North Pole

  • Contested territories
  • Discovered 12 May 1926
  • Claimed by Denmark, Russia, Canada, Norway, United States
  • Administered by International Seabed Authority

The North Pole is the northernmost point of the earth and lies in the middle of the Arctic Ocean. Contrary to Antarctica there is no landmass here, just ice sea, the Arctic Ocean. The North Pole first appeared on a map as early as 1595, but the first successful expedition was in 1926 by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen. Officially the North Pole and the Arctic Ocean don’t belong to any country but there are claims made by at least five countries: Canada, Denmark, Norway, the United States and Russia. The area, which is now covered by shifting sea ice, is supposed to be rich in natural resources like gas and oil.

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Kurdistan

The Kurds are often said to be the largest ethnic group in the world without a state. Kurdistan refers to an area consisting of parts of southeastern Turkey (Northern Kurdistan), northern Iraq (Southern Kurdistan), northwestern Iran (Eastern Kurdistan) and northern Syria (Rojava or Western Kurdistan). Those who identify as Kurdish form a prominent majority in the area and Kurdish culture, languages and national identity have deep historical roots there. Some Kurdish nationalist organizations seek to create an independent nation state consisting of some or all of the areas with a Kurdish majority, while others campaign for greater autonomy within the existing national boundaries. Kurdistan, as one of the most mountainous regions in the world, cherishes its mountains with the saying ‘Kurds have no friends but the mountains’.

Gibraltar

Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory located at the southern tip of Spain. It is self-governing, with some responsibilities remaining with the British government. Spain also asserts a claim to Gibraltar, but the inhabitants have rejected proposals for Spanish sovereignty in several referendums. Gibraltar is strategically important, with half the world’s seaborne trade passing through the strait. Furthermore, it is one of the most densely populated territories in the world, with approximately 4,959 inhabitants per square kilometre. Its economy is based largely on tourism, online gambling, financial services and cargo ship refuelling. The Rock of Gibraltar is an iconic feature of the territory.

Sabotage

State of Sabotage (SoS) was founded as a sovereign state in 2003 on the unpopulated island Harakka in Finland. It was initiated by the Austrian artist Robert Jelinek during the Amorph Summit of Micronations in Helsinki, Finland. The patron saint of Sabotage is H.R. Giger, the Swiss artist famous for his sombre and grotesque imagery. According to their own statement ‘Sabotage knows neither officials nor functionaries—it knows only self-determined artists and active associates.’ The State has its own art collection with contributions by Roman Signer, Joseph Beuys, Arman Linke, among others. Sabotage has a non defined territory and may emerge anywhere geographically.