The Independent Nation Built on a Sea Fort

Sealand is a self-proclaimed sovereign state located on a derelict World War II anti-aircraft platform. It sits in the North Sea and has successfully defended its territory against armed invasions.

This bizarre micronation started when a pirate radio operator seized the abandoned steel platform in 1967. The inhabitants have survived by firing warning shots and petrol bombs at encroaching vessels to maintain their independence. While the United Kingdom later expanded its borders to include the area, Sealand still considers itself a distinct nation. Today, the platform remains a curious relic occupied by just one permanent resident.