Principality of Vikesland
Encyclopedia
The Kingdom of Vikesland is a micronation
located in Manitoba
, Canada
. It was founded in 2005 by Christopher Barry Joseph Beyette (who refers to himself as King Christopher I), a television news cameraman employed by the CHUM network.
Vikesland's creation and subsequent development was the intended focus of a documentary film about micronations which Beyette planned to produce. The focus of the micronation's activities subsequently shifted to unspecified endeavours of a charitable and humanitarian nature.
The Vikesland website states that the micronation is "not secessionist" and has no intention of claiming the territory of Canada or any other sovereign state.
However, the site also identifies Beyette's place of residence in the town of Brandon
, as well as a nearby 6.5 square kilometre rural property which he co-owns with his parents, as being "Vikeslandic territory". The latter is referred to as the "Royal Ranchlands".
, launching the Eagle and the Mustang, respectively. However, Vikesland's greatest breakthrough was having its flag aboard the Away 35 mission of JP Aerospace
. In doing so, it became the first micronation to send its flag beyond the atmosphere.
Micronation
Micronations, sometimes also referred to as model countries and new country projects, are entities that claim to be independent nations or states but which are not recognized by world governments or major international organizations...
located in Manitoba
Manitoba
Manitoba is a Canadian prairie province with an area of . The province has over 110,000 lakes and has a largely continental climate because of its flat topography. Agriculture, mostly concentrated in the fertile southern and western parts of the province, is vital to the province's economy; other...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. It was founded in 2005 by Christopher Barry Joseph Beyette (who refers to himself as King Christopher I), a television news cameraman employed by the CHUM network.
Vikesland's creation and subsequent development was the intended focus of a documentary film about micronations which Beyette planned to produce. The focus of the micronation's activities subsequently shifted to unspecified endeavours of a charitable and humanitarian nature.
The Vikesland website states that the micronation is "not secessionist" and has no intention of claiming the territory of Canada or any other sovereign state.
However, the site also identifies Beyette's place of residence in the town of Brandon
Brandon, Manitoba
Brandon is the second largest city in Manitoba, Canada, and is located in the southwestern area of the province. Brandon is the largest city in the Westman region of Manitoba. The city is located along the Assiniboine River. Spruce Woods Provincial Park and CFB Shilo are a relatively short distance...
, as well as a nearby 6.5 square kilometre rural property which he co-owns with his parents, as being "Vikeslandic territory". The latter is referred to as the "Royal Ranchlands".
Flag
The kingdom's flag is identical to the flag of the German Empire, except it is has a white, Albanian-style double-headed eagle.Space Program
Vikesland has launched several model rockets in its space program. It engaged in a joint rocket project with the Republic of MolossiaRepublic of Molossia
The Republic of Molossia is an unrecognized micronation, founded by Kevin Baugh semi-humorously as a "dictatorial banana-republic" and headquartered solely from a tiny home near Dayton, Nevada....
, launching the Eagle and the Mustang, respectively. However, Vikesland's greatest breakthrough was having its flag aboard the Away 35 mission of JP Aerospace
JP Aerospace
JP Aerospace is a volunteer-based organization dedicated to achieving affordable access to space. They have been hired by the U.S. Air Force to provide concepts to allow rapid launch of battlefield communication and monitoring systems....
. In doing so, it became the first micronation to send its flag beyond the atmosphere.