Sealand is a micronation located roughly 6.5 nautical miles (12 km) off the coast of Suffolk, England, in the North Sea. It sits atop Roughs Tower, a former World War II sea fort, and was declared a sovereign principality by Roy Bates in 1967, invoking the concept of jus gentium (“law of nations”) over terra nullius (“nobody’s land”). Bates had occupied Roughs Tower in late 1966 to establish a pirate radio station. He declared himself and his wife, Joan, prince and princess, respectively. The principality issues currency, passports, and stamps and has an official flag and coat of arms.
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