Molossia

The Republic of Molossia is a micronation, founded by Kevin Baugh humorously as a "dictatorial banana-republic" and headquartered solely from a tiny home near Dayton, Nevada.

It consists of Baugh's house (known as Government House), backyard and front garden, about 1.3 acres (0.5 ha) of land, as well as another property surrounded on all sides by Nevada. It formerly claimed a property in Pennsylvania as well. According to author John Ryan, Molossia is "a hobby... that has been pushed... to the nth degree."[2] Originally established as a childhood project in 1977, Molossia subsequently evolved into a territorial entity in the late 1990s.

The name Molossia is derived from the Spanish word morro which means "small rocky hill". Baugh has stated that the ancient Greek tribe of Molossians is unrelated.[3] {| class="toc" id="toc" style="font-size:12px;border-color:rgb(170,170,170);color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:sans-serif;line-height:19.200000762939453px;"

Contents
[hide] *1 History
 * 2 Territory
 * 3 Operations
 * 3.1 Proclamations
 * 3.2 Structure
 * 3.3 Foreign relations
 * 4 Molossian Postal and Telegraph Service
 * 5 Tourism
 * 6 War With East Germany
 * 7 In popular culture
 * 8 See also
 * 9 Notes
 * 10 References
 * 11 External links
 * }

[edit] History
Molossia traces its origins to a childhood micronation project, the Grand Republic of Vuldstein, which was created by Baugh and James Spielman on May 26, 1977. Vuldstein's leadership—and entire population—consisted of King James I (Spielman), and Prime Minister Baugh, although James soon left, leaving "Vuldstein" largely defunct, although over the years it became several nomadic kingdoms as Baugh travelled around Europe.

On September 3, 1999, Baugh created the Republic of Molossia as a latter day successor to Vuldstein, and declared himself to be its president.

[edit] Territory
Border sign, Harmony ProvinceMolossia consisted of two properties, (previously three) located within the continental United States and comprising a total area of 6.3 acres (2.5 ha), these are owned by Baugh. Harmony Province is located near Dayton, Nevada and is the smallest of Molossia's territories at little more than one acre in size. It is the Baugh family's primary place of residence, and the site of Molossia's designated capital, Espera.

The Protectorate of New Antrim was located at an undisclosed location in Pennsylvania and was the largest of Molossia's territories at a little over 8 acres (3.2 ha) in extent. It was named for the Northern Irish County Antrim and had its own governor, Grand Admiral Hess. It is no longer claimed by Molossia.

In August 2003, Baugh purchased a small piece of rural land in Northern California. This was referred to the Colony of Farfalla. The property was sold late in 2005, after Baugh inherited more land which he subsequently named Desert Homestead Province, in Southern California.[3] Desert Homestead was previously owned by Baugh's grandfather, and the property has since been declared a "national monument" dedicated to him.[3]

Vesperia is the name of Molossia's claim of 49,881 square miles (130,000 km2 ) on the planet of Venus.

Also, Molossia claims a spot named Neptune Deep in the North Pacific Ocean, about 750 kilometres (470 mi) southwest of Mexico.[4]

[edit] Operations
President Kevin Baugh (born July 30, 1962)=== [edit] Proclamations=== <p style="line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">The Republic of Molossia claims to be a sovereign, independent nation-state, completely surrounded by the United States. As a result, it has adopted a system of government recognizably similar in structure to that of a sovereign state.

[edit] Structure
<p style="line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">Molossia is a republic governed by a constitution creating a National Assembly and other institutions of state. However, "due to unrest and the ever-present foreign menace from over the border", a state of martial law exists, enabling the President, Kevin Baugh, to exercise all powers of governance, including foreign affairs.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mo_2-3" style="line-height:1em;">[3]

[edit] Foreign relations
<p style="line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">Molossia recognizes several other micronations, with numerous treaties enacted to this end.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mo_2-4" style="line-height:1em;">[3] In May 2008, a summit was held with Grand Duke Paul, leader of the Grand Duchy of Greifenberg, another micronation. Plans were made for the revitalization of the League of Small Nations, a nearly defunct organization devoted to the prosperity of all micronations claiming land. This was Molossia's first ever formal state visit.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wikinews_4-0" style="line-height:1em;">[5] Molossia asserts it was one of the first countries to recognize the Republic of Kosovo, one day after the Albanian majority country was declared on February 18, 2008, with Baugh sending an official letter to the newly formed government.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-5" style="line-height:1em;">[6]. However Molossia now only opens informal relations with other states.

[edit] Molossian Postal and Telegraph Service
<p style="line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">The Molossian Postal and Telegraph Service only functions within the Republic of Molossia since the micronation is unrecognized and therefore has no equivalent agencies outside it. The Postal and Telegraph Service currently produces cinderella stamps <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-6" style="line-height:1em;">[7] <sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-7" style="line-height:1em;">[8].

