11 Micronations You Never Knew Existed And The Kings And Emperors Who Rule Them

    Photographer Léo Delafontaine is visiting micronations throughout the US, Europe, and Australia, and this is what he has found so far.

    Lynzy Billing
    by Lynzy Billing

    BuzzFeed Staff

    Léo Delafontaine's photo series Micronations documents independent states that are unrecognised by world governments and organisations.

    There are more than 400 such self-proclaimed entities, all over the world. Here are highlights from the first 11 Delafontaine has visited:

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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    The airport of the Conch Republic.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Sir Peter Anderson, secretary general of the Conch Republic, one of the few micronations that issues passports.


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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Georgette Bertin-Pourchet, president of the Republic of Saugeais. It was founded by her father, George, in 1947.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Jacques Vuillemin, customs officer of the Republic of Saugeais.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    The Prinicipality of Sealand is an abandoned World War II military platform off the coast of Great Britain in international waters. It was founded 1967 by Paddy Roy Bates as a pirate radio station.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Prince Michael of Sealand.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Princess Chirley of Sealand.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    With a living area of 5,290 square feet, Sealand boasts multiple bedrooms, a chapel, and a prison. It has its own flag and currency, and also issues passports.

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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Consuls Pascalux, Philippeon, and Sebastiel de la Boirie of the Consulate of la Boirie.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Corpo della Guardia is the principality's armed force, responsible for the defence of borders and maintaining public order.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Frederikke Rose Holm, Julie Holstein, Nanna Gilsgaard, Christine Barnett, and Bolette Winnerskjold Gjaldbaek, the butterflies of the kingdom of Elleore.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Bringing a copy of Robinson Crusoe on to the island of Elleore can be punished by a sentence of 11 minutes and 17 seconds in prison.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    The island goes by Elleore Standard Time, which is 12 minutes behind Danish time.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    The people of Elleore waiting for their king.

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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    The border between the Republic of Molossia and the USA.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Kevin Baugh, president of the Republic of Molossia.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Emperor George II of the Empire of Atlantium.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com
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    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    The name Calsahara comes from a combination of California and Sahara.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Travis Henry, or Montague, king of Calsahara.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    PoliNation: 2nd International Conference on Micronations

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    "PoliNation brings together academics and micronation presidents, emperors, and kings from around the world for two days of intensive knowledge exchange. It is an opportunity for delegates to rub shoulders with a host of alternative world leaders." – Léo Delafontaine

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Queen Carolyn of Ladonia.

    Leo Delafontaine / leodelafontaine.com

    Niels Vermeersch, Grand Duke of Flandrensis.