World's smallest country up for sale

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

LONDON (Reuters) - For sale: the world's smallest country with its own flag, stamps, currency and passports.

Apply to Prince Michael of Sealand if you want to run your own storm-tossed nation -- even if it is just a wartime fort perched on two concrete towers in the North Sea.

Built in World War Two as an anti-aircraft base against German bombers, the derelict platform was taken over 40 years ago by retired army major Paddy Roy Bates who went to live there with his family.

He declared the platform, perched seven miles off the east coast of England just outside Britain's territorial waters, to be the principality of Sealand.

The self-styled Prince Roy adopted a flag, chose a national anthem and minted silver and gold coins as its currency.

The family saw off an attempt by the Royal Navy to evict them and also an attempt in 1978 by a group of German and Dutch businessmen to seize Sealand by force.

"I was held prisoner out there for three or four days and then managed to get back to England," Roy's son Michael told BBC Radio on Monday.

"I slid down a rope out of a helicopter with my father and a couple of comrades and took the place back against armed opposition. It was quite a high point in my life," he said.

Prince Michael, whose 85-year-old father now lives in Spain, said his family had been approached by estate agents with clients "who wanted a bit more than a bit of real estate, they wanted autonomy."

Asked what were the delights of living on Sealand, the 54-year-old prince said "The neighbours are very quiet. There is a good sea view."

"There is no jurisdiction by any other country in the world," he said, suggesting it could be a base for online gambling or offshore banking.

Calling it a cross between a house and a ship, the prince acknowledged it was not the world's most picturesque country, boasting as it does two large concrete towers with eight rooms in each tower.

"It is fairly bleak," he conceded. ""But it is quite pleasant sitting inside in the warm and watching the horrendous weather roaring past the double-glazed windows."

So what did he expect to get for Sealand?

"We shall see," Prince Michael said. "I will listen to anybody who wants to talk."

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[kim&james 0]

COOOOOOL!!!!

That place is going to go for a mint just for the history of it.... if only I was rich!

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Maybe pool everyone contributions, get it for ourselves on here

[almaty 19]

yeap. sounds like an interesting historical place

[thaibu 0]

who wants to live on this? ...maybe Osama Binladens new home once captured

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

Maybe pool everyone contributions, get it for ourselves on here

just think - you could make your own immigration policy

[brnidokiegurl 0]

You can be President? King? TOP DOG? what would u call yourself, everyone come live, no forms to fill out. Talk about melting pot

[Savanphil 3]

Maybe a historical museum will buy it, and have trips and tours to it.

[maryandatif 0]

Maybe pool everyone contributions, get it for ourselves on here

just think - you could make your own immigration policy

GOOD ONE!!

[Tim and Bethanie 1]

This is just off the coast of my husbands home town. Trust me no one wants to own it if the views are as schitty from it, as they are from the shore.

[brnidokiegurl 0]

wow thanks, cancel all buy out plans guys, Charles sorry no president for you then

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

wow thanks, cancel all buy out plans guys, Charles sorry no president for you then

just raise taxes and change the view

[thaibu 0]

If someone here buys this I'll install the first McDonalds, Starbucks and Segway retailer.

[SoL. 0]

If someone here buys this I'll install the first McDonalds, Starbucks and Segway retailer.

[maggieNomar 0]

You can be President? King? TOP DOG? what would u call yourself, everyone come live, no forms to fill out. Talk about melting pot

The view is beautiful. Let's buy it Brndl. I can see it now...lawn chairs, bbq, put a sunporch to the south...yep.