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Revision as of 10:52, 8 May 2012
For the ancient Epirote tribe of Molossia, see Molossians. | This article relies excessively on references to primary sources. Please improve this article by adding secondary or tertiary sources. Find sources: "Republic of Molossia" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
| Republic of Molossia | |
|---|---|
| Motto: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained | |
| Capital | Espera |
| Membership | 27 |
The Republic of Molossia is an unrecognized state and self-declared sovereign state, although it is often called a micronation, founded by Kevin Baugh semi-humorously as a "dictatorial banana-republic" and headquartered solely from a tiny home near Dayton, Nevada.
It consists of Baugh's house (known as Government House), backyard and front garden, about 1 acre (0.4 ha) of land, as well as another property landlocked on all sides by Southern California. It formerly claimed a property in Pennsylvania as well. According to author John Ryan, Molossia is "a hobby... that has been pushed... to the nth degree." Originally established as a childhood project in 1977, Molossia subsequently evolved into a territorial entity in the late 1990s.
The name Molossia is derived from the Spanish word morro which means "small rocky hill". Baugh has stated that the ancient Greek tribe of Molossians is unrelated.
History
Molossia traces its origins to a childhood micronation project, the Grand Republic of Vuldstein, which was created by Baugh and James Spielman on May 26, 1977. Vuldstein's leadership—and entire population—consisted of King James I (Spielman), and Prime Minister Baugh, although James soon left, leaving "Vuldstein" largely defunct, although over the years it became several nomadic kingdoms as Baugh travelled around Europe.
On September 3, 1999, Baugh created the Republic of Molossia as a latter day successor to Vuldstein, and declared himself to be its president.
Territory
Molossia consisted of two properties, (previously three) located within the continental United States and comprising a total area of 6.3 acres (2.5 ha), these are owned by Baugh. Harmony Province is located near Dayton, Nevada and is the smallest of Molossia's territories at little more than one acre in size. It is the Baugh family's primary place of residence, and the site of Molossia's designated capital, Espera.
The Protectorate of New Antrim was located at an undisclosed location in Pennsylvania and was the largest of Molossia's territories at a little over 8 acres (3.2 ha) in extent. It was named for the Northern Irish County Antrim and had its own governor, Grand Admiral Hess. It is no longer claimed by Molossia.
In August 2003, Baugh purchased a small piece of rural land in Northern California. This was referred to the Colony of Farfalla. The property was sold late in 2005, after Baugh inherited more land which he subsequently named Desert Homestead Province, in Southern California. Desert Homestead was previously owned by Baugh's grandfather, and the property has since been declared a "national monument" dedicated to him.
Vesperia is the name of Molossia's claim of 49,881 square miles (130,000 km) on the planet of Venus.
Also, Molossia claims a spot named Neptune Deep in the North Pacific Ocean, about 750 kilometres (470 mi) southwest of Mexico.
Operations
Proclamations
The Republic of Molossia claims to be a sovereign, independent nation-state, completely surrounded by the United States. As a result, it has adopted a system of government recognizably similar in structure to that of a sovereign state.
Structure
Molossia is a republic governed by a constitution creating a National Assembly and other institutions of state. However, "due to unrest and the ever-present foreign menace from over the border", a state of martial law exists, enabling the President, Kevin Baugh, to exercise all powers of governance, including foreign affairs.
Foreign relations
Molossia recognizes several other micronations, with numerous treaties enacted to this end. In May 2008, a summit was held with Grand Duke Paul, leader of the Grand Duchy of Greifenberg, another micronation. Plans were made for the revitalization of the League of Small Nations, a nearly defunct organization devoted to the prosperity of all micronations claiming land. This was Molossia's first ever formal state visit. Molossia asserts it was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Kosovo, one day after the Albanian majority country was declared on February 18, 2008, with Baugh sending an official letter to the newly formed government.. However Molossia now only opens informal relations with other states.
Molossian Postal and Telegraph Service
The Molossian Postal and Telegraph Service only functions within the Republic of Molossia since the micronation is unrecognized and therefore has no equivalent agencies outside it. The Postal and Telegraph Service currently produces cinderella stamps .
Tourism
In recent years the various micronation-themed art installations and landscaping projects that Baugh has constructed around his home have begun to attract the interest of some outside Molossia, to the extent that up to 10 tourists now visit annually.
Visits are only possible by prior arrangement, and involve a 45-minute guided tour conducted by Baugh—typically in uniform. Visitors are required to produce a passport and their pocket change in order to be admitted. Baugh has stated that these requirements are waived for citizens of Andorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Monaco, Seborga and "any other country recognized by Molossia".
Several items are banned in Molossia, including tobacco and incandescent light bulbs.
War With East Germany
The Republic of Molossia has claimed to be fighting a war with East Germany and it has issued war bonds to stop the war. It claims to have been fighting it since November 2, 1983.
In popular culture
Molossia was the main focus and site of the two-year anniversary of the That Guy with the Glasses website. Doug Walker produced a six-part film starring Channel Awesome members called Kickassia, set primarily in Molossia. In the film, the Nostalgia Critic attempts to conquer Molossia and become its new leader, with the help of various other members of the That Guy With the Glasses site. Kevin Baugh played the opposing force. The invaders temporarily succeed and rename the nation "Kickassia", but Baugh manipulates the group into dethroning the Nostalgia Critic and giving him back his presidency.
Molossia has also made an appearance as one of several micronations in the online webcomic, Hetalia: Axis Powers. He is mostly seen interacting with other micronations such as Sealand, Seborga, and Wy.
See also
Notes
- "Newsbites, 18 March 2012".
- "'Lonely Planet' Explores Micronations". Day to Day. National Public Radio. 2006-11-01. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
- ^ "Republic of Molossia".
- "Neptune Deep". Republic of Molossia. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
- ^ "Follow-up interview with Kevin Baugh, president of the Republic of Molossia". Wikinews. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
- "Kosovo" (Press release). Molossia.
- http://www.molossia.org/pictures/stamp11.gif
- http://www.molossia.org/pictures/stampslg.jpg
- http://www.molossia.org/media/interview.html
- "Republic of Molossia announces new customs station". Wikinews. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
- ^ http://www.molossia.org/war/eastgermany.html
- http://www.molossia.org/war/bonds.html
- "The Invasion Movie!" molossia.org. Accessed 2010-12-04.
References
- In The Spirit Of Independence Day - One nation, under me, The Chicago Tribune, Colleen Mastoni, July 3, 2008.
- Ryan, John. Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Self-Proclaimed Nations, ISBN 1-74104-730-7.
- iBerkshires Bite-sized sovereignties offer worlds of fun, February 2, 2005.
- Micronations: Republic of Molossia, Unrecognised States Numismatic Society, 2006.
- Micronations: Little Countries that Could, G4TV, Dave Roos, June 8, 2001.
- Born to rule, The Australian, Peter Needham, September 16, 2006.
- State of the nation, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Lynn Rapoport, February 28, 2007.
External links
- The Republic of Molossia official website
- Local blogger's account of a day visiting Molossia
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39°19′14″N 119°32′22″W / 39.32056°N 119.53944°W / 39.32056; -119.53944
