The Town That Legally Declared Itself a Micronation (and Issues Passports)

The small country of the Republic of Molossia is located within the borders of Nevada. Yes, its an actual place and was declared a country.

The micronation that is the Republic of Molossia as founded in 1977 by James Spielman and Kevin Baugh. The idea was inspired by a film Baugh and his friends watched when they were teenagers. This allowed them to turn the idea in toa reality and create a micronation that sits on barely more than an acre of land. The republic is home to 34 citizens who hold dual citizenship in the republic and the United States, which might be fun for these citizens.

Its become a tourist destination in an unlikely area

The small town of Molossia features a post office, bank, grocery store, jail, and a tiki bar. All of these things are on the small plot of land that makes up this micronation. According to Baugh, the country was able to generate a stable economy, mostly through visitors who buy the country’s stamps, the currency, and enjoy time at the tiki bar. This all sounds lucrative but doesn’t stop the republic from requiring some outside help.

The foreign aid

Call if foreign aid if you like or call the Republic of Molossia a small but laughable place with little to offer, outside of the fact that it’s a tiny nation. This little country relies on foreign aid for gas, water, and electricity, which all come from the United States. The only exports to the US are the children and trash, which seems like Molossia is getting the much better part of this deal. The foreign aid seems more like the United States is simply supplying a one acre home with the necessary utilities to run that home.

Visitors must go through customs

The small area inside the Nevada border has declared itself a country. That means visitors must go through customs to enter, which all happily do. The Baugh family greets visitors at the border when they come to visit, and the tour begins with use of telephone services, the town square, and a rocket launch, which is the Molossian space program. Of course, there’s also a group tour in front of the ‘Tower of the Winds.’ The unique concept of starting a country inside another country seems pretty lucrative and interesting for the Baugh family

A little history

The early years

The founding of the Molossian Nation took place on May 26, 1977. At this time, it was known as the Grand Republic of Vuldestein with James Spielman declared as King James I, and Kevin Baugh declared as Prime Minister. The nation experienced a period of dormancy, which mean that King James I became inactive and the kingdom continued without his direct participation.

Baugh continued to be active and renamed it the Kingdom of Edelstein in 1980 and then renamed it again in 1988 to the Kingdom of Zaria. Eventually, the micronation found its way to Nevada and land was purchased in 1998 to create a permanent location for the nation.

Focus on small nations

The Republic of Molossia hosted the first Intermicronational Olympic Games, which was held in concert with the 2000 Sydney Games. They also sponsored the adoption of Norton Day, which is January 8, and was named as the first international holiday exclusively for small nations.

A small war

When micronations attack each other does anyone notice? According to the History of Molossia, the small country was attacked by the nearby small nation of Mustachistan on May 22, 2006. This brief war, which ended on June 8, 2006, with a resounding victory for Molossia.

Another small war took place in 2010 when the Molossian government was briefly overthrown. The country was renamed to Kickassia and a dictatorial leader assumed control. The authoritarian style was his downfall and the government collapsed with invaders departing peacefully and Molossia was restored.

Molossia was around for a long time

The Republic of Molossia was around for a long time, giving it a level of respect and notoriety among other micronations. The country was featured in several radio interviews, a television interview, newspapers, and magazines around the world. This little country was a success during its time in existence.

Most people would not think to start their own country, especially not inside the borders of another country or state, but the residents of the Republic of Molossia enjoyed a long run as a micronation located on a small plot of land in Nevada. Will you visit this country, despite its status of not being officially recognized as a country?