[edit] Tourism
Molossian customs station<p style="line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">In recent years the various micronation-themed art installations and landscaping projects that Baugh has constructed around his home have begun to attract the interest of some outside Molossia,<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-wikinews_4-1" style="line-height:1em;">[5] to the extent that up to 10 tourists now visit annually.<sup class="Template-Fact" style="line-height:1em;white-space:nowrap;">[citation needed]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">Visits are only possible by prior arrangement, and involve a 45-minute guided tour conducted by Baugh—typically in uniform. Visitors are required to produce a passport and their pocket change in order to be admitted.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-8" style="line-height:1em;">[9] Baugh has stated that these requirements are waived for citizens ofAndorra, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Monaco, Seborga and "any other country recognized by Molossia".<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-mo_2-5" style="line-height:1em;">[3]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">Several items are banned in Molossia, including tobacco and incandescent light bulbs.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-9" style="line-height:1em;">[10]

[edit] War With East Germany
<p style="line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">The Republic of Molossia has claimed to be fighting a war with East Germany<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-molossiaeastgermanywar_10-0" style="line-height:1em;">[11] and it has issued war bonds to stop the war.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-11" style="line-height:1em;">[12] It claims to have been fighting it since November 2, 1983.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-molossiaeastgermanywar_10-1" style="line-height:1em;">[11]

[edit] In popular culture
<p style="line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">Molossia was the main focus and site of the two-year anniversary of the That Guy with the Glasses website. Doug Walker produced a six-part film starring Channel Awesome members called Kickassia, set primarily in Molossia and a nearby hotel. In the film, the Nostalgia Critic attempts to conquer Molossia and become its new leader, with the help of various other members of the That Guy With the Glasses site. Kevin Baugh played the opposing force. The invaders temporarily succeed and rename the nation "Kickassia", but Baugh manipulates the group into dethroning the Nostalgia Critic and giving him back his presidency.<sup class="reference" id="cite_ref-12" style="line-height:1em;">[13]

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">Molossia has also made an appearance as one of several micronations in the Japanese online webcomic, Hetalia: Axis Powers. He is mostly seen interacting with other micronations such as Sealand, Seborga, and Wy.

<p style="margin-top:0.4em;margin-bottom:0.5em;line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;">Mentioned in the book Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-Made Nations

[edit] See also

 * List of micronations
 * Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-Made Nations

[edit] Notes

 * 1) ^ "Newsbites, 18 March 2012".
 * 2) ^ "'Lonely Planet' Explores Micronations". Day to Day (National Public Radio). 2006-11-01. Retrieved 2008-04-19.
 * 3) ^ <sup style="line-height:1em;">a <sup style="line-height:1em;">b <sup style="line-height:1em;">c <sup style="line-height:1em;">d <sup style="line-height:1em;">e <sup style="line-height:1em;">f "Republic of Molossia".
 * 4) ^ "Neptune Deep". Republic of Molossia. Retrieved 24 March 2010.
 * 5) ^ <sup style="line-height:1em;">a <sup style="line-height:1em;">b "Follow-up interview with Kevin Baugh, president of the Republic of Molossia".Wikinews. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
 * 6) ^ "Kosovo" (Press release). Molossia.
 * 7) ^ http://www.molossia.org/pictures/stamp11.gif
 * 8) ^ http://www.molossia.org/pictures/stampslg.jpg
 * 9) ^ http://www.molossia.org/media/interview.html
 * 10) ^ "Republic of Molossia announces new customs station". Wikinews. 2008-05-12. Retrieved 2008-08-13.
 * 11) ^ <sup style="line-height:1em;">a <sup style="line-height:1em;">b http://www.molossia.org/war/eastgermany.html
 * 12) ^ http://www.molossia.org/war/bonds.html
 * 13) ^ "The Invasion Movie!" molossia.org. Accessed 2010-12-04.

[edit] References

 * In The Spirit Of Independence Day - One nation, under me, The Chicago Tribune, Colleen Mastoni, July 3, 2008.
 * Ryan, John. Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Self-Proclaimed Nations, ISBN 1-74104-730-7.
 * iBerkshires Bite-sized sovereignties offer worlds of fun, February 2, 2005.
 * Micronations: Republic of Molossia, Unrecognised States Numismatic Society, 2006.
 * Micronations: Little Countries that Could, G4TV, Dave Roos, June 8, 2001.
 * Born to rule, The Australian, Peter Needham, September 16, 2006.
 * State of the nation, San Francisco Bay Guardian, Lynn Rapoport, February 28, 2007.

[edit] External links
<p style="line-height:19.200000762939453px;font-family:sans-serif;"> <span id="coordinates" style="position:absolute;top:0em;right:0em;float:right;margin:0em;padding:0em;line-height:1.5em;text-align:right;font-size:11px;white-space:nowrap;">Coordinates: <span class="geo-dms" style="display:inline;" title="Maps, aerial photos, and other data for this location">39°19′14″N 119°32′22″W
 * The Republic of Molossia official website
 * Local blogger's account of a day visiting Molossia