Seborga is a small town, and self-proclaimed principality, located in the flowery back hills of Liguria in north west Italy, near the French border and the sovereign principality of Monaco. The main economic activities are horticulture and tourism. Main street in Bastrop, Texas, a small town A town is a residential community of people ranging from a few hundred to several thousands, although it may be applied loosely even to huge metropolitan areas. ... A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a Monarch with the title of prince or princess (a synonym is princedom) or (in the widest sense) a Monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince. ... Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. ...

History

Unlike most micronations, Seborga does have an undisputed past as a feudal state, albeit not as a hereditary principality, but an ecclesiastic one which clearly no longer exists. In 954 its territory was ceded by the counts of Ventimiglia to the monks of Lerino, when the Cistercian monastery was founded. In 1079 its abbots were also made Princes of the Holy Roman Empire, temporally in chief of the principality of Seborga. The campanile of the cathedral rises above Ventimiglia. ... The Order of Cistercians (OCist) (Latin Cistercenses), otherwise Gimey or White Monks (from the colour of the habit, over which is worn a black scapular or apron) are a Catholic order of monks. ... The extent of the Holy Roman Empire in c. ...

On 20 January 1729, however, it was annexed to the Savoy dynasty's Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. Since then it has never been recognized by any state or admitted to an international organisation. January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events July 30 - Baltimore, Maryland is founded. ... The House of Savoy or in Italian, La Casa di Savoia, or simply Casa Savoia, (or Savoie, French) is a dynasty of nobles who traditionally had their domain in Savoy, a region that includes present-day Piemonte, other parts of Northern Italy, and a smaller region in France. ... Kingdom of Sardinia, in 1839: Mainland Piedmont, with Savoia upper left (pink) and Nizza (Nice) lower left (brown) both now French, and Sardinia in the inset The Kingdom of Sardinia is a former kingdom in Italy. ...

In the early 1960s, Giorgio Carbone, head of the local flower-growers co-operative, began promoting the idea that Seborga retained its historic independence as a principality, which also calls itself 'the principality of the flowers'. By 1963 the people of Seborga were convinced of these arguments and elected Carbone as their Head of State. Henceforth he was to be known as Giorgio I, Prince of Seborga. Prince Giorgio is known locally as 'Sua Tremendità' ('Your Tremendousness' or 'Your Terrificness'). A cooperative (also co-operative or co-op) comprises a legal entity owned and democratically controlled by its members, with no passive shareholders. ... A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a Monarch with the title of prince or princess (a synonym is princedom) or (in the widest sense) a Monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince. ... In the early 1960s the head of the local flower-growers co-operative, Giorgio Carbone, began promoting the idea that Seborga retained its historic independence as a principality. ...

Status

Coat of arms of the Principality of Seborga

These facts do not imply that Seborga is indeed a principality. Some consider these claims as a form of folklore and the Republic of Italy considers and treats Seborga (unlike San Marino or Vatican City State, also enclaved in the peninsula) as an integral part of its own territory. Image File history File links Seborgacoa. ... Image File history File links Seborgacoa. ... Folklore is the body of expressive culture, including tales, music, dance, legends, oral history, proverbs, jokes, popular beliefs, customs, material culture, and so forth within a particular population comprising the traditions (including oral traditions) of that culture, subculture, or group. ... The State of the City of the Vatican or the Vatican City (Latin: Status Civitatis Vaticanae, Italian Stato della Città del Vaticano) is the smallest independent state in the world (both in area and in population), a landlocked enclave surrounded by the city of Rome in Italy. ...

Palace of the government [Photo: RP]

