Top 10 Smallest Nations on Earth

Also known as the Free Republic of Liberland, this tiny micronation lies between Croatia and Serbia on the edge of the Danube river. This is one of the newest examples on our list, having been declared in 2015. It was created as a reaction to the ongoing Croatia–Serbia border dispute, which left residents of the area in the crosshairs of two larger nations. Vít Jedlička, an activist from the Czech Party of Free Citizens, deemed the area unclaimed by either Croatia or Serbia and inaugurated a micronation with the motto, “To Live and Let Live.”

Sure, it’s easy to imagine micronations existing in faraway lands, but did you know that Americans also have them in their own backyard? The Republic of Molossia is located near Dayton, Nevada and is completely surrounded by the United States. It consists of just three properties, all owned by Kevin Baugh, who is also the micronation’s president. Molossia has 27 residents as of the last census in 2012 and has long been at war with East Germany, despite the fact that it seems to be a pretty peaceful “war.” As a matter of fact, East Germany may or may not be aware it’s taking place. Especially since East Germany hasn’t formally existed since 1990.

Situated in Copenhagen, Denmark, this micronation acts more as an intentional community of those who wish to live alternative lifestyles. It covers 19 acres in the neighborhood of Christianshavn and has between 850 and 1000 residents. In earlier years, Christiana was able to exist outside of Danish law and until 2004 marijuana was openly sold there. Authorities have since cracked down, however, and the trade is no longer tolerated. Christiania is a popular tourist attraction and the commune welcomes visitors to come and bear witness to the community they have built.

The Segway may not have taken off like its manufacturers hoped, but inventor Dean Kamen certainly made plenty of money from this and other creations. He is the owner of North Dumpling Island, which is situated off the coast of Connecticut. The island being a micronation initially started as a joke, but Kamen has since become more serious about it, creating a constitution as well as a flag. Though it’s not officially recognized by the United States, Kamen’s friendship with George H.W. Bush resulted in the next best thing: a non-aggression pact between the two nations. It’s unofficial, but hey, it’s something.

Though it has been referred to disparagingly as “The Italian Village That Thinks It’s a Country,” the Principality of Seborga has made several serious attempts towards sovereignty. Located in Liguria in Northern Italy, this 3,500 acre land mass was allegedly once independent from the rest of Italy. Because it was not specifically named when Italy was unified in 1861, resident Giorgio Carbone claimed in the 1960’s that it should be considered an independent principality. He personally took up the lofty title of His Tremendousness Giorgio I, Prince of Seborga, an honor that he maintained until he died in 2009.

Swedish artist Lars Vilks created two sculptures in the 1980’s and placed them in Kullaberg nature reserve. Constructing any kind of structure was forbidden on the reserve, so authorities insisted that they be removed. After the Swedish government ruled against Vilks’s wishes to allow the statues to remain, he attempted to declare the land surrounding one of them as a sovereign country. Bold move just for the sake of art! Technically, the population of Ladonia is zero. But as of 2020 22,858 people from around the world have deemed themselves Ladonian citizens despite the fact that they don’t actually reside in the micronation’s borders.

Chronicled in the 2005 BBC documentary “How to Start Your Own Country,” The Kingdom of Lovely is the result of one comedian’s attempt to create a micronation in his London flat. Danny Wallace is the owner and one-time resident of the flat, which eventually became Lovely. Harnessing the power of online community, Wallace managed to amass 58,165 “citizens” for his micronation. These citizens simply have to photograph Lovely’s flag wherever they reside, and they can become ambassadors of the nation. The nation uses the unique currency of Interdependent Occupational Units, which is based on the concept that “time is money.”

With an area of 29 square miles, the Principality of Hutt River (formerly known as Hutt River Province) is actually larger than some countries. Situated near Northampton in Western Australia, this micronation was established on April 21st, 1970 by Leonard Casley who made a declaration that his farm was an independent nation. After 45 years in power, Casley abdicated the throne, ceding it to his son. Though it wasn’t recognized by the Australian government, Hutt River became a popular tourist attraction. Sadly, it was officially dissolved on August 3rd, 2020.

In 1982, in an attempt to crack down on the drug trade and illegal immigration, the United States Border Patrol established a checkpoint on the road that connects the Florida Keys to the rest of the state. This roadblock caused traffic jams and affected the tourism industry, prompting Mayor Dennis Wardlow to declare independence for the region, since they were being treated like they were a foreign nation anyway. He eventually declared war on the United States, surrendered just a minute later and then went on to request a billion dollars in foreign aid. Bold move, Wardlow!

This micronation is unique because it’s not even on land. Based on Roughs Tower, an out of use sea fort off the coast of Suffolk, it was created by Paddy Roy Bates. In 1967, Bates took over the fort from pirate radio broadcasters, in the hopes of creating a radio station of his own. While Sealand never garnered official recognition, Bates claimed that they did receive de facto recognition, and that was good enough for him. In his older years, he moved back to the mainland and left his son Michael as the regent of Sealand.