Is Atlantium a secessionist state?
No. Atlantium is not attempting to "secede" from any existing territorial state in order to create a new territorial state.
Are you a "micronation"?
No. "Micronations" are state-like entities that exist only on the internet. Unlike Atlantium they do not have a verifiable existence in the real world or any sustainable claim to legitimacy.
Are you a club or a political simulation?
No. The operations of Atlantium are real, and are directed towards the goal of eventual formal recognition by the wider community of nations.
Are you a commercial enterprise?
No. Atlantium does not exist to make money. All official and administrative roles within Atlantium are undertaken on a voluntary basis, and all funds generated via the sale of Atlantian postage stamps, coins, banknotes and merchandise either directly support the Empire's ongoing operations or are donated to international charitable, aid and cultural organisations.
What are you then?
The Empire of Atlantium is a legitimate, functioning, primarily non-territorial microstate and proto-world state that possesses immanent, parallel global sovereignty. The purpose of Atlantium is to promote via its existence the fact that sovereignty in the modern world does not need to be have any form of territorial basis, and that every individual has the right to choose his or her citizenship irrespective of where they were born, or where they live.
Is Atlantium a real country?
Yes. Atlantium is a self-declared State possessing the fully functioning apparatus, institutions and representative symbols of an independent, sovereign entity, including a population, a Constitution, judicial system, elected legislature, flags and insignia, a monetary system and diplomatic representation, amongst others.
In this respect it is important to note the following articles from the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, which form the traditional internationally accepted basis for the legal definition of statehood:
Article 1 The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications: (a) a permanent population; (
a defined territory; © government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states.
Article 3 The political existence of the state is independent of recognition by the other states. Even before recognition the state has the right to defend its integrity and independence, to provi de for its conservation and prosperity, and consequently to organize itself as it sees fit, to legislate upon its interests, administer its services, and to define the jurisdiction and competence of its courts.
Does Atlantium possess any territory?
Yes. Atlantium possesses a 61 square metre enclave located just over a kilometre from the central business district of Sydney, entirely surrounded by the City of South Sydney and the State of New South Wales within the Commonwealth of Australia.
Known as the Imperium Proper, this has a permanent population, forms the sole territorial claim of the Empire, and is its official Capital. The Empire's claim to the Imperium Proper remains uncontested by the Commonwealth of Australia with whom Atlantium maintains pragmatic, non-confrontational relations.
How is it possible for a country to exist with virtually no territory?
Several such recognised states already exist.
The Vatican City for example possesses only a few hectares of land and has a mere handful of citizens, whilst the Sovereign Military Order of Malta has existed as a state without territory since its expulsion from the island of Malta nearly two centuries ago. Both of the aforementioned are widely recognised by UN Member States, including the United States.
In light of the above, what do you mean when you say Atlantium is a primarily non-territorial state?
Atlantium believes that territorial claims as the basis for statehood mean very little in the present day.
It is a key Atlantian contention that whilst Article 1(
of the Montevideo Convention has hitherto generally comprised the major qualifier for the determination of legitimate statehood, the increasing mobility of global populations, and their ability to communicate and to form comm unities across or without reference to territorial boundaries render this definition increasingly less relevant.
We therefore assert that the primary legitimacy of Atlantium should be determined by its de facto existence as represented by its community of Citizens - wherever they happen to be distributed geographically - and its operating institutions - not solely on the basis of its territorial claims.
How serious are you?
Quite serious. The Foundation of Atlantium was unilateral, however that does not alter the fact of the Empire's existence. At 61 square metres we qualify as the world's smallest territorial State. That of course brings into play certain practical realities, and we choose to deal with these in a pragmatic manner. We also recognise that our broader goals are unlikely to be achieved in the short term.
Do you pay taxes?
Yes. Citizens who reside or work outside the Imperium Proper must subscribe to the laws that apply in their country of residence or employment, in the same way that all foreign nationals residing or working in other countries do.
What is the population of Atlantium?
As at Sextarius 10521 (June 2002) Atlantium had a population of more than 500 Citizens, living in over 60 countries on 6 continents.
Which countries have recognised Atlantium?
Atlantium has not sought to establish bilateral relations with any other state, and does not intend to do so until its independent existence as a viable economic entity can assure the derivation of quantifiable mutual benefit from the success of such efforts.
Why is Latin your official language?
Latin was selected as one of the Empire's two official languages (the other is English) because it affords an immediate and identifiable historic link to the culture upon which the political structures and state symbolism of the Empire are based. It also has the benefit of being widely understood, yet is simultaneously relatively culturally neutral by virtue of the fact that it is no longer a "living" language.
