Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
Sealand
References & Edit History
Images
Aerial view of the Principality of Sealand, a metal and concrete platform with two main towers and a helipad, isolated in the North Sea with a small boat nearby. Major Roy Bates and several people stand on top of the Sealand sea fort platform, with a flag flying above and a cannon visible, against a clear sky. A man stands with arms crossed on the deck of Sealand, a rusted sea fort with a large gun and a helicopter behind him. Four other people stand near the gun and a sign reading SEALAND.
Related Questions
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what youā€™ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Aerial view of the Principality of Sealand, a metal and concrete platform with two main towers and a helipad, isolated in the North Sea with a small boat nearby.
Aerial image of the Principality of Sealand The Principality of Sealand, located 6.5 nautical miles (12 km) off the coast of Suffolk, England. The metal-and-concrete platform has been run as an independent micronation, unrecognized by the British government, for the last 54 years.

Sealand

micronation, North Sea
Also known as: Principality of Sealand
Written by
Roland Martin
Roland Martin is a freelance writer living in San Francisco.
Roland Martin
Fact-checked by
Britannica Editors
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
Britannica Editors
History

Sealand, micronation located roughly 7.5 miles (about 12 km, or 6.5 nautical miles) off the coast of Suffolk, England, in the North Sea. Sealand sits atop Roughs Tower, a steel and concrete platform, one of a series of ā€œsea fortsā€ originally built to defend Great Britain during World War II. Roy Bates, a former British army major turned radio broadcaster, declared the platform a sovereign principality in 1967 after occupying Roughs Tower in late 1966...

Discover the world with Britannica

Subscribe to Continue Reading

Free Trial | No Ads | Exclusive Content
Explore Subscriptions
DNA
Right
Mobile