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Republic of Minerva

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Location

The Resume

    (January 19, 1972-September 1972)
    Short-lived sovereign state created by American libertarian Michael Oliver on an unclaimed coral reef in the South Pacific
    Projected population of 30 000 was to support itself mainly by tourism and fishing
    Taken over and annexed by Tonga just months after its Declaration of Independence
    President: Morris C. Davis
    Motto: ‘Land of the Rising Atoll’
    Currency: Minerva dollar

Why Republic of Minerva might be annoying:

    It was the pet project of an eccentric Las Vegas millionaire.
    Several barges loaded with imported sand were required to make it habitable.
    Neighboring nations such as Fiji, Tonga and Australia were immediately suspicious of its founders’ intentions.
    The Tongan king (accompanied by conscripted convicts and a brass band) essentially took it over by landing and removing its flag.
    An attempt to reclaim it in 1982 was easily quashed by Tonga.
    It was far less successful than another manmade city state, Sealand.
    Years later, Fiji also made a sovereign claim over its territory (2005).

Why Republic of Minerva might not be annoying:

    It was one of only a few modern attempts to found a nation that got anywhere.
    Its idealistic developers planned a tax-free, open community.
    The reef was originally unclaimed, but the Tongans decided it was theirs because they fished there.
    It has a government-in-exile headed by a ‘Prince Calvin.’
    Its inhabitants’ unwillingness to fight for its sovereignty doomed it.
    The sea is slowly reclaiming it.

Credit: Georgina


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 23 Votes: 8.70% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 8 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 16 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2013, Out of 9 Votes: 55.56% Annoying
    In 2012, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2011, Out of 13 Votes: 84.62% Annoying
    In 2010, Out of 56 Votes: 64.29% Annoying