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For sale : World's smallest country (Principality of Sealand)
Antara News (Indonesia) ^ | January 8, 2007

Posted on 01/07/2007 11:55:54 PM PST by HAL9000

London (ANTARA News) - A former World War II fort in the North Sea, which was settled 40 years ago and declared a state with its own self-proclaimed royal family, is up for sale, The Times said Monday.

The tiny Principality of Sealand, which began life as Roughs Tower in 1941, is a 550 square metre (658 square yard) steel platform perched on two concrete towers 11 kilometres (seven miles) off the coast of Harwich, eastern England.

It is accessible only by helicopter and boat but according to its owners, who want offers of eight digits or over, boasts uninterrupted sea views, guarantees complete privacy and is a tax haven.

"We have owned the island for 40 years now and my father is 85," Prince Michael of Sealand was quoted by AFP as saying. "Perhaps it is time for some rejuvenation.

"Astronomical figures have been mentioned but we will just see what comes forward."

Although its nation status is disputed, Sealand boasts a military past like any other country, defending its sovereignty from outside threats.

Former British army major Paddy Roy Bates began occupying the island with his family in 1967, declared it a state in international waters and gave himself the title "prince".

Britain's Royal Navy attempted to evict him the following year but were unsuccessful. As they entered territorial waters, Roy of Sealand fired warning shots from the former fort.

A judge then ruled in his favour that Sealand was outside British government control as it was beyond the three-mile limit of the country's waters.

In 1974, Roy of Sealand introduced a constitution. A flag, national anthem, currency -- the gold and silver Sealand dollar which is the equivalent to the US dollar -- and passports have followed suit.

Four years later, Dutch and German businessmen on Sealand to discuss a business deal kidnapped Roy's son but were overpowered and held as prisoners of war before eventually being released.



TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: datahaven; godsgravesglyphs; havenco; northsea; sealand
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To: martin_fierro
Its Palace and slums occupy the same building.

How's that any different from half of the nations on the globe?

81 posted on 01/08/2007 10:07:59 AM PST by Teacher317
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To: All

Be a good place to hide from the upcoming zombie holocaust...At least I don't THINK the living dead can swim.


82 posted on 01/08/2007 10:15:27 AM PST by Armedanddangerous (Master of Sinanju (emeritus))
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To: arizonarachel
Seriously? I mean, seriously, people have been living there? For forty years? I am so baffled. It doesn't look nice at all.

It's bigger on the inside than it is on the outside.

See: Tardis

 

 

83 posted on 01/08/2007 10:32:31 AM PST by zeugma (If the world didn't suck, we'd all fall off.)
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To: Swordmaker
Hey Hal, let's get together another Freepathon after this one is done and raise enough money to buy our own country! We could call it the Island of FreeRepublic. It would be cool to have a seat in the UN. We could declare war on the US and lose and get tons of foreign aid!

Whoo hoo! I like that idea!

84 posted on 01/08/2007 2:55:18 PM PST by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: Jeff Chandler

There's several answers on Trivial Pursuit that are wrong.


85 posted on 01/08/2007 2:56:06 PM PST by mtbopfuyn (I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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To: Armedanddangerous

They might not be able to swim, but then again, it's not like that means they're going to drown either.


86 posted on 01/08/2007 2:58:48 PM PST by coloradan (Failing to protect the liberties of your enemies establishes precedents that will reach to yourself.)
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To: STARWISE

They might want to called HGTV for a Design To Sell episode. I'd bet they'd at least get them to put a coat of paint on it.


87 posted on 01/08/2007 2:58:56 PM PST by TravisBickle (This space left unintentionally blank.)
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To: patton

here's an entire country for you! ;)


88 posted on 01/08/2007 3:03:20 PM PST by leda (The quiet girl on the stairs.)
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To: LukeL

or better yet just HOST a P.O. box there for companies from all over the place to declare there home base there and skip trillions in taxes.


89 posted on 01/08/2007 3:04:31 PM PST by Mr. K (Some days even my lucky rocketship underpants don't help...)
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To: HAL9000
cool... I'd party there.

I'll bring a 6-pack of brew, a bottle of Jack Daniel's, + a bag of Taco Bell's Frito Burrito Supremes (I'd also pack a big net to install around the platform's base to keep me from falling into the "drink" after I've drinky ;-)

90 posted on 01/08/2007 3:05:01 PM PST by Trajan88 (www.bullittclub.com)
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To: Sally'sConcerns

Just looked at the pics....the inside is a dump too.....I can't believe anybody lives there...sheeeeesh!


91 posted on 01/08/2007 3:10:04 PM PST by mystery-ak (My Son, My Soldier, My Hero........God Speed Jonathan......)
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To: Erasmus
The usual. Golf, Skiiing, Hiking, Foosball.

Ah, hiking I like. I hope they offer tour guides as I wouldn't know my way around the island.

92 posted on 01/08/2007 4:13:25 PM PST by Zack Attack
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To: coloradan

Good point..they can walk..I forgot about Land of the Dead..they walked in the river!

My bad


93 posted on 01/08/2007 8:20:48 PM PST by Armedanddangerous (Master of Sinanju (emeritus))
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To: HAL9000
Bumping this to post the new link on Drudge.

Swedish file-sharing website The Pirate Bay is planning to buy its own nation in an attempt to circumvent international copyright laws.

From the article
A firm of Spanish estate agents has valued the island at £504 million

for a platform in the middle of nowhere? Go figure.

94 posted on 01/13/2007 5:00:24 PM PST by Zack Attack
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95 posted on 11/17/2007 7:29:05 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Profile updated Saturday, November 17, 2007"'"'"'"'"'"'"'"'"'https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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