Principality of Sealand

This micronation with a superb ocean view looks to be the size of two tennis courts. Paddy Bates and his family occupied the old WWII North Sea anti-aircraft fortress Roughs Towers in 1967 - and claimed it as an independent state a few years later. Not recognized by any state in the world, Sealand nevertheless has its own flag and currency, and is ruled today by Prince Michael.

Freetown Christiania

A dream come true for Danish hippies and perhaps the best-known micronation, Christiania was created in a squatted military neighborhood of the Danish capital Copenhagen in 1971. Artists, idealists and dropouts from all over Europe proclaimed the area autonomous. Over the years, the Freetown was a recurring source of controversy with city authorities over its cannabis trade.

Kugelmugel Republic

The above is a globe-shaped house built by Austrian artist Edwin Lipburger, set up and surrounded by a fence in Vienna's famous Prater public park. According to the Kugelmugel website, it is the smallest state in the world, and has more than 650 citizens who all have "free access to exhibitions." All free spirits are "welcome in Kugelmugel," the website promises.