Micronations are countries started by one or a group of people which are not seen as actual countries by the United Nations. These countries are mostly used in people's heads, or on the internet. It is important to note that micronations are different from partially-recognised countries and separatist territories, which often have full autonomy over their territories.
People make micronations for lots of reasons. Some are to show they do not like their main country (for example the United Kingdom), or if they want to make money, or to use it as a place for themselves. Micronations create their own rules, but because they are not recognised as actual countries, they have to keep within the laws of their home country.
Some of the more famous micronations include the Republic of Molossia, the Islamic Sultanate of Qarsherskiy, Sealand, the Aerican Empire, and Eternia.
List
Here is a list of some Micronations;
Competitions
Some micronations play in competitions.
Football
The biggest football organisation for micronations is known as the MFA (Micronational Football Association), founded by Joe Foxon in 2009. It has 13 micronations from 7 countries as members. It makes a competition every 4 years called the MFA World Cup for all the micronations in the world to play in. The first World Cup will be in Southern England in 2013.
Chess
Every year there is a chess competition for micronations to play in. It is played on the computer and in the first year, 3 micronations took part.
Singing
Every year there is a singing competition called the MicroVision Song Contest. Micronations make a song and put it on the internet, and then other micronations vote for the best song. The winner then makes the next one.