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:
White House sources tell me President Trump will be imposing MASSIVE tariffs on the Republic of Molossia. pic.twitter.com/PUKsI6iPHc
— George (@BehizyTweets) February 2, 2025
Full screen video player here with captions:
The TRUTH about the Republic of Molossia….in Nevada, USA! pic.twitter.com/c55K8q0G5v
— Noah Christopher (@DailyNoahNews) February 2, 2025
And if you can’t watch right now, here’s the Full Text Transcript:
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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