kilometer patch of forested, uninhabited land caught in a border dispute between Serbia and Croatia.

For the artist in you, there’s the Royal Republic of Ladonia, created in 1986 after local authorities in Kullaberg, southern Sweden, declared two sculptures illegally erected. Ladonia is now ruled by Her Majesty Queen Carolyn.

Micronations in India? So far, as we know, there are at least five. Possibly more. These include the Microstate of Aviation Vision, the Dharmic Union, the Kingdom of Indradhanush, the Republic of Lovenia, and Vishwamitra. The last three are located in Bengaluru.

But what is a micronation, really? It’s whatever you want it to be, in fact. A friendly “how-to” guide shared by the President of the Republic of Molossia in the U.S. state of Nevada lays out five types.

1. “Sovereign Nation” – with a formal government system, passports, border control, and membership in international organizations. These are usually based on physical territory.
2. “Flag of Convenience” – like Sealand.
3. Created using the laws of the host country – where the micronation is located.
4. and 5. “Model Nations” – either online-only entities or established in remote physical areas. Liberland is an example of the latter.

Now comes the legal (and boring) part

A micronation is not “real.” None have ever been recognized by established states.

But that doesn’t mean their founders aren’t serious about their “countries.” For instance, Molossia hosted the “Intermicronational Olympic Games” in 2000 to coincide with the Summer Olympics. Events included online games like chess and checkers (unofficially held on Yahoo) and various athletic competitions.

Molossian President Kevin Baugh and his son Mark were the stars, winning gold medals in the 100-meter dash and frisbee throwing, and silver medals in tennis ball throwing, chess, and checkers. We’re still waiting for the next Intermicronational Olympics.

Last year, the Jewish Bolshevik Republic of Shikell, in Pennsylvania, USA, hosted a world football tournament featuring 24 teams, including Sealand. According to its own description:

“Officially known as the Jewish Bolshevik Republic of Shikell since 2017, formerly known as the People's Republic of Shikell from 1964 to 2014; a micronation located in the United States, claiming Jewish ancestral lands in Florida, New York, California, and Maryland. Its capital and largest city is Schuylkill Haven. It borders the United States on all sides. The nation is entirely governed by the Communist Party of Shikell since its founding in 1964, established by Julma Ednaton, whose great-great-grandson Julma Ednaton IV is currently the Jewish state’s prime minister. Shikell is known as a state founded by Jews who fled Europe during WWII and from Israel during the Arab-Israeli conflicts of the Cold War, settling in Pennsylvania and New York. Shikell is a member of the Multinational Association of America, the Organization for Collective Security of Schuylkill, and the Pennsylvania Key Alliance. It was once a member of the former Sangheili Union from 2010 to 2014.”

Its account on platform X is adorned with Russian symbols and posts strongly support President Trump. Its most recent statement, dated July 25, was a call for peace between Thailand and Cambodia.

“We call on Cambodia and Thailand to sit at the negotiation table in Bangkok, Phnom Penh, or perhaps Vientiane to discuss ending the mutual conflict. It seems everything started due to a misunderstanding,” declared the leadership of this “nation,” followed by an important note: “We also urge our citizens to stay away from state borders.”

This post resonated. It was supported by the prime minister of another “partner” state—Austin Elsler of the Kingdom of Nyx. The kingdom’s website says it’s “a small country located within the United States in North America” that aims to become “a peaceful, independent, efficient, self-determined, and self-governing nation in the real world that seeks to grow and thrive while helping its citizens and its citizens help the community.” The Kingdom was established on September 21, 2017. It operates in virtual space—on social media—and those who support it can become its citizens through one-time or recurring donations to the royal treasury. They may also become officials of the Kingdom, if they wish. So, there’s room for new “ambassadors” and “honorary consuls.”

Pennsylvania, it seems, may soon become a pro-Russian dominion, given the existence of the Pennsylvania Federation, led by President Mikhail Petrenko, Vice President Ivan Petrokakink, and the United Federalist Party. The Federation expressed complete support for Russia after Trump’s recent criticism. “We express further and deeper support for Russia against Ukraine following Trump’s recent threats. It seems Trump and the Democrats are two sides of the same coin on this issue,” the Federation posted on X. Concerning the protests against Trump held on June 14 in Pennsylvania, the Federation fully sided with the police. “We are aware of potential unrest on June 14 and we stand with the police and will open fire on anyone who tries to attack our community. They planned to overthrow the Petrenko administration through assassinations, and we will not tolerate that. Death to the Democratic Party!” the administration wrote.

In the U.S. and Canada, several other new “nations” have recently emerged: the House of DeHerrera based in San Tan Valley, Arizona; the Kingdom of Danland, a micronation dedicated to individual freedom and self-sufficiency; the sovereign state within Canada—the Principality of Woodlandia; and the parliamentary monarchy of Dacionaria, ruled by His Royal Highness Archduke Arthur. This duchy issued a special edition of postage stamps on July 1, 2025, which can be ordered online.

The Duchy also appears to be forming a new government. A Minister of Culture was recently appointed, and other ministers are being sought. “The parliamentary monarchy of Dacionaria is seeking a Minister of Communications, a government-level position responsible for developing internal communication systems, external communications and public relations, and ensuring the security and transparency of information,” reads an ad aimed at attracting candidates. Applicants must be citizens of Dacionaria, fluent in English, committed, and have basic graphic design knowledge. Time commitment is 1–2 hours per week. The promised salary is 200 ducats per month—the currency of the Duchy.

This may sound fun, but there are tips if you want to found your own micronation. You really could. According to Molossia President Kevin Baugh, you could start by staking a claim to land. “… it doesn’t have to be exclusively yours. Claim land that’s publicly owned, like a local park, nature reserve, something similar. Go there, raise your flag, and claim the land for your nation...”

Then all you need is a flag, national anthem, and some other “national” symbols. Congratulations. Just beware of unscrupulous men and women pretending to be your diplomatic envoys!

But this comedic tale has a deeper side that highlights what separates a real state from a state–chimera: recognition by established, real countries. Without that, there’s no UN membership, no true state powers or authority. Still, as we see, that doesn’t stop a chimera-state from existing in the way it thinks it deserves. The world of fake countries doesn’t have major issues with such micronations. But fake states pretending to be real—and even backed by major world powers—are a grotesque hypertrophy of virtual principalities, kingdoms, and empires. And that won’t get them much further than Ladonia or the Kingdom of Nyx.

Tomorrow: The Magical World of Micronations (Part 2)