EMPIRE OF ATLANTIUM

'Empire of Atlantium'

Flag Flag	Seal Seal
Motto: ''E Tenebris Lux'' (English: ''Out of Darkness, Light'') Musical Anthem: ''Auroran Hymn'', by Camille Saint Saens
'Type of entity:'	Micronation
'Location:'	Sydney, Australia
'Area claimed:'	n/a
'Membership:'	831 (2004)
'Date of foundation:'	27 November 1981
'Leadership:'	Emperor George II (George Francis Cruickshank ) 1981-
'Purported organisational structure:'	Elective constitutional monarchy
'Language:'	Latin and English
'Purported currency:'	Imperial Solidus

The 'Empire of Atlantium', based in Sydney, Australia, claims to be a progressive political advocacy group promoting the idea of world government, "non-territorial sovereignty" and a hybrid monarchist-republican form of government. External observers have referred to it as a micronation, although the group does not identify itself as such.
In the entry on Atlantium published in a 2006 travel guide, it is described as “a refereshing antidote to the reactionary self-aggrandisement of so many micronations”, and “an extremely sophisticated nation-state experiment, as well as an entirely serious claimant to legitimate statehood”. The entry notes Atlantium’s espousal of “progressive, liberal policies” and characterizes it as a “secular humanist utopia”. ^[1]
The Atlantium website uses several different self-descriptions, including "self-declared state", "aspirant microstate" and "global sovereign state" ^[2]. The earliest documented media report referring to Atlantium is a 1984 philatelic magazine article ^[3] about their cinderella stamp releases.
Atlantium was established in 1981 by three Sydney teenagers - George Francis Cruickshank, Geoffrey John Duggan and Claire Marie Duggan. Cruickshank (born 1966) was declared "Sovereign Head of State", and assumed the title "Emperor George II".
Geoffrey Duggan (1982-1986), Damian Scott (1986-1988), and Kevin Fanucchi (1988-1990) served as elected "prime ministers", but by 1990, when the original group members had graduated from university and moved to different locations, the group ceased to be active.
In 1999 Cruickshank purchased an apartment in the inner Sydney suburb of Potts Point, and soon after revived the "Empire", launching a website, which was instrumental in attracting new members.
As of August 2004, the group claimed to have 831 "citizens", in over 60 countries. It is not clear how many members might be considered "active". The website names just over 20 individuals holding such functions as minister, director, magister and imperial legate.
Among the causes Atlantium is on record as supporting are the right to unrestricted international freedom of movement, the right to abortion, the right to assisted suicide and decimal calendar reform.
In line with its claim to be a "non-territorial" state Atlantium does not maintain any formal territorial claims; however, it does promote the idea that Cruickshank's 61 m² apartment, which serves as its headquarters, has a status similar to that of a consulate or embassy; in practice the property remains under Australian jurisdiction.

No established nation has recognised Atlantium's sovereignty claims, and it has no reciprocal diplomatic relations, but instead appoints "unaccredited diplomatic representatives" called "Imperial Legates" to serve its interests and support its citizens in various parts of the world ^[4]
.
Atlantium says its citizenship does not supersede previously existing citizenships. Atlantians contend that they are all dual-citizens, and that Atlantium actively encourages its members to participate in the political processes of their resident countries.
While the group uses the words "citizenship" and "diplomatic" idiosyncratically, supporters note that Atlantium has made no secret of its attempts at redefining existing paradigms, and claim that doing so is a fundamental motivation for the group's existence.
The group has awarded "Imperial Honours" to recipients in various parts of the world - generally in recognition of political activism or for service to local communities ^[5].
It also mints and sells coins ^[6] and banknotes denominated in "Solidi". The website claims that the profits from those sales are used for "the Empire's ongoing operations" as well as charitable causes,^[7] though there is no verifiable accounting of that.

Contents

Notes

References

External links

Notes

1. Micronations, John Ryan, George Dunford & Simon Sellars, , , Lonely Planet Publications, , ISBN 1-74104-730-7
2. Empire of Atlantium
3. Atlantium Empire
4. The Empire of Atlantium
5. Imperial News Service
6. The Empire Strikes a Coin

7. Frequently Asked Questions

References

★ Micronations, John Ryan, George Dunford & Simon Sellars, , , Lonely Planet Publications, , ISBN 1-74104-730-7

★ The Empire of Atlantium

★

★ Mini-states Down Under are sure they can secede

★ If at first you don't secede...

★ Unusual World Coins, Colin R Bruce, , , Krause Publications, , ISBN 0-87349-793-7

★ His Majesty George II: The boy from Hurstville who now rules a big flat

★ Micronations

★ The Empire Strikes a Coin

★ Passport to Pimlico — Aussie style

★ The national madness of King George

★ Cea mai mica tara este intr-un apartment

★ Atlantium Empire

★ Worldwide Stamp Identifier: Bogus Issues

External links

★ Official website

★ Atlantium Paper Money