How to Start a Micronation

Planning

Set a goal for your micronation. Are you looking for a fun project, or are you interested in creating an actual sovereign nation? Think about why you want to create a micronation and what you hope to get out of it. Figuring out what type of micronation you want will help you determine how to proceed. Types of micronations include: Historical, social, political, or economic simulations Exercises in personal entertainment, fantasy, or artistic expression Models for utopian worlds

Research other micronations. To ensure you have a complete understanding of what a micronation is and what it entails, do some research on other micronations. Some are created as a hobby, while others are created in earnest. Find more information in books, like Kathy Ceceri’s Micronations: Invent Your Own Country and Culture or Erwin S. Strauss’s How to Start Your Own Country. You can also find tons of information on the Internet or watch films such as The Mouse That Roared, Moon Over Parador, and The Prisoner of Zenda. Look into other micronations, like The Republic of Molossia, Freetown Christiania, and The Principality of Hutt River.

Decide how serious you are about this project. You may want to create a micronation as a fun hobby with like-minded individuals. Or, you may take this endeavor quite seriously with the hopes of achieving independence for your nation. Recognize that there are many hurdles you will need to face if the latter is your goal. Expect to encounter challenges along the way, such as finding citizens, claiming territory, constructing a government, creating industries, establishing an economy, and entering into foreign relations.

Choose a name for your nation. Your new nation will need a name. Consider your goals when determining a name. If you are looking to keep your parents from harassing you about chores, you could pick something like “The Nation of Dirty Laundry.” However, if you truly hope to have your micronation taken seriously, choose a more appropriate name, like “The Mountain Republic” or “The Free Island of the Pacific.” Search it up before using it (remember, someone else might have chosen this name).

Find citizens to join your nation. While there are many one-person micronations out there, you’ll need citizens to join your micronation if you intend to achieve sovereignty. You can ask friends, neighbors, and family members. You can also find citizens through advertisements or on the Internet through your own website or micronation forums.

Work to meet the four requirements of statehood. If you’re hoping to secede from your parent nation, you’ll need to meet specific statehood requirements. 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 requirements, you’ll have a sovereign nation, but you're still considered a micronation until another country officially recognizes you.

Nation Building

Claim territory for your nation. You don't have to buy any land for a nation; you have to claim it. It can be a room in your home, your backyard, your whole property, or something public, such as a park or an empty lot. You can also claim an uninhabited island or a deserted section of the forest. Be sure to find out and follow the laws concerning claiming land in your area. Some micronation creators choose to live on a ship off the coast of a sovereign nation, as well.

Construct a government for your nation. Decide on a type of government, such as a republic, monarchy, or dictatorship. You could also create your own political party. Enforce this government and ask other citizens to become officials. You can choose to be the leader or elect someone else to be the leader of your new government.

Create laws and restrictions. You can create a constitution or write laws for your micronation. For example, you can choose to ban certain items in your country, extract fees for entering your nation, or have your citizens pay taxes. Micronations are free to create whatever laws or restrictions they wish!

Build an economy. Every nation needs a strong economy to succeed. You can choose to use the currency of your parent nation or create your own! You can order custom coins and currency online if you decide to create your own. Create and develop industries and discuss trade options and other economic factors, like if you’ll have a stock market, as well.

Develop diplomatic relationships. You can contact other micronations' leaders to develop diplomatic relationships and ratify an international treaty or alliance. Your friends or relatives can be ambassadors of your country. Remember to use official and formal language in your documents and at diplomatic meetings, especially if you’re communicating with established governments.

Issue passports and stamps. You can make your own stamps, assuming you’d have your own postal service to deliver mail or go online to order custom stamps that your parent government will recognize. Passports are another item your citizens may need if they plan to leave or reenter the land that’s been designated for your micronation. Enlist your citizens to help you design and manufacture these essentials.

Add attractions to your territory. If you’re aiming to become a sovereign nation, you’ll need housing, schools, offices, farms, stores, banks, industries, and more. You could also add a park, memorial, small museum, or gallery to your micronation’s territory. For example, you can fill a memorial room with important documents, artifacts, paintings, and photos of your micronation's history.

Creating National Identity

Create a website for your nation. The truth is, many micronations exist exclusively online. Creating a website is an important step to starting a micronation, but it shouldn’t be the extent of the work you do. However, a website does let others know of your presence and can help you find citizens and donations for your nation. Please spend some time learning how to create a website or ask a tech-savvy friend for their help.

Decide what will represent your micronation. Every nation needs an anthem, flag, coat of arms, and national motto! You can also choose national symbols such as national bird, animal, food, or sport. This is an entertaining part of creating a micronation, as you have complete creative control over choosing what songs and symbols represent your micronation best. Go online to order custom flags, pins, etc., for your micronation.

Define national holidays. For example, you may want to celebrate the day of the establishment of your micronation, anniversaries of historical events (Victory in Europe Day, International Workers' Day, the day you created your micronation, etc.), or religious holidays (Christmas, All Saints’ Day, etc.). Ask your citizens what they would like to celebrate and why to help you decide on the best holidays for your micronation.

Participate in activities as a micronation. Activities are a great way to promote your nation and create interesting info to add to your website. If there is enough population in your nation, you could form a sports team or negotiate international trade between people or micronations. You could also create a float about your micronation to put in a parade in your area, host a jam session or poetry reading, or host a costume contest or talent show.