For Sale: Sealand, a sovereign nation with its own national anthem, stamps, and coins. And it’ll only cost you $975 million to own it.

Sealand is a 5,920-square-foot artificial island in the North Sea created by Britain during World War II. It was abandoned after the war ended until retired Army Maj. Paddy Roy Bates took it over and declared it a principality in 1967.

Despite Britain’s best efforts, the courts upheld Bates’ claim of sovereignty and territorial waters. The 85-year-old Bates now lives in Spain. A Spanish real estate company is helping him sell Sealand, promoting it as a base for online gambling or offshore banking.

Source: The Associated Press (01/16/07)

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