Micronations are frequently expressions of political protest, personal entertainment, theoretical experimentation, artistic expression, or the conduct of criminal activity. Some micronations issue passports, have flags, postage stamps, coins and medals. The latest list of micronations shows just how diverse they are, both in location, political and social alliance.

In 1989 Whangamomona Republic was established as a tourism booster, in a rural town in New Zealand. The locals objected when the government revealed plans to move the area's district boundaries. A goat and a poodle are among the past-elected presidents. Visitors to Whangamomona receive a passport.

The Aeterna Lucina micronation was founded in 1978, in Australia. It has a self-proclaimed baron, Paul Baron Neuman. In 1990 several associated businessmen were charged, with land and visa fraud.

Aromoana was established when a small New Zealand community declared itself independent, in 1980 as a protest against the building of an aluminum smelter on nearby land.

Founded by George Francis Cruishank in 1981, Atlantium, is a global sovereignty group based in Australia.

Under the leadership of Johathan Austen, in South London, Austenasia was formed in 2008. It has a constitutional monarchy and three privately owned properties.

John Charlton Rudge formed Avram, Tasmania, Australia, in the 1980s, It is a non-territorial micronation. The eccentric self-proclaimed duke, was later elected to the Tasmanian state parliament.

British West Florida, established in 2005, was intended to revive the British colony of the same name.

Barony of Caux, an absolute feudal barony, boasts around 80 subjects worldwide. It was created in 2001 by baron, John V Corbett, who lives in Ontario, Canada.

The Conch Republic, in the Florida Keys, was established in1982. It claimed independence from the USA, under Dennis Wardlow's leadership.

Visit a caravan park in Norfolk, England, and meet Nick Copeman, now known as HM King Nicholas 1, founder of the Copeman Empire in 2003.

Gay and Lesbian Kingdom, 2004, a political protest of the Coral Sea Islands, is run by Dale Anderson, based in southeast Queensland, Australia.

Elleore was created in 1944, by a group of school teachers as a summer camp on the island of Elleore, Denmark.

EnenKio, created 1994, has been declared a scam for selling passports and diplomatic papers. It claims Wake Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

Stuart Hill declared Forvik, an islet in the Shetland, independent from Scotland in 2008.

Frestonia was established after a legal dispute in 1977, arguing over the unauthorized performance by Heathcote Willims, of his play the Immortalist.

A country without borders, for peace loving people everywhere is the Global Country of World Peace. Established in 2000 and run by Maharaja Adhiraj Rajaraam. Its capital is in Iowa.

Hajducka Repoblika Mijata Tomica, formed in 2002, is a protest project based in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was started over problems with local electricity supplies.

Hay-on-Wye in Wales was declared independent in 1977, as a publicity stunt by Richard Booth.

Hutt River, a large farm in Western Australia and created in 1970, is widely known as the Hutt River Province.

Kugelmugel, 1984, is a ball-shaped house, built by artist Edwin Lipburger. It is located in Vienna. Lipburger was protesting against building permits.

Ladonia was created in north-west Skane, by Swedish artist Lars Viks in 1980, as the home of sculpturers.

Operated by self-proclaimed Grand Duke Louis Stephans, Lagoan Isles was formed in 2005. Stephans claims that the three tiny islands of Portsmouth pond are not owned by the local council

L'Anse-Saint-Jean was established by Denys Tremblay in 1997, to promote tourism in a tiny town of Quebec.

Kingdom of Lovely is Internet-based. It was formed in 2004 by Danny Wallace, as part of the BBC TV series How to Start Your Own Country.

Lundy, created in 1925, is an island off the west coast of England. It has had semi-independent status under various warlords.

Run by Richard James McDonald And established in 1986, Melchizedek is known for facilitating large scale banking fraud in many parts of the world.

Molassia, founded by Kevin Baugh in 1977, occupies semi-rural residential acreage in Nevada. Baugh uses poker chips for money.

Located in the northeastern U.S., Northern Forest Archipelago, 1998, is environmentally focused. It is made up of privately owned properties in the Northern Forest area of New York State.

Nova Roma, an organization of Roman revivalists was created in 1998.

Other World Kingdom, an absolute monarchy/matriarchy where women rule over all men, was founed in 1996 in the Czech Republic.

Pescenica, founded in the 1990's, is a satirical parodical project, ruled by dictator Zeljko Malnar, located in Croatia.

Tomas Barnes created Rainbow Creek in 1979, when it seceded from Victoria, Australia, over damage to farmlands caused by flooding.

Saugeais, established in 1947, is an officially recognized micronation located in eastern France.

Also called HRH Prince Roy, Paddy Roy Bates, commandeered Sealand, in 1967. A manmade World War II base off the coast of England, it rises up out of the ocean.

Serboga, established in 954, claims it has never been part of the modern state of Italy.

Talossa was created as a bedroom kingdom in 1979, in Wisconsin, by Robert Ben Madison.

Formed in 1997in Lithuania, Uzupis has its own president, flag, currency and constitution.

Founded in Canada in 2005, Vikesland was created for the purposes of a TV documentary.

Valtio was formed in 2006 by Ari Peltonen, as a joke. It is located in Finland.

Wanstonia was formed by protestors against the M11 motorway link road, in north-east London, in 1994.

Waveland, located on a rocky islet in the North Atlantic, was formed in 1997 to protest oil drilling in the area.

Westarctica, established 1989, claims a large chunk of unclaimed land in Marie Byrd Land, Antarctica.

Wirtland transcends national borders and was formed in 2008. It is an experiment into legitimacy and self-sustainability of a country without its own soil.