The argument for Seborga's independent status is that Seborga was an independent Principality until January 20, 1729, when it was sold to Victor Amadeus II, Prince of Piedmont and King of Sardinia. However, it appears the sale was never registered by the Kingdom of Sardinia, letting Seborga fall in a kind of twilight zone. Subsequently, in 1815, the Congress of Vienna overlooked the village in its efforts to redistribute European territories after the Napoleonic Wars, and there is no mention of Seborga in the Act of Unification of Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 360 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (481 × 800 pixel, file size: 126 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)photographed by Rolf Palmberg I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 360 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (481 × 800 pixel, file size: 126 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg)photographed by Rolf Palmberg I, the creator of this work, hereby grant the permission to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under... A principality is a monarchical feudatory or sovereign state, ruled or reigned over by a Monarch with the title of prince or princess (a synonym is princedom) or (in the widest sense) a Monarch with another title within the generic use of the term prince. ... January 20 is the 20th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... Events July 30 - Baltimore, Maryland is founded. ... ... Piedmont (Italian: Piemonte) is a region of northwestern Italy. ... Sardinia (pronounced ; Italian: Sardegna; Sardinian: Sardigna or Sardinna) is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean Sea (after Sicily). ... April 5-12: Mount Tambora explodes, changing climate. ... The Congress of Vienna by Jean-Baptiste Isabey, 1819. ... Combatants Allies: Austrian Empire[1] Kingdom of Portugal Kingdom of Prussia[1] Russian Empire[2] Kingdom of Spain[3] Kingdom of Sweden United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland[4] French Empire - Kingdom of Holland - Kingdom of Italy - Kingdom of Naples - Duchy of Warsaw - Kingdom of Bavaria[5] - Kingdom of... 1861 (MDCCCLXI) was a common year starting on Tuesday (link with display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Thursday of the Julian calendar) // January 1 - Benito Juárez captures Mexico City January 2 - Friedrich Wilhelm IV of Prussia dies and is succeeded by...

Whatever the validity of these claims, it is worth noting that the establishment of statehood doesn't rely only on formal acts. When the princely abbacy ceased to exist, Seborga, if not bought by Piedmont-Sardinia, would have reverted to Ventimiglia (which since 1139 was subordinate to Genoa) or else become terra nullius. The new state of Italy thus either inherited Seborga, as successor state to both Genoa and Piedmont-Sardinia, or annexed it. Seborga thus became an ordinary Italian commune, as the democratically elected mayor explicitly acknowledges. A state is a set of institutions that possess the authority to make the rules that govern the people in one or more societies, having internal and external sovereignty over a definite territory. ... Genoa (Genova in Italian - Zena in Genoese) is a city and a seaport in northern Italy, the capital of the Province of Genoa and of the region of Liguria. ... Terra nullius (English pronunciation , Latin pronunciation [[IPA]])is a Latin expression deriving from Roman Law meaning no mans land or, literally, empty land. // Rationale As in Antiquity peace was considered an exceptional condition between states, only established by peace treaty, war being their natural rapport, any territory that was...

Moreover, there is no tension between the "Principality" of Seborga and the Italian government. Law enforcement, public health, telecommunications, school services and all other public services are provided as in the rest of Italy. Seborgans regularly pay taxes, participate in the Italian administrative life, and vote in local and national (Italian) elections. For instance, in the elections of the Senate in 2001 the voter turnout was 84.21%. The Italian Senate (Italian: Senato della Repubblica, Senate of the Republic) is the upper house of the Parliament of Italy. ... 2001 (MMI) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Recent events

On 23 April 1995 in an informal referendum (which was never recognized by Italy and that was illegal under Italian law^{[citation needed]}), Seborgans voted 304 in favour, 4 against, for the Principality's constitution and its general rule and in favour of 'independence' from Italy. April 23 is the 113th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (114th in leap years). ... 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ballots of the Argentine plebiscite of 1984 on the border treaty with Chile A referendum (plural: referendums or referenda) or plebiscite (from Latin plebiscita, originally a decree of the Concilium Plebis) is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. ...

In June 2006 a power struggle arose when Princess Yasmine von Hohenstaufen Anjou Plantagenet, who claims to be the rightful heir to the throne of Seborga, wrote to Italy's president offering to return the principality to the state. [1] For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Contrasting with heir presumptive, an heir apparent is one who cannot be prevented from inheriting by the birth of any other person. ... President is a title held by many leaders of organizations, companies, trade unions, universities, and countries. ...

Economy, folklore and tourism

Thanks to the publicity as a principality, tourism expanded. The principality's historic town centre was also restored, ensuring that its charms were protected from commercial overdevelopment.

A local currency, the luigino, was issued from 1994 to 1996. The Luigino is accepted inside the city (along with the legal currency, the Euro, and before that both Italian Lira and French Franc); it is recognized by the International Bank, but without legal value outside the town. Some claim that the Italian government did not welcome this initiative. It is not clear what is the total amount of Luigini issued. Luigino is a currency issued from 1994 to 1996 in Seborga, an Italian city which claims to be an independent principality. ... For other uses, see Euro (disambiguation) or EUR (disambiguation). ...

Stamps are also issued. The stamps have only a philatelic value, since the only post office is the Italian one. Close examination of the Penny Red, left, reveals a 148 in the margin, indicating that it was printed with plate #148. ... Small-town post office and town hall in Lockhart, Alabama A post office is a facility (in most countries, a government one) where the public can purchase postage stamps for mailing correspondence or merchandise, and also drop off or pick up packages or other special-delivery items. ...

