Principality of Freedonia
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| Principality of Freedonia | |
 Flag |  Arms |
| Motto: Superibimus! (English: We shall prevail!) Musical Anthem: Oh, Freedonia!, words by ? (no music) | |
| |
| Location: | 5337 Val Verde, Houston, Texas |
| Co-ordinates: | 29°44'10.212"N 95°28'13.044"W |
| Area: | 0 km2 |
| Capital: | None |
| Membership: | < 200 |
| Date of foundation: | ? 1997 |
| Leadership: | John Kyle (Prince John I) |
| Organisational structure: | Constitutional monarchy |
| Language: | English |
| Currency: | Freedonian Dollar |
The Principality of Freedonia was a micronation based on libertarian principles. It was allegedly established as a 'hypothetical project' by a group of US teenagers in 1992, before becoming a 'new country project' in 1997 and attempting to purchase territory. It was headed by a Texas university student named John Kyle, who assumed the title and style Prince John I. [1][2]
In late 2000, notable libertarians James Eric Davidson and Michael van Notten, as the Awdal Roads Company, travelled to the Awdal region of Somaliland with the purposes of constructing toll roads there. The two were erroneously associated with Freedonia because of claims referencing Awdal and the Awdal Roads Company on the Freedonia website. Local authorities reacted strongly to the implication that the foreigners were attempting to establish a new state and deported them. This led to public protests during which one Somali was reportedly shot and killed.[3] [4]
Prior to its demise, Freedonia minted a number of 1 ounce silver bullion coins.[5] These bore the denomination "50 Freedonian Dollars", and were sold via the group's website.[6]
Freedonia's website has not been updated for a number of years, its discussion forum no longer functions and email communication with the self-styled Prince does not work. Email statements from Kyle indicated that the project was not being actively pursued as of 2004.[5]
External links
- Principality of Freedonia website.
- Obituary of Michael van Notten, founder of Awdal Roads Corporation.
References
- ↑ Lonely Planet Micronations, John Ryan, George Dunford, and Simon Sellars, Lonely Planet Publications, ISBN 1741047307 (paperback)
- ↑ Wanted: Homeland for 300 Webheads, Metro Santa Cruz, November 22, 2000, accessed Jan 2, 2006
- ↑ Shooting of demonstrators in Borama condemned from The Republican magazine issue Issue145, Jan. 20, 2001. Accessed Jan 2, 2006.
- ↑ Recent events in Adwal at the Freedonia website, accessed Jan 2, 2006.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Links To Micro-National and Fantasy Coins: Listings F, accessed Jan 2, 2006
- ↑ Bank of Freedonia, accessed Jan 2, 2006
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