Status: Defunct
Location: Outer Bald Tusket Island, Canada
Population: Varied
The Principality of Outer Baldonia is a now defunct micronation whose territorial pretensions comprised the roughly 4 acres of Outer Bald Tusket Island 15 km off the southern tip of the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. Founded in 1948 by Russell Arundel, who was an American business man and lobbyist for Pepsi Cola Company and entitled the “Prince of Princes” of Outer Baldonia, the Principality is often classed as a ‘whimsy state’. Endowed with a charter, flag, and organized military, it was one of the more developed, and highly populated of the various historical micronations. Apparently, Arundel stumbled upon the island while fishing recreationally for tuna.
While there are reports that the island was used as a base for fishing (possibly seasonally), and was also used as a sheep pasture, Arundel negotiated its purchase for $750, and constructed a stone edifice for himself and his friends to use as a fishing lodge during the sport fishing season. Legend has it that it was, in fact, while Arundel and his friends were engaged in an episode of rum drinking, that they conceived, wrote, approved and published the Declaration of Independence of Outer Baldonia. Reflecting the primacy of sport fishers such as Arundel in its leadership, the trappings of the state seem to have teamed with aquatic life. The currency, for example, was called the Tunar.
No comments:
Post a Comment