Westarctica

Westarctica (officially the Protectorate of Westarctica, formerly known as the Grand Duchy of Westarctica)[1] is a micronation founded in 2001 by Travis McHenry.[2] It claims the territory known as Marie Byrd Land, located between the New Zealand Antarctic Territory and the Chilean one, specifically the portion of Antarctica located between 90 degrees and 150 degrees west longitude and south of the 60th parallel. It includes 620,000 square miles of land, and though it claims over 2,000 citizens, none of them reside within the claimed territory.[3][4]

Protectorate of Westarctica

Micronation
Flag
Coat of arms
Motto: Fortune favors the bold
Anthem: God Save Westarctica
CapitalPeter I Island
Official languagesEnglish, German
Demonym(s)Westarctican
Organizational structureConstitutional Monarchy
Travis McHenry
Jordan Farmer
Establishment
• Formation
2 November, 2001
Area claimed
• Total
1,600,000 km2 (620,000 sq mi)
Population
• Estimate
2,150
Purported currencyEismark
Eismark

In 2018, the government of Westarctica established an honorary consul in Nerja, Spain,[5] and continues to establish other honorary consulates around the world.[6]

The Westarctican government has established a US-based charity to raise awareness about the impact of climate change on the wildlife of Antarctica[7] and has also been active in speaking about the need for an effective global response to COVID-19.[8]

References
  1. Bahareth, Mohammad (December 2011). Micronations: For Those Who Are Tired of Existing Incompetent Governments and Are Longing for Something New and Refreshing. iUniverse. ISBN 9781462069262.
  2. Milan Aleck (2 February 2018). "Molossia, Westarctica und Co.: Kennen Sie diese Mikronationen?". Web.de (in German).
  3. Justin Streight (11 April 2015). "Micronations Summit In California: Biggest Names From Tiniest Nations". Inquisitr.
  4. Chaudhuri, Raj Aditya "After running a country for 15 years, he hopes to see it someday" Conde Nast Traveller (Oct. 27, 2016)
  5. Eugenio Cabezas (1 November 2018). "Westarctica abre una embajada en Nerja". Sur (in Spanish).
  6. Hookway, James "Fake Countries Have a Hard Time Dealing with the Pandemic, Too" Wall Street Journal (June 21, 2020)
  7. Hookway, James "Fake Countries Have a Hard Time Dealing with the Pandemic, Too" Wall Street Journal (June 21, 2020)
  8. Whalen, Andrew "Micronations in the United States Prepare for Coronavirus, Send Messages of Goodwill to the American People" Newsweek (April 10, 2020)


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