There are hundreds of micronations in the world. One of the newest is the Republic of Slowjamastan, located in the California desert. This 4.5-hectare plot of land was purchased by Randy Williams in 2021. He declared himself Sultan and began building his "nation."
It started with improvised road signs that caught the attention of local authorities. Soon, more serious attributes appeared: a border checkpoint, a police patrol, its own currency, and even a national anthem set to the tune of Elton John's "Rocket Man." Williams also created unique laws, such as a ban on Crocs and a permit for speeding only when rushing home with tacos.
Citizenship in Slowjamastan, acquired through a simple online application, is free and open to all. The micronation now has 25,000 "citizens" from 120 countries. People join for various reasons: some seek an escape from politics, others out of curiosity, and some want to add an honorary title to their LinkedIn profile.
Sultan Williams frames his country as a form of "governing cosplay," stating its appeal "knows no borders." In 2023, Slowjamastan will host MicroCon2027, a gathering of delegates from over 43 micronations to discuss sovereignty and national symbols. However, the territory currently has no lodging facilities.
