Owning your own country?

Question

This question is related to 'Sealand'

If you were to aquire land, or some sort of semi-permanent structure in international waters would that make it a seperate country.

If not, what are the requirements of such a place to be recognised as an actual country?

Answer 1

Well all you need for a country to recognised is for other countries to recognise it.

If you are international waters, then you are outside of the control of other countries. You are under the jurisdiction of International law, where there are agreements but no effective legal system.

So you build some sort of structure, while is not really that hard. You engage in business...tourism, gambling, prostituionn, mining and farming (especially fish farming).

You become important enough that other countries find it necessary to deal with you as a country. It would take politics and lobbying for this to occur.

You would have a status as a quasy country (for example Taiwain) or a jurisdiction (Hong Kong). Children born will be part of your area, but actually have no official status internationally, unless your passport is recognised by other countries. This may be done at different times by different countries. For example, people might be able to go to Canada on your passport, but not the USA.

You won't have embassies, but you will have missions or other such bodies that take the role of embassies.

Finally the stamp of official recognition will come by the recognition of your country by the UN.

However, this ability to create countries may not be happily welcomed by other countries, as it can change balances of power in international organisations as well as deprive other countries of opportunities to exploit the region you claim.

In addition, cooperations are likely to invest in the infrastructure of the new territory, and so may help or hinder independence as it suits them.

Countries and states have come into being by their ability to create, organise and defend their territory. Some times with diplomacy, sometimes with violence.

It is an interesting question, and I wouldn't mind working to create a new nation.

Answer 2

deep questions - can i come and live on your island please