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Buy a Country, Be Your Own Whackjob Dictator

Ever loved a nation so much you wished you could own it? Well, there's a country for sale right now, although chances are it's not one you've ever visited. The Principality of Sealand is one of those weirdo micronations, a self-proclaimed nation with (one can only assume) a slightly nutty ruler. You can find Sealand seven miles off the coast of England, near Essex, and you'll need either a boat or a helicopter to get there. The sightseeing highlights are relatively few: the "island" is in fact a steel platform built on two concrete towers back during the second World War.

But every nation must have tourism potential, so how about making an offer to own the Principality of Sealand? Complete with its own currency, passports, flag and national anthem, the asking price is around $125 million. Not bad for a whole country. And just think of all the e-card possibilities!

There's been some trouble in the past with Sealandian passports. Only 300 genuine passports have ever been issued, yet about 150,000 are in circulation. That's a problem you'll have to sort out if you're the new owner. You may also want to think about what to rename yourself when you start your personality cult.

[Photo: octal]

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· Tiniest Country Seeks New Owners [Times Online]