This is the Smallest Country in the World – Its Entire Population Could Fit in a Chair

When you think of the smallest country in the world, you might think of Vatican City. Technically, you would be right. However, the smallest country in the world is Sealand. The difference is in how other countries recognize the two.

For example, Vatican City is a city-state within Rome; it is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope lives there among Vatican Museums, works of iconic art, and historical architecture. Only about 800 people live in Vatican City. Most countries recognize Vatican City as the smallest country in the world and as an independent sovereign state.

Sealand, on the other hand, is an unrecognized micronation about seven miles off the coast of Suffolk, England. It has its flag, currency, and government. Only one person permanently lives there. Sealand sits atop a sea fort built by the British in 1942 to protect the coast from German bombers during World War II. The problem, however, is that no country recognizes Sealand as a sovereign state. Nevertheless, to some, Sealand is the smallest country in the world.

What is the history of Sealand?

In the beginning, no one intended for Sealand to be a country, let alone the smallest country in the world. During World War II, the United Kingdom built Roughs Tour in 1943 to defend the coast from German bombers. It sat about seven miles from the coast of Suffolk, England.

1967 Major Paddy Roy Bates, a British pirate radio broadcaster, took over Roughs Tower. He intended to broadcast his pirate radio station, Radio Essex, from the platform. However, he never began broadcasting. Instead, he founded the Principality of Sealand. Michael Bates, Roy Bates’s son, defended Sealand. In 1968, British workers entered waters near the platform. Michael fired warning shots from the fort, claiming the workers had entered Sealand’s territorial waters. The court ruled that the platform sat outside British territorial limits. Michael considers this Sealand’s first instance of de facto recognition.

Roy Bates introduced Sealand’s constitution, national flag, national anthem, currency, passports, and an immigration stamp in 1975. There have been several conflicts and hurdles since then, including an attack in 1978, the expansion of the United Kingdom’s waters in 1987, and a fire in 2006. Roy Bates died at the age of 91 in 2012. His son Michael took over the operation of Sealand.

Why is the population in Sealand so small?

Today, Michael Bates calls himself Prince Michael of Sealand. While he is the only permanent resident of Sealand, the entire Bates family claims Sealand as its own. Still, however, it is the smallest country in the world.

By some accounts, Sealand has a population of 27 people. However, it measures only 1,800 square feet. Therefore, most of those people live full-time in the United Kingdom.

Who lives on Sealand?

Michael Bates inherited Sealand from his parents, Roy and Joan Bates. He moved to Sealand permanently with his parents and sister Penelope in 1967. When Roy died in 2012, Michael became the reigning Prince of Sealand. While he is a permanent resident of Sealand, he also spends time in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, United Kingdom, because he wants his children to attend English schools.

Three years after Roy died, in 2015, Michael published a memoir called Principality of Sealand: Holding the Fort, about his life experience with Sealand. And then, in 2017, he hosted a dinner to honor the 50th anniversary of Sealand, the smallest country in the world.

What kind of government does Sealand have?

Sealand governs its small state as hereditary royal rulers, like a monarchy. However, Michael said he envisions a future that is representative and democratic. Michael said, “We have been looking into technologies that could help us do this without a bloated and hugely bureaucratic system.”

What is the culture of Sealand?

The smallest country in the world even has its own sports teams, including the Sealand’ Seahawks’ and ‘She-Hawks’ in American Football, which participate globally. They host an annual charity swim event from Sealand to the United Kingdom. The country also claims to have teams competing under the Sealand flag in curling, ice hockey, and long-distance running.

Where is Sealand located on a map?

Sealand sits about seven miles off the coast of the United Kingdom in waters that the United Kingdom claims. It sits in the North Sea, a body of water between Great Britain, Denmark, Norway, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. The North Sea is one of the most dangerous seas in the world, known for its wild storms and foggy winters. The North Sea is mostly shallow, so the currents are strong and often pull in different directions. Even though the North Sea is dangerous, it is vital for international trade.