January 15, 2019, 12:02 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
In 2001, American Travis McHenry founded the micronation of Westarctica–right in the middle of Antarctica, on a piece of land that no nation has officially claimed to this day. The “state” already has more than 2,300 “citizens”–one of them is now me, Larissa Königs. And not only that: I have even become a baroness.
An endless desert of ice with maximum temperatures of minus 10 degrees in summer, a wasteland of more than 1.6 million square kilometers in the middle of Antarctica–Marie Byrd Land is literally a godforsaken patch of earth and one of the few regions in the world that no nation has officially claimed.
In 2001, an American took advantage of this situation in a bizarre way: Former soldier Travis McHenry declared Marie Byrd Land a micronation, which he named Westarctica–and then made himself the Grand Duke of his invented protectorate. But what sounds like a mere whimsical idea is actually quite serious, as the self-proclaimed “Grand Duke” explained to TRAVELBOOK in an interview.
Environmental Protection as a State Program
McHenry said that before founding Westarctica, he had submitted his claim in writing to numerous nations. Unfortunately, he was not recognized by any state. However, he maintains active diplomatic relations with the rulers of other micronations: “I was even invited as a guest of honor to the wedding of the President of Molossia,” he told TRAVELBOOK. Molossia is a fictional state within the USA. Currently, he spends 10 to 20 hours a week answering letters and emails about Westarctica and granting noble titles–though he prefers official appointments. Either he meets with leaders of other fantasy states or organizes receptions for the citizens of Westarctica, such as in Berlin.
The ruler has never visited his realm, as a trip there would cost about $50,000. Instead, McHenry vehemently fights against the melting of Antarctic ice on his website and advocates for whale protection, even declaring war on Japanese whalers. Westarctica is also a nonprofit organization that unofficially participates in the UN for environmental protection.
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Additionally, McHenry plans a small expedition to Westarctica in the near future–he received official permission to use an abandoned research station for this purpose from Russian Antarctic research back in 2015. It’s a good first step, as McHenry wants to live in “his” country one day–and ideally bring along the 2,356 “citizens” his state currently has, according to his website.
If you think this is all just a joke: No, McHenry is dead serious. So serious that he even issues his own stamps and coins and briefly issued passports–which were then sold by fraudsters to refugees.
The country also has two national anthems: “God Save Westarctica,” sung to the tune of “God Save the Queen,” and, no joke, “Go West” by the Village People.
Become a Baroness for $100!
Oh yes, and McHenry personally bestows titles like Prince, Count, or Baron to financial supporters of his project. You can become a citizen for free, but if you want a title, you have to pay: $60 to become a Baronetess or Baronet, $100 to become a Baroness or Baron, and $150 for the title of Viscountess or Viscount. In return, you receive a membership certificate, stamps, a map, and a flag of the state. See how it all works in the video above!