The United Nations of Eccentricity: Fascinating portraits of the world's 'Micronations' which have declared independence from the rest of the world
- Micronations are tiny states that claim to be an independent or sovereign nations
- However, they are not formally recognised by the governments of the world
- Believed to be approximately 400 micronations scattered around the globe
- Photographer Leó Delafontaine travelled to document their unique and colourful lives
They're the smallest countries in the world - and they're proud of it.
A micronation is a piece of land that claims to be an independent or sovereign nation, but is not officially recognized by the governments of the world.
In 2012, fascinated photographer Leó Delafontaine began documenting them, visiting six countries and three continents to capture life inside the unique mini-states. The people he met were eccentrics determined to carve out their own place in the world - and so they did exactly that.
There are many reasons for the founding of the micronations, ranging from symbols of defiance, to boost tourism or solely for fun. Current reports put the number of micronations scattered around the world at approximately 400, with more being created every year.
Delafontaine hoped the pictures would not only shed a light on the little-known phenomenon, but also provoke 'the need to think about the geopolitical, national, and cultural questions that micronations generate'.
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THE KINGDOM OF ELLEORE
WHERE: The island of Elleore is located off the Roskilde Fjord on the north coast of Denmark
SIZE: 0.6 square miles
POPULATION: 370
HISTORY: The Kingdom Of Elleore was founded in 1944, by schoolteachers who brought their pupils there for a summer camp. Now it comes alive for one week every August, when 370 Danes arrive for their annual week-long camp where they throw parties and play games. It even has its own national sport, called 'cracket'.
Popular: Every summer, the Kingdom of Elleore bursts into life as visitors descend on the island to party and play games. Here, members of the Kingdom band The Butterflies pose for photographer Leó Delafontaine
Party: Hundreds of children gather to dress up for one week every summer on the island, where they use of 'Elleore Standard Time', which is 12 minutes behind Danish time
Heritage: The Kingdom was first formed in 1944 by schoolteachers who brought their pupils there, and to this day there remains strict rules. Bringing a copy of 'Robinson Cruesoe' on to the island can be punished by a sentence of 11 minutes and 17 seconds in prison
THE CONSULATE OF LA BOIRIE
WHERE: North-west France
SIZE: 0.02 square miles
POPULATION: Three
HISTORY: The Consulate Of La Boirie was founded by three friends in August 2006. The trio of Phillipe, Pascal and Sebastien proclaimed their guest house as independent declaring it a place of tolerance, hedonism and eco-citizenship. Unfortunately, consular business ended in August 2012 when Pascal sadly passed away.
Eccentric: The Consulate of La Boirie in north-west France was founded in the guest house owned by friends Phillipe, Pascal and Sebastien
Striking: Sadly, Pascal - pictured here in the micronation's uniform - passed away in 2012. The trio had organised balls and murder mystery parties for guests
Extravagant: The trio declared their land as independent from France and said it was a place of tolerance, hedonism and eco-citizenship
THE EMPIRE OF ATLANTIUM
WHERE: New South Wales, Australia
SIZE: 0.29 square miles
POPULATION: 2,000
HISTORY: George Cruickshank founded the Empire of Atlantium in 1981 as a platform to campaign for issues including gay marriage and euthanasia. A local celebrity, he is a committed believer in mini-states and also serves as the president of PoliNations, a series of conferences for micronations
Campaigner: George Cruickshank - known as Emperor George II - is also a radio presenter on a local station in New South Wales, Australia
Celebrity: George is an outspoken campaigner on many issues and enjoys media attention. The official languages of the Empire of Atlantium are listed as English, Arabic, Hindi, Mandarin and Latin
THE PRINCIPALITY OF SEBORGA
WHERE: North-west Italy
SIZE: 5.4 square miles
POPULATION: 350
HISTORY: Seborga was actually a principality under the Pope's protection in the Holy Roman Empire in 1079, but fell off the map until the 1960s, when local florist Giorgio Carbone proclaimed its historical independence as a principality once more. Sadly, Giorgio passed away in 2009 and his successor Marcello Menegatto now dreams of building a golf course and luxury hotel there
Proud: The Principality's armed force is called Corpo della Guardia, responsible for the defense of borders and maintaining public order
Noble: Tiny Seborga has a proud history, and was formerly a principality under the Pope's protection in the Holy Roman Empire in 1079
Salute: Popular with tourists, the Principality's guards are also tasked with protecting the Prince and his family
THE REPUBLIC OF SAUGEAIS
WHERE: Eastern France
SIZE: 49.4 square miles
POPULATION: 5,029
HISTORY: The Republic of Saugeais is made up of a total of 11 villages in the eastern French department of Haut-Doubs, on the Swiss border. It started as a joke between Georges Pourchet, owner of the Hôtel de l'Abbaye in the region, who teased the local prefect that he needed a pass to enter his establishment. The visitor promptly appointed Pourchet president of the new Free Republic of Saugeais. Pourchet was succeeded by his widow, Gabrielle, then his daughter, Georgette.
