the micronation founded by a Californian DJ that already has 25,000 citizens

The state route 78 crosses the immense wasteland the size of the province of Vizcaya. Halfway along the route, after the hills of Ocotillo Wells, you take a slight curve to the left. From there, an infinite straight line disappears into the sandy horizon.

Ten minutes later, to the left, a green sign announces to visitors that they have arrived at the micronation of Slowjamastan. To enter the country it is required prior appointment and overcome an exhaustive outfit review before crossing the control barrier.

The country’s information specifies that this is a place where they love to joke, but they must get very serious about some issues. For example, it is strictly prohibited to use ‘Crocs’ sneakers.

‘Crocs’ are rubber shoes with holes very popular in the US. In Spain they are famous thanks to the reports of ‘Frank de la jungla’. The laws of the country prohibit them because, simply, their leader hates them.

They remember that the territory is private property and that borders cannot be crossed without asking permission. They claim that this area of ​​the desert is home to dangerous creatures. It is the only country in the world where no one has died so far and they want it to remain that way.

The ‘immigration authorities’ warn that it is essential to organize a arranged visit. It would not be the first time that a tourist makes a long trip through the desert to later discover that there is no one in the country.

With a little luck, the self-proclaimed great sultan and supreme leader, your excellency Randy ‘R Dub!’ Williamswill deliver the welcome speech. In it, he will provide the essential data to know the republic and explain the laws that regulate it.

The legal framework is very brief: barely a dozen laws. In addition to the prohibition of wearing the said sneakers, it is strictly listening to rap is prohibited. The use of ‘reply all’ in email or not press the button cancel in the microwave when the food is taken out before the set time.

The legislation is ambiguous on certain capital issues. For example, the law does not clarify whether the toilet paper It must be placed on the support, unrolling inwards or outwards. “If you have to ask how to do it, Slowjamastan is not for you,” he specifies.

Anyone can be a citizen of that country: it’s free, but you have to fill out an application and pass a simple test. To have a passport or become an ambassador, you have to contribute a small monthly amount. At this time there are 25,000 subjects, but none live there permanently.

The youngest nation

The story of its creation is as peculiar as everything that surrounds this invented micronation: Its founder, Randy Williams, had set himself the challenge of visiting all the countries in the world. The official list registers 195, but if limited recognition territories are added, it exceeds 200.

When the pandemic hit, Williams was close to completing the challenge. An inveterate traveler, he had a hard time staying at home for so many weeks. One day he ‘escaped’ to visit Molossiaa micronation in the state of Nevada and that planted the seed.

A few weeks later he ‘registered’ the alleged People’s Republic of Slowjamastan. He designed a flag, a shield and a coin, the double. He also created the hymn: it sounds like Rocket man by Elton John. The lyrics say “Slowjamastan: I think this is going to be a great place.”

In October 2021, Williams acquired a desert land of about 5 hectares in the county of Imperial, California. In December, he officially declared independence from the United States. According to its Foreign Ministry, no one has so far recognized the nation, except for the founder’s mother.

Randy Williams (Chicago, 49 years old) declares himself a lover of Slow Jam, the type of slow music from the 80s and 90s that includes ballads like Unbreak my heartby Toni Braxton or classics by Elton John or Marvin Gaye.

At the age of 15 he created a station dedicated to this type of music. Currently, your program Sunday Night Slow Jams It is broadcast on more than 200 radio stations in everyone.

The micronations

A micronation is usually defined as a self-proclaimed sovereign entity that claims to be a country or state, but is not recognized by any government or international organization. There is no official record of micronations. Some estimates put the figure as high as a few hundred.

They are usually associated with a territory owned by an individual or group of people who declare themselves independent of the country in which they are found. In most cases, this statement is of no consequence.

The reasons for its creation may be issues of political identity, social experimentation, entertainment or commercial issues. In the case of Slowjamastánlike many others, is a way to pass the time for its founder and those who follow him.

Another similar project is Molossia, in the Nevada desert, near Daytona. It was initially created as a children’s theme park. In 1999, its owner Kevin Baugh proclaimed a “humorous republic.”

The most famous case is Zealanda micronation installed at Fort Roughs, a military platform located on the British North Sea coast. The station was housed there Radio Essex in the 60s. Its owner, Roy Batesproclaimed independence from the United Kingdom in 1967.

He starred in media episodes: an attempt to ‘coup d’état‘, a fire in 2006, disputes over jurisdiction and the debate over whether or not the platform was in international waters.