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Have You Heard of the Republic of Molossia? It’s In Nevada.


How in the world have I lived in the United States my entire life and cover the news for a living and I’ve never heard of “The Republic of Molossia” which is located in Nevada, USA?

How about you?

Have you heard about this before?

Allow me to fill you in….

It all started when I saw this post from Behizy on X:

Full screen video player here with captions:

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And if you can’t watch right now, here’s the Full Text Transcript:

Did you know that there are currently 2 presidents on U.S. territory?
One is Donald Trump, who was recently elected President of the United States.
The other is Kevin Ball, the President of the Republic of Molossia, a self-proclaimed nation located in Nevada.
This micronation covers an area of only 11.3 acres and has a population of 39 residents.
Its capital, which is also its only city, is called Boston.

The founder of the country is also its current president.
Welcome to the Republic of Molossia!
Molossia has its own flag, coat of arms, customs, government, currency, and military.
They don’t use credit cards or cash here because they have their own currency called Valora, which is made from Oreo cookie dough.
What’s amusing is that they also claim to be at war with East Germany, a country that no longer exists.

Additionally, Molossia has claimed sovereignty over the moon and Venus.
Although it is just a small micronation, Molossia attracts many visitors due to its uniqueness and humor.
This nation has a large number of fans and tourists.
The Republic of Molossia is not recognized by the United States or any other country in the world.
But as long as they don’t violate any laws, they are free to do whatever.

Fascinating, right?

Now if you’re like me you probably have a bunch more questions…

Let’s start with some basics:

The Republic of Molossia is a self-declared micronation located near Dayton, Nevada, USA. It was founded by Kevin Baugh, who serves as the nation’s President. Although it is not officially recognized by any sovereign country or international organization, Molossia has gained a significant amount of attention as one of the most well-known micronations in the world.

Basic Facts

  • Full Name: Republic of Molossia
  • Founded: May 26, 1977 (originally as the Grand Republic of Vuldstein, later renamed)
  • Founder and President: Kevin Baugh
  • Location: Dayton, Nevada, USA
  • Area: Approximately 1.3 acres (0.53 hectares)
  • Population: Around 30 (including President Baugh’s family, dogs, and other pets)
  • Language: English (though it also claims Esperanto as an official language)
  • Currency: Valora (pegged to the value of cookie dough)
  • Government Type: Dictatorship (Baugh humorously refers to himself as the “benevolent dictator”)

History

Molossia originated as a childhood project in 1977 when Kevin Baugh and a friend created a fictional nation called the Grand Republic of Vuldstein. Over time, Baugh expanded upon the idea, eventually declaring independence as the Republic of Molossia in 1999.

Molossia claims to be at war with East Germany—a humorous declaration since East Germany no longer exists. According to Baugh, the war began in 1983 and is ongoing because he never formally received a surrender.

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Government & Laws

Molossia operates under a strict, yet playful, legal system that includes:

  • Bans on:
    • Catfish
    • Onions
    • Walruses
    • Texan accents
    • Nuclear weapons (despite its small size, Molossia is a “nuclear-free zone”)

The country has its own national flag, anthem, and constitution, although its laws are largely symbolic.


Culture & Tourism

Molossia welcomes visitors, but only by appointment. Tours are personally led by President Kevin Baugh and showcase:

  • Government buildings (his house and backyard)
  • The Bank of Molossia
  • Post Office (sells Molossian stamps)
  • Space Program (which consists of small model rockets)

Molossia also has a national space program, navy (a few inflatable boats), and a railway system (a small-scale model train).


Economy & Currency

Molossia’s currency, the Valora, is based on the value of cookie dough rather than gold or paper money. The country has a small economy primarily based on tourism and souvenir sales.


Recognition & International Relations

Molossia is not recognized as an independent country by the United Nations or any major government, but it does engage in diplomatic relations with other micronations. It is a member of the Micronational community, where enthusiasts create and operate their own small nations for fun.


Fun Facts

  • Molossia has its own time zone, Molossian Standard Time, which is 39 minutes ahead of Pacific Time.
  • The nation claims territories on Earth, the Moon, and Venus.
  • The country’s “navy” consists of inflatable rafts used in nearby lakes.

And my main question: Is this officially recognized as a sovereign nation within American soil?  Kind of like a Native American reservation?

Not really:

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No, Molossia is not sovereign land in a legal sense. It is fully subject to U.S. law and located within Nevada, meaning it is still considered part of the United States.

Legal Status

  • Molossia is a micronation, meaning it is a self-declared entity that claims independence but is not recognized by the United States government or any international body.
  • Kevin Baugh still pays U.S. property taxes, which he humorously refers to as “foreign aid” to the U.S.
  • The land itself is privately owned by Kevin Baugh, meaning he has the right to do as he pleases within the boundaries of U.S. law.

How Does It Function?

  • While Baugh has declared it an independent nation, Molossia has no legal sovereignty and does not have control over its borders like a real country.
  • U.S. federal, state, and local laws still apply in Molossia.
  • Visitors do not need a passport to enter (though Molossia stamps passports as a novelty).

Comparison to Other Entities

  • Unlike sovereign microstates like Vatican City or San Marino, which have full international recognition, Molossia exists purely for fun and does not have diplomatic recognition from any nation.
  • It is similar to other micronations like Sealand (off the coast of the UK) and the Principality of Hutt River (Australia, now defunct), which claim sovereignty but lack legal standing.

Bottom Line

Molossia is not carved out of U.S. territory in any legal sense. It is a privately owned property with a fictional government, making it more of a theatrical nation than a sovereign state. However, it has gained fame as one of the most well-known micronations in the world.



 

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