The Principality of Sealand

Okay, boys and girls, get out your maps and find The Principality of Sealand.

What? You can’t find it? That’s because it is a “country� built on an abandoned sea platform in the British Channel near the Thames Estuary. It was originally built by Great Britain to protect the mouth of the Thames River, and then it was abandoned after World War II. However, a family then took possession of this steel and concrete structure in international waters, and founded Sealand. According to the Sealand web site, several internation courts have recognized the independence of Sealand. Sealand now has a Royal family, it hosts businesses, it issues stamps and marriage licenses, and has fought a war.