The tourist office currently issues a Tourist Passport, which is basically a mere novelty and is not a recognised document valid for crossing international boundaries.

See also

• Tavolara
• List of extinct states
• Micronation

Tavolara Island. ... This page attempts to list the many extinct states, countries, nations, lands or territories that have ceased to exist as political entities, grouped geographically and by constitutional nature. ... The micronation of Sealand A micronation – sometimes also referred to as a cybernation, fantasy country, model country, and new country project – is any entity that resembles independent nations or states but is unrecognized by them, and for the most part exist only on paper, on the Internet, or in the...

Sources and External links

• WorldStatesmen
• http://www.masterweb.it/seborga/ Supporting the argument for independence
• http://www.seborganelmondo.org official website of city of Seborga
• http://www.seborga.homeip.net/ Official website of the Seborgan Government
• http://www.imperial-collection.net/seborga03.html On the Luigino
• http://seborgatimes.blogspot.com The Seborga Times

Liguria · Comuni in the Province of Imperia

Airole | Apricale | Aquila di Arroscia | Armo | Aurigo | Badalucco | Bajardo | Bordighera | Borghetto d'Arroscia | Borgomaro | Camporosso | Caravonica | Carpasio | Castellaro | Castelvittorio | Ceriana | Cervo | Cesio | Chiusanico | Chiusavecchia | Cipressa | Civezza | Costarainera | Diano Arentino | Diano Castello | Diano Marina | Diano San Pietro | Dolceacqua | Dolcedo | Imperia | Isolabona | Lucinasco | Mendatica | Molini di Triora | Montalto Ligure | Montegrosso Pian Latte | Olivetta San Michele | Ospedaletti | Perinaldo | Pietrabruna | Pieve di Teco | Pigna | Pompeiana | Pontedassio | Pornassio | Prelà | Ranzo | Rezzo | Riva Ligure | Rocchetta Nervina | San Bartolomeo al Mare | San Biagio della Cima | San Lorenzo al Mare | Sanremo | Santo Stefano al Mare | Seborga | Soldano | Cosio di Arroscia | Taggia | Terzorio | Triora | Vallebona | Vallecrosia | Vasia | Ventimiglia | Vessalico | Villa Faraldi

Coordinates: 43°49′N 7°41′E Luigino is a currency issued from 1994 to 1996 in Seborga, an Italian city which claims to be an independent principality. ... Image File history File links Provincia_di_Imperia-Stemma. ... Liguria is a coastal region of north-western Italy, the third smallest of the Italian regions. ... In Italy, the comune, (plural comuni) is the basic administrative unit of both provinces and regions, and may be properly approximated in casual speech by the English word township or municipality. ... Imperia (It. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 149 m Area 14. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 19. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 680 m Area 10. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 9. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 9. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 15. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 24. ... Bordighera is a town on the Italian Riviera in the Province of Imperia, Liguria. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 155 m Area 25. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 23. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 17. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 4. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 16. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 8. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 25. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 369 m Area 32. ... Picturesque ancient town of the Italian Riviera in the province of Imperia, 1,300 inhabitants. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 8. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 380 m Area 13. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 3. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 9. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 3. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 2. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 8. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 6. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 6. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 11. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 20. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 19. ... Imperia is a city and comune in the region of Liguria, Italy. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 12. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 8. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 30. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 57. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 13. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 721 m Area 10. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 13. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 5. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 572 m Area 21. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 9. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 40. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 280 m Area 53. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 200 m Area 5. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 14. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 27. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 15. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 11. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 37. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 2. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 15. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 10. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 4. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 1. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Imperia (IM) Mayor Claudio Borea Elevation 15 m Area 54 km² Population  - Total (as of 2004) 56,903  - Density 936/km² Time zone CET, UTC+1 Coordinates Gentilic Sanremesi or Sanremaschi Dialing code 0184 Postal code 18038 Frazioni San Romolo, Poggio, Bussana, Bussana Vecchia, Coldirodi... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 2. ... Soldano is a town and commune in the province of Imperia, Liguria (Italy). ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 721 m Area 40. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 39 m Area 30. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 185 m Area 1. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 780 m Area 68. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 6. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 3. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation 385 m Area 10. ... The campanile of the cathedral rises above Ventimiglia. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 10. ... Country Italy Region Liguria Province Province of Imperia (IM) Mayor Elevation m Area 9. ... Map of Earth showing lines of latitude (horizontally) and longitude (vertically), Eckert VI projection; large version (pdf, 1. ...