User:Redchiefkevin/Sealand

Sealand is an independent micronation off the coast of Suffolk, England, United Kingdom. Sealand has a population of 27. The leader is Paddy Roy Bates. During World War II, a lighthouse was built in Sealand, and Royal Marines were stationed on the island. The fortifications on the island were primarily use for defense against German mine-laying aircraft that might be targeting the estuaries that were part of vital shipping lanes. It was known as HM Fort Roughs.

Ever since 1967, the facility has been occupied by the former British Major Paddy Roy Bates; Bates, his associates and family claim that it is an independent sovereign state.

Sealand Civil War
In August 1978 Prince Roy Bates and his wife decided to visit several neighboring countries in a tour to strengthen diplomatic relations. Once the Prince had departed however the Prime Minister of Sealand, Alexander Achenbach, summoned several hired Dutch and German mercenaries to the fort. Arriving in jet skis, helicopters and speedboats the mercenaries seized control of the fort in the name of Achenbach, who claimed the throne for himself, styling himself "His Royal Majesty Prince Achenbach I of Sealand." Alexander however failed to arrest the Crown Prince, Michael Bates, who managed to acquire several guns hidden around the fort. Using these guns the Crown Prince managed to hold off the invaders while Prince Roy himself returned along with his forces. After Pricne Roy arrived most of the mercenaries surrendered and Achenbach himself did so as well. As the mercenaries were citizens of a foreign nation they were simply sent home but Achenbach held a Sealand passport and thus was arrested and charged with high treason against the throne. He was found guilty and sentenced to execution. When the German government found out they sent a diplomatic mission to England to negotiate Achenbach's release (he was a German citizen) but the English government claimed they did not have jurisdiction over Sealand (Prince Roy considers this to be England's de facto recognition of Sealand's independence and sovereignty). The German government then sent a diplomat to Sealand where he successfully negotiated Achenbach's release (Prince Roy considers this German Diplomatic Mission to be Germany's recognition of Sealand's sovereignty). Achenbach however established a government-in-exile in Germany, called the Sealand Rebel Government, or Sealandic Rebel Government.

Diplomatic Recognition
Aerican Empire, Freetown Christiana, Sark, the Kingdom of Redonda and the Kingdom of Talossa recognizes Sealand as an independent country. Sealand also recognizes the Republic of Talossa.

Roy Bates has claimed it is de facto recognized by Germany as they have sent a diplomat to the micronation, and by the United Kingdom after an English court ruled it did not have jurisdiction over Sealand, neither action constitutes de jure recognition as far as the respective countries and international law are concerned.

Agriculture
Sealand has not much economy. Cod, dogfish, mackerel, and skipjacks are harvested offshore by fishermen. Lobster traps are placed, and lobsters are harvested. The giant squid and octopus is also harvested. Saltcod is produced by drying cod in the sun and adding salt. It is a very popular export of Sealand. Stockfish is also produced.

The construction of greenhouses allows Sealand to grow crops. They grow hybrid crops like fire peppers, purple tomatoes and squmpkins. Honeybees are grown on Sealand. They produce honey for export and also pollinate the greenhouses. Solar energy is used to power the greenhouses, making the greenhouses Carbon neutral.

Snails are raised for escargot. Mushrooms such as hen-of-the-woods mushroom and oyster mushrooms are harvested. Blue mussels are also harvested. The mushrooms and mussels are harvested from algae and the snails are raised using bio-organic material. No animals can be raised on the island because there is no land.

Internet Hosting
Internet hosting is a big source of money for Sealand. Most of the websites are illegal, like pornography and all that, but some legal websites do register in Sealand, because its cheap.

Flag of Convenience
Sealand is used as a flag of convenience.