Basically, the
British Military set up these AA defense
outposts along their east coast during
World War II. After the war, they pulled them all down but one, which was left deserted. This base was outside of the current territorial waters of
Great Britain, and so according to
international law, it could be occupied. And it was, by British major Paddy Roy Bates, who promptly hoisted his own
flag and founded his own state called the Principality of Sealand, on Sept 2, 1967. GB didn't like this, so they sent
warships to try to take possession ot the base (
brute force on top of
stupidity). Now, this base may have been
deserted, but it wasn't unarmed. He 'availed' himself of his right to self-defense, and fired
warning shots at them. He was taken to court over this, but it was decided that the power of the courts didn't extend out that far. So
legally, he is the rightful
ruler of this
miniscule state. As of Sept 1998, he has 160 000 subjects, and interestingly enough, as nearly all of his
subjects are wealthy businessmen, his country has the highest per-capita
wealth in the
world.
Official Websites:
http://www.principality-sealand.net
http://www.sealandgov.com
http://www.
havenco.com