SEALAND

The Principality of Sealand

Paddy Roy Bates snuck through a loophole in the law after this military base, situated slightly north of the estuary region of the Thames River, was deserted after the Second World War. He and his family have been living there since 1968, and the island has a flag, national anthem, stamps, passports and considers itself to be a sovereign. Sadly, in June 2006 there was a fire, and according to the website, the occupants of Sealand seem to be struggling.