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My name is Steven F. Scharff, and I live in Henderson, Nevada, USA (just outside of Las Vegas). I have had a fascination with small countries and independence movements dating back to a childhood visit to the United Nations in New York City, and reading about the Principality of Sealand while still in high school.
Why don't you provide direct links to some sites?
Because Angelfire/Lycos won't let me. According to their by-laws, namely Article 6: Member and User Conduct, I can't provide direct links to websites that contain:
"...any Content, or select any member or user name or email address, that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, pornographic, libelous, invasive of privacy or publicity rights, hateful, or racially, sexually, ethnically or otherwise objectionable."
Why do you list websites that involve Fascist/Neo-Nazi/Racist ideology?
This website is intended as a directory of seditionist/new country groups, regardless of ideology. Their opinions and beliefs are worthy of investigation, even if you don't agree with them.
I have a website that I would like listed. How do I go about getting on your site?
Go to this webpage for full information on having your website listed.
My friends and I want to start our own real, honest-to-goodness country. Any suggestions?
Warren Zevon's song "Lawyers, Guns and Money" comes to mind...
First, I know of no real estate company that is selling islands outside of any national boundaries, so don't ask me. There are a number of companies that do have private islands for sale, but all are within the territorial waters of one country or another.
Second, remember that you'll be going up against real, big, and probably nasty nation-states with real armies with real soldiers and real weapons that fire real ammunition.
Third, don't even consider trying to launch a coup! If it fails, you'll be facing a firing squad (if you're lucky). If you're successful, watch your back.
Fourth, I know of no country that would be willing to sell or secede any land or territory to a private party to start their own country. If they did, they would be more than willing to take it back once you start turning a profit.
Fifth, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 10 December 1982 (Read the Wikipedia article here) put any offshore platform constructions under the jurisdiction of the nearest nation. That means building an offshore platform akin to the Republic of Rose Island, or claiming unoccupied platforms like the Principality of Sealand is no longer an option.
Technically, you could legally drop anchor 200 nautical miles from the nearest point of land and thumb your nose at the world (provided your ship/barge is not causing a maritime hazard), but don't expect membership in the United Nations.
You can also peruse the wiki A New Land (http://anewland.wikidot.com/), maintained by Peter Sidor, for any updated information on others who are also following the dream of starting a new country.
I can't stop you from trying, but if you manage to pull it off, put me down for a passport. Just remember to keep the phone number of a good lawyer on speed-dial.
Can you post my project's website on your website?
No. If you want to set up a website, a good place to start is Anglefire/Lycos. They have a number of packages available (including a free service), and their built-in web page editor is easy to use.
What's this business about your e-mail address?
There are commercial spammers who have search engines looking for any use of an ampersand (@), that denote an e-mail address. I have had three previous e-mail address that have been overloaded (literally) with spam. So, I've listed my e-mail address here as gopher_baroque (AT) hotmail.com. Just highlight the address into your e-mail server, and replace the "(AT)" with an ampersand (@).
Icon generated via NHacks.
Can I send you my country's stamps/flag/coins/etc.?
Of course! Send me some e-mail and I'll send you my postal address.
Do you have any favorite flags?
I'm partial to the (now retired) flag used by the Independent Republic of Holly Hill, back when the model country was a Democratic Republic.
