The tiny country inside California with 16,000 citizens, its own passports and currency – but Crocs are banned
HAVE you ever heard of the tiny micronation that lies inside California?
While you might think the answer is on the tip of your tongue, you’d be wrong.
The Republic of Slowjamastan is a tiny micronation located inside California, it has over 16,000 registered citizens, as well as other features like its own passport, national anthem, and currency called the Duble.
Despite all of these accolades, the Republic of Slowjamastan isn’t officially recognised by any other country.
Instead, the tiny state was invented by Randy “R Dub!” Williams – a DJ from San Diego who ran out of countries to visit.
When Williams only had one UN-recognised country left to visit, he decided to create his own.
The DJ-turned-statesman bought a large plot of land in the Californian desert where he established his very own micronation.
Named after his own radio show, Williams, who is also known as the sultan of Slowjamastan, declared independence from America on December 1, 2021.
The independence ceremony was broadcast live from Williams’ open-air government ‘office’ in Dublândia – the micronation’s capital.
Officially called The United Territories of The Sovereign Nation of The People’s Republic of Slowjamastan, the micronation has over 500 registered citizens, with more than 4,500 people said to be on its waiting list.
Located a two-and-a-half-hour drive from San Diego, the micronation has built its own border control posts and state flags even fly above the Sultan’s ministerial office.
Williams told CNN Travel: “We’re a dictatorship most of the time. On occasion, we’ll hold special voting ceremonies and referendums.
“Recently, I allowed citizens to vote on what should be our national fruit, sport, and even what our national animal should be named.”
The micronation has even introduced a number of bizarre laws, with times like Crocs and “mumble rap” outlawed.
In addition to applying for citizenship, tourists can visit the tiny micronation but will need to apply for a Visa to enter.
Popular attractions include taking selfies in front of the Slowjamastan sign, visiting Independence Square, and searching for the elusive Slowjamastan raccoon, the national animal.
Other events like official ceremonies also take place throughout the year.
Williams wants to expand his offering even further, and he hopes to open other attractions like a lazy river, an armadillo farm, and a BBQ restaurant.
This isn’t the only micronation on the globe, there’s another one much closer to home.
Sealand lies 12km east of Suffolk in the North Sea and became a self-declared Principality in the 1960s.
Meanwhile, Eel Pie Island, which is found on the River Thames in Twickenham, can only be visited by tourists twice a year.