What is the current status of the Imperial Senate?
The Devolution of Authorities which underpins the Atlantian system of government lapsed in 10509 (1990) when Imperial Senate elections failed to occur within the timeframe specified by the Constitution. All Judicial, Legislative and Executive Authority thereby reverted to the Emperor who afterwards ruled by Decree. In 10520 (2001) the Office of the Emperor announced the progressive appointment of a transitional government, as part of a longer-term strategy to return the Imperium to full representative democracy. Several Ministers were subsequently installed and in Sextarius (July) of that year the Empire's Judicial Authority was devolved to a new Magister Aequitas (chief justice). Due to sustained rapid population growth, the Transitional Imperial Administration has not thus far been willing to set a date for elections to re-establish an independent legislature, and whilst several Senators-designate have been named, the Imperial Senate itself remains in a state of abeyance.
What is your politics?
Because Atlantium is not a political party it does not espouse or promote a fixed political agenda. Political views are a Constitutionally guaranteed matter of personal choice, and the Empire embraces Citizens supporting a broad diversity of such views - from authoritarian socialism at one end of the spectrum, to anarchist libertarianism at the other.
What are your principles?
Atlantium is founded on two important principles:
1. That the only demonstrably viable basis for sound, stable, progressive, maximally beneficient government is the recognition that individual rights and collective social responsibilities are intrinsically co-existent.
2. That eventual global social, economic and political union is both inevitable and desirable.
Apart from the above, Atlantium supports a range of extremely liberal Constitutionally guaranteed personal freedoms and responsibilities founded on a belief in the fundamental equality of all people.
What are your religious views?
Atlantium is a secular state with no religious affiliations whatsoever. The religious beliefs of Atlantian Citizens are a Constitutionally guaranteed matter of personal choice.
Why do you refer to Atlantium as a "republican monarchy"? Isn't that a contradiction in terms?
The structure of the Atlantian state has been designed to reconcile within a single entity all of the best features of both monarchist and republican systems of government. As in a republic, all Citizens have a Constitutionally-defined equal opportunity to participate in the public life of the state, and to aspire to its highest offices. Atlantium differs from traditional republics however in that the Head of State is a permanent member of the Executive, and is therefore a politically neutral figure, thereby ensuring that the operations of government maintain a high level of stability. Because the Emperor is elected from amongst a council of eminent Citizens whose individual achievements have been recognised via their membership of a non-hereditary Nobility, he or she is also much more likely to be appropriately suited to the role than a political figure would be.
What is the idea behind your decimal calendar?
Atlantium is committed to a policy of relative cultural neutrality and has therefore developed an efficient, easy-to-use non-sectarian year numbering system and decimal calendar called the Annus Novus System which was introduced on 1st January 2001.
What does it cost to join?
There is no charge to become a Citizen of the Empire of Atlantium.
How do I become a Citizen of Atlantium?
Those wishing to apply for Atlantian Citizenship can complete and submit our online application form or submit a printed version of the same form by post.
How can I get an Atlantian Passport?
You can’t. The Empire of Atlantium advocates the unrestricted world-wide free movement of peoples, and therefore does not issue passports, visas or any other form of restrictive travel documentation.
Does Atlantian Citizenship entitle me to live or work in Australia, the USA or Europe?
No. Atlantium does not maintain an immigration or relocation programme on behalf of any territorial nation-state.
If I become a Citizen of Atlantium, can the government provide me with a reference if I wish to apply for residence in Australia, the USA or Europe?
No. Officers of the Imperial Administration are not authorised to provide personal references to Citizens seeking legal entry to territorial nation-states.
How can I arrange to visit Atlantium?
Atlantium is a primarily non-territorial global sovereign state. It therefore does not maintain any substantial territorial claims. At the present time the only Atlantian territory that may be visited is its administrative office and the official residence of the Emperor - the Imperium Proper - located in Sydney, Australia. Visits to the Imperium Proper can be made only by prior arrangement with the Office of the Emperor, which may be contacted by email
[email protected] or phone +61 (0)404 033 759
What can I do as a Citizen of Atlantium?
Almost anything!
Atlantium is the world's leading primarily non-territorial sovereignty, and opportunities for participation are essentially unlimited.
Participation in the public administration of the Empire is encouraged. Citizens may join the Imperial Senate via election or appointment, be appointed to the Judicature or function in diplomatic or protocol roles. Citizens may also explore business or trade opportunities, promote open discussions or debate policy positions, or provide practical, material or in-kind support as their level of motivation and circumstances allow.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For further information about the Empire of Atlantium, contact us by email.
