41°26′25″N 113°25′38″W / 41.440230°N 113.42721°W
Republic of Zaqistan | |
|---|---|
| Micronation (unrecognized entity) | |
| Claimed by | Zaq Landsberg |
| Dates claimed | November 19, 2005–present |
Zaqistan, officially the Republic of Zaqistan, is a micronation in Box Elder County, Utah, created in 2005 by self-declared president Zaq Landsberg.[1] The land has no residents or buildings on it, although Landsberg and volunteers have installed monuments and a border patrol gate, and he refers to the money sent yearly to the State of Utah for the property not as taxes but instead a "tribute" which he pays to maintain peaceful foreign relations.[2] Its state department does not accept applications for citizenship, though previously it was granted for free to anyone who asked, with the option of a passport for a suggested fee of US$50.[2][3]
Landsberg, a sculptor who lives in Brooklyn, won the land in an eBay auction for the minimum bid of $610 in July 2005.[2] Its size has been variously described as 2 acres (8,090 m2)[2][3] and 4 acres.[1][4] The nearest town is Montello, Nevada, about 60 miles (100 km) away.[1][2]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Cabrero, Alex (October 19, 2015). "New York man creates 'sovereign nation' in Box Elder County". KSL-TV. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ a b c d e Free, Cathy (October 17, 2015). "New Yorker Zaq Landsberg Creates His Own Country Called Zaqistan in Remote Utah Desert – But He Doesn't Live There". People. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ a b Abu, Mike (October 29, 2015). "A Trip to Zaqistan, One Man's 'Sovereign Nation' in the Middle of the Utah Desert". Vice. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
- ^ Minutaglio, Rose (October 26, 2015). "New Yorker Creates His Own Sovereign Nation in Remote Utah Backcountry". People. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
Further reading
edit- Alex Cabrero (October 20, 2015), "Man creates Republic of Zaqistan in Box Elder County", Deseret News[dead link]
- Brian Noonan and Zaq Landsberg (October 25, 2015). Zaq Landsberg interview (MP3) (Radio show archive). Chicago: WGN-AM radio. Event occurs at 35:00. Retrieved 2015-10-27.
- Cynthia Okoroafor (October 26, 2015), "There's more to micronations than lunacy", Ventures Africa
- Brenna Visser (October 26, 2015), "Brenna's Take on the News: Zaqistan and Marco Rubio", The Western Front, Bellingham, Washington: Western Washington University, archived from the original on August 13, 2020, retrieved May 1, 2020
- Jason Silverstein (October 27, 2015), "Welcome to Zaqistan! New York artist founds his own nation in Utah desert — and keeps it going for a decade", New York Daily News
- Miranda Lorenc (September 29, 2016). "Did you know there's a micro-nation in Utah? Believe it, it's called Zaqistan". The Utah Statesman. Logan, Utah: Utah State University.
- Andrew Whalen (April 10, 2020). "Micronations in the United States Prepare for Coronavirus". Newsweek – via MSN.
- Candice Brown (September 22, 2016). "Tips for traveling to Utah's Republic of Zaqistan: Bring gas, water, patience". Standard-Examiner. Ogden, Utah.
External links
edit- Official website
- Utah's Republic of Zagistan in Box Elder Co. is getting renewed attention on YouTube, upload by KSL-TV, September 2016, with exhibit at Central Utah Art Center