DO YOU KNOW WHERE IS THE SMALLEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD

 PRINCIPALITY OF SEALAND

 

The smallest country in the world is not Vatican City, but this small offshore platform in the North Sea known as Sealand. As the name suggests, it is a land surrounded by sea on all sides. However, Vatican City is the smallest country recognized internationally. Sealand on the other hand is not! 

 

 

 

The Principality of Sealand is an unrecognized micronation that boasts an offshore platform HM Fort Ruffs (also known as Ruffs Tower) in the North Sea, approximately 12 kilometers (7.5 mi) off the coast of Suffolk, as that its area. Ruffs Tower is a Maunsell sea fort built by the British in international waters during World War II. Since 1967, the decommissioned Ruffs Tower has been occupied and claimed as a sovereign state by the family and associates of Paddy Roy Bates. Bates confiscated Ruffs Tower in 1967 from a group of pirate radio broadcasters with the intention of setting up his own station. Sealand was invaded by mercenaries in 1978, but was able to repel the attack. Since 1987, when the United Kingdom increased its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, the platform has been in British territory. While Sealand has been described as the smallest country in the world, it is not recognized by any sovereign state.

How and when was Sealand formed?

 

Sealand was created by the British during World War II. It was used as a fort for the army and navy. It was located outside UK waters (the border), so it should have been demolished after the war ended, but somehow it was not destroyed. During World War II, in 1943, HM Fort Roughs was constructed by the UK government as Maunsell Forts. They are mainly used as a defense against important shipping lanes in nearby estuaries. It was also useful against German mine-laying aircraft. These Maunsel forts were closed in 1956.

Who owns Sealand?

In 1967 Sealand was occupied by Paddy Roy Bates. He got it claimed by pirate radio broadcasters and declared it a sovereign country. However, for the last 54 years it has been operating in defiance of the United Kingdom government. However, the Principality of Sealand is a disputed micronation. It is located 12 kilometers off the coast of Suffolk as its territory.

Sealand's total area 

Area total 0.004 km (0.0015 sq mi)

Here is the Prince of Sealand and his seal

 

Sealand Currency and passport

 Sealand flag

 

The British Government's case against Bates

In 1968, British workers attempted to enter the Principality of Sealand to serve their shipping buoys. Bates tried to scare them by firing some warning shots. Although at that time it was a British subject, so he was summoned by the UK Court. They were not punished as the offenses committed were outside the 3 nautical miles of the country's waters and thus the case could not proceed. It was then that Bates introduced a constitution, a national flag and national anthem along with currencies and passports in Sealand. 

History (HM Fort Ruffs)

In 1943, during World War II, HM Fort Ruffs (sometimes called Ruffs Tower) was constructed by the United Kingdom as a Maunsell fortress, primarily from a German mine - from a nearby neighbourhood. Protecting important shipping lanes against laying in aircraft. It consists of a floating pontoon base consisting of a superstructure of two hollow towers connected by a deck to which other structures can be attached. The fort was moved to a position above the Rough Sands sandbar, where its base was deliberately flooded to drown its final resting place. It is approximately 7 nautical miles (13 km) off the coast of Suffolk, which is outside the United Kingdom's then 3 nmi (6 km) claim and, therefore, is in international waters. The facility was occupied by 150–300 Royal Navy personnel during World War II; The last full-time employees left in 1956. Mounsel Fort was closed in the 1950s.

Business and establishment

Ruffs Tower was captured by Jack Moore and his daughter Jane on behalf of the pirate station Wonderful Radio London in February and August 1965. On 2 September 1967, the fort was occupied by British civilian and pirate radio broadcaster Major Paddy Roy Bates. , who ousted a competing group of pirate broadcasters. Bates intended to broadcast his pirate radio station - Radio Essex - from the stage. Despite having the necessary equipment, he never started broadcasting. Bates declared independence.