Fotheringtonistan

The smallest nation in the world is Fotheringtonistan. This tiny nation has no citizens, and is located within the borders of Kenya. It exists as a result of a disputed land contract signed by British explorer, entrepreneur, slave trader, and fish tycoon, Martin Roberts-Roberts-Fotherington, on 11th April 1804. Roberts-Roberts-Fotherington was so outraged when he found out that the contract, which he had re-mortgaged his second-largest Haddock-trawler to pay for, only covered an area comprised of 3.24 square metres on the side of a hill, that he renounced his British citizenship, and declared the patch of land to be an independent republic, upon which he would settle and rule. Unfortunately, his boat sank on the journey to his republic, when it collided with the edge of Africa. His wife, Edith, insisted that the land remain independent, and created both a flag and national anthem for Fotheringtonistan. Despite the family refusing to alter the status of the country, it is not actually recognised by the United Nations or any other country, and has not been retaken by the Kenyan government only because they say it is “useless”.

This fence, photographed in 1974 by TW Angel representes the entire Western border of Fotheringtonistan.

©2009 James Mathurin