Regal: Georgette Bertin-Pourchet, President of the Republic of Saugeais. The micronation was founded by her father George in 1947
Official: Jacques Vuillemin, customs officer of the Republic of Saugeais. The republic has its own stamps, national anthem and entry passes
THE REPUBLIC OF MOLOSSIA
WHERE: Nevada, USA
SIZE: 0.0002 square miles
POPULATION: 27
HISTORY: The Republic of Molossia was founded by Kevin Baugh in 1999, when he declared himself president of the area surrounding his home in Dayton, Nevada. A dedicated supporter of micronations, he helped to found the first Microlympic Games in 2000, where he took gold in the frisbee event
Proud: President Baugh claims Molossia is a sovereign, independent state, completely surrounded by the USA
Structure: The Republic has its own post office (left) and Baugh has said that the name Molossia (right) is derived from the Spanish word morro which means 'small rocky hill'
THE CONCH REPUBLIC
WHERE: Key West, Florida, USA
SIZE: 5.95 square miles
POPULATION: 24,909
HISTORY: The Conch Republic has its origins in a road block. In 1982, US Border Patrol set up a stop in Key West to search for drugs and illegal immigrants, which led to angry locals insisting it was harming their tourist trade. They said they were being treated like a foreign country, and so they established The Conch Republic as a symbol of defiance and to boost visitors. Key West's mayor at the time, Dennis Wardlow, was proclaimed as the first Prime Minister of the Republic and tourism soon soared back to its normal levels.
Symbolic: Every April 23rd, proud citizens celebrate the Republic's 'Independence Day', which kicks off a week long festival
Organised: Sir Peter Anderson, secretary general and founding member of the Conch Republic, which is one of the few micronations that issues passports
THE KINGDOM OF CALSAHARA
WHERE: Pennsylvania, USA
SIZE: 0.2 square miles
POPULATION: Varies between 3 and 10
HISTORY: The Kingdom of Calsahara was founded by passionate micronation fan Travis McHenry, who declared himself king of his plot of land in rural Pennsylvania in 2009 and took the title of King Montague. He had previously also exploited a legal loophole to declare a huge swath of land on the Antarctic continent for himself. The name 'Calsahara' comes from a combination of California and Sahara.
Passionate: King Montague has a long-standing friendship with the Republic of Molossia and has even been appointed as Grand Admiral of the Molossian Navy. The micronation has its own stamp and currency, both of which feature his image
THE PRINCIPALITY OF SEALAND
WHERE: Approximately eight miles off the coast of Suffolk, England
SIZE: 0.0003 square miles
POPULATION: Four
HISTORY: Perhaps the best-known micronation, the Prinicipality of Sealand is located on an abandoned World War Two military platform off the coast of Great Britain in international waters. It was first established in 1967 by Paddy Roy Bates in order to emit pirate radio broadcasts and has since established its own flag and currency, and also issues passports
Destination: Originally built as an anti-air defensive gun platform during World War Two, Sealand now boasts a living area with multiple bedrooms, a chapel and a prison
Heritage: Prince Michael (left) took control of Sealand in 1999. Princess Charley of Sealand (right) is seen surveying their principality
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