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'''Westarctica''', | '''Westarctica''', also known as the '''Grand Duchy of Westarctica''', and previously known as the '''Protectorate of Westarctica''', is an area of desolate land in Western Antarctica that was unclaimed until [[Grand Duke Travis|Travis McHenry]] claimed the territory by filing a [[The Claimant Letter|claimant letter]] with nine world governments, a declaration of status not recognized by most established countries, in [[2001]]. The territory consists of the entirety of [[Marie Byrd Land]] with a few additional non-contiguous claims and has no year round residents, although seasonal research stations are located in the region. Westarctica was founded on a loophole in the [[Antarctic Treaty]]. | ||
== History == | == History == | ||
=== Inspired by Ice (2001 - 2004) === | === Inspired by Ice (2001 - 2004) === | ||
It was in the pages of the CIA World Factbook that Travis McHenry first discovered the unique international political situation in [[ | It was in the pages of the CIA World Factbook that Travis McHenry first discovered the unique international political situation in [[Antarctica]]. Under the section titled “Disputes – International” one line of text made his breath catch in his throat and set him on a course that would forever change his life: "''no formal claims have been made in the sector between 90 degrees west and 150 degrees west''". At first, the future Grand Duke Travis decided to name his claimed lands as [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica|The Achaean Territory of Antarctica]], having been inspired by Greek imagery of [[The Illiad]], which he was reading at the time. | ||
[[ | The proposed capital city was to be named [[Achilles]] and would be located at the site of the seasonally abandoned [[Byrd Station]]. | ||
Over time, like-minded individuals occasionally reached out with a desire to join his cause for statehood in the coldest place on earth. What drove them to his door remains a mystery, but it appears that each person had their own reasons for wanting to abscond to a desolate realm on the far side of the world. Despite the Achaean Territory's growing citizenship roster, they made absolutely no progress toward actual colonization of Antarctica. Scientists wouldn't return e-mails, and few people took the upstart group seriously. Even the simple goal of convincing someone to plant the Achaean flag in the ice of Western Antarctica seemed well out of reach. | Over time, like-minded individuals occasionally reached out with a desire to join his cause for statehood in the coldest place on earth. What drove them to his door remains a mystery, but it appears that each person had their own reasons for wanting to abscond to a desolate realm on the far side of the world. Despite the Achaean Territory's growing citizenship roster, they made absolutely no progress toward actual colonization of Antarctica. Scientists wouldn't return e-mails, and few people took the upstart group seriously. Even the simple goal of convincing someone to plant the Achaean flag in the ice of Western Antarctica seemed well out of reach. | ||
=== Westarctica is Born (2004 - 2006) === | === Westarctica is Born (2004 - 2006) === | ||
It was during this time that Travis had a religious experience that caused him to briefly convert to Christianity. As a result of this conversion, he decided to reboot the project and declare it a fully functional sovereign nation. The new country was called ''The Grand Duchy of Westarctica''. The name Westarctica was carefully chosen to evoke images of Western Antarctica, and also, as an homage to the Napoleonic [[ | It was during this time that Travis had a religious experience that caused him to briefly convert to Christianity. As a result of this conversion, he decided to reboot the project and declare it a fully functional sovereign nation. The new country was called ''The Grand Duchy of Westarctica''. The name Westarctica was carefully chosen to evoke images of Western Antarctica, and also, as an homage to the Napoleonic [[Kingdom of Westphalia]]. Plus, the name rolls off the tongue far better than West-ant-arctica. | ||
The years from [[2004]] – [[2006]] were the high times of Westarctica's prestige. Travis married his girlfriend, Cathryn, who wore a tiara during the wedding ceremony and proudly joined the ranks of the Westarctican nobility. When she gave birth to Prince Daniel Nicholas in November of [[2005]], it was a time of excitement for everyone in the nation. With a little help from the international media, public interest in Westarctica increased, and the correspondence and citizenship requests began arriving on a daily basis. The general public was fascinated by Westarctica and by the concept of claiming previously unclaimed land. | The years from [[2004]] – [[2006]] were the high times of Westarctica's prestige. Travis married his girlfriend, Cathryn, who wore a tiara during the wedding ceremony and proudly joined the ranks of the Westarctican nobility. When she gave birth to Prince Daniel Nicholas in November of [[2005]], it was a time of excitement for everyone in the nation. With a little help from the international media, public interest in Westarctica increased, and the correspondence and citizenship requests began arriving on a daily basis. The general public was fascinated by Westarctica and by the concept of claiming previously unclaimed land. | ||