The unbelievable story behind a tiny self-declared nation in America -

Nearly everyone has dreamt of ruling over their own country, but few can say they've ever done it. Enter the Republic of Molossia: a self-proclaimed micro-nation located within the US that has its own currency, passports, space program, war history, and much, much more—all created by one man. Check out this gallery for everything you need to know about this great and tiny country. 

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It all started as a childhood dream -

Kevin Baugh and a friend were teenagers when they first had the idea to create their own micronation, separate from the US, called the Grand Republic of Vuldstein.

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His Excellency, President Kevin Baugh -

The friend eventually grew out of the concept, but on September 3, 1999, Baugh founded the Republic of Molossia.

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You can find it in Dayton, NV -

With just 1.3 acres to its name, this tiny nation sits in the arid Nevada desert. Its government building is pictured here, where the First Family resides. Check out some other weird Nevada attractions here. 

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It even has colonies -

The capital, Baughston, is in the Nevada territory, but there are two others in California—the Colony of Farfalla and the Desert Homestead Province. Pictured here is Norton Park in the original Harmony Province. 

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They claim to be outside of the US jurisdiction -

Baugh does pay property taxes to the US government, but he sees it as foreign aid. "You’ve seen the roads, the US needs all the help they can get," he's said. 

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The nation is expanding -

Molossia also claims 50,000 acres of land on Venus, but no word on those taxes as of yet.

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Molossia Customs Booth -

Many civil servants are mannequins “because they don’t complain, and they don’t charge a whole lot, they never go on strike, that kind of thing," Baugh explains.

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Prohibited items when crossing the border -

Entering the country will cost you all your pocket change, but you must leave behind items like fresh spinach, catfish, plastic bags, onions, walruses, and anything from Texas, except for Kelly Clarkson. 

Check out the most dangerous borders in the world here. 

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They have their own passports, and you can get yours stamped -

Only the 32 citizens—each a relative of Baugh—have a Molossian passport. You can get your own officially stamped when you cross the border though. Unfortunately, applications for citizenship are not accepted.

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The currency is counted in "valora" -

Which means "valuable' in Esperanta, the country's second language. The valora is printed onto poker chips, which are subdivided into 100 futtrus, naturally.

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Cookie dough is highly valued -

The currency is pegged to the relative value of Pillsbury cookie dough, which is stored in the Molossia bank. Cookie Dough Fests also exist as "traditional Molossian celebrations held in honor of any holiday or event Molossians want to celebrate," according to their website. 

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Coat of arms -

The nation's motto is "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained," and they have their own national anthem as well, called "Fair Molossia Is Our Home," which can be played on their national instrument, the Molossaphone. 

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Molossia National Weather Station -

The weather in Molossia, as you might have guessed, is quite similar to that of Nevada. 

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Trading company -

President Baugh told Vice that this country is not a hobby but a passion, and an extension of himself. 

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Molossian Standard Time Clock -

They have their own time zone, called Molossian Standard Time. 

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Molossia Space Program Rocket Launch -

Everyone can become a certified Space Cadet in Molossia by launching their state of the art rocket into the air using their foot. For reference, check out what NASA has been up to here. 

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Molossia Telephone Company -

Along with their own phone line, they have their own system of measurement. One "norton" is equivalent to the length of the President's hand, and one "fenwick" is equivalent to the weight of one large Pillsbury cookie dough tube. 

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The national cuisine - Described as “simple and tasty” on their website, the Molossian cuisine centers around meat or pasta dishes like spaghetti and meatballs, pizza, or lasagna.

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Molossia National Railroad -

Small but mighty!

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Tower of the Winds -

Many beautiful structures are tourism hot spots in Molossia, including this tower "dedicated to the wind and the desert and as a symbol of our nation," as their website describes. 

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Postage Stamps -

In case you still weren't sure about how serious Molossians are, they have their own stamps, and post office too. 

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His Excellency President Kevin Baugh -

In his time off, if he gets any, Baugh is a retired sergeant first class of the US Army, working in the human resources department of the Nevada National Guard.

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Why a micronation? -

"It’s an expression of personal sovereignty, creativity, imagination, and political satire,” Baugh told Vice. "It’s a nice way to look around the world. You can see what countries are doing and say, ‘I can do that.’”

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They claim to have been at war with East Germany since 1983 -

Mostly for keeping Baugh awake through the night as they ran drills while he was stationed there with the US Military.  

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Mustachistan War Memorial -

From May 22 to June 8, 2006, territorial conflict, stirred by a rival of Baugh's who calls himself Sultan Ali-Ali Achsenfree, raged in Molossia.

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The President mobilized the Naval Infantry  -

They were trying times, citizens were urged to conserve gas and food and to stay off all communication lines, but eventually they pulled through and were victorious in their territorial dispute.

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Molossia Navy Monument -

A peace treaty was signed, and Mustachistan agreed to pay Molossia reparations in the form of tubes of—you guessed it—cookie dough. 

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The Dead Dog War National Monument -

In 1999, covert forces illegally crossed onto Molossian land and buried a dead dog. Simple negotiations failed, but the country employed their secret weapon, "the ceaseless chatter of a hyperactive thirteen-year-old boy," and eventually the dead dog was removed. 

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The 2010 invasion and governmental overthrow -

Molossia was invaded by comedian Doug Walker and friends, who took over and renamed the country Kickassia. The new dictator soon found it too difficult to run a country, however, and gave it back to Baugh two days later. 

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Molossia Peace Pole and Time Capsule -

The Peace Pole says "May Peace Prevail on Earth" in eight languages, and the time capsule is set to be opened in less than two years. 

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They're as official as you can get -

Without actually being officially recognized by any major government, that is. 

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Baugh organizes and attends micronational conferences and MicroCons -

Here he is representing his country at the PoliNation micronational conference in London.

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Other micronations around the world -

Molossia is happy to direct you to them! Stay up to date with the country, book a tour, and learn some more from their website. Who knows, maybe you'll start one too!

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