On the entire planet, there are only nine countries smaller than San Marino , which was founded in the year 301 C.E. by Saint Marinus. San Marino is not only oldest republic still in existence but one of the smallest, ranking 223 rd out of 232 recognized nations. The statistics however fail to take into consideration the many micro nations that have declared their independence. Micro nations like the Purple Bunny Federation, Terre d'riches and the Virtual Commonwealth of Cyberia prove that not everyone has lost their sense of humor. I think however that I would be just a bit embarrassed to try to cross any international borders with a passport issued by the Purple Bunny Federation. The micro nation of Sealand takes itself somewhat more seriously, but even they never really remove their tongue from their cheek, but that's what happens when you choose to squat on an abandoned off shore drilling platform off the coast of England .
It would be very nice if the history of micronations was simply one of people looking to have a bit of fun. Micronatios making a general statement about government (Look at The Republic of Indian Stream, which claimed territory in New Hampshire in the early 19th century) would be fine as well. Unfortunately, not all founders of micronations have had such innocent goals in mind. Scotsman Gregor MacGregor’s efforts in the early days of the 19th century immediately spring to mind. Using a legal land grant from a South American sovereign, MacGregor created the Territory of Poyais. McGregor then returned to the United Kingdom and proceeded to appoint diplomats to act on behalf of Poyais. He was not hesitant to accept bribes for the appointments and impressed people in the UK with his successes as a benevolent prince. He successfully sold the right to act on behalf of the kingdom, titles and parcels of land. He was granted an audience with the Court of St. James and generally dazzled the overwhelmingly credulous population and was quite successful in convincing people to give him hundreds of thousands of pounds (The UK currency, not a measure of weight). He then returned to South America. MacGregor’s grand scheme fell apart, and he was forced to escape to Venezuela, when boatloads of ‘immigrants’ arrived and discovered that the Territory of Poyais was nothing more than an uninhabited, and uninhabitable, swamp. I suppose it is to his credit that MacGregor somehow managed to escape prosecution and was given a state funeral when he died.
