The Tiny Country That Almost Became A World Hub

For over a century, a tiny triangle of land existed as an independent mini-state because two powerful nations could not agree who owned its valuable zinc mine. It even became a strange hub for international gambling and experimental language.

Neutral Moresnet was barely larger than a few city blocks, yet it functioned as a rare condominium managed by both Belgium and Prussia. Residents avoided military service and taxes, leading to a strange life of autonomy. Some people even tried to make it the world's first Esperanto state to unite nations through a single language. Eventually, the land was absorbed into Belgium after the First World War.