Kingdom of Hansland
Kingdom of Hansland Royaume du Hansland (French) | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms
| |
| Motto: None but the Brave deserve the Fair | |
| Anthem: "The Return of the Hanslandic Princes to Ellesmere" | |
 Hans Island from the Greenlandic side | |
 Location of Hans Island in North America | |
| Status | Active |
| Location | Hans Island 80°49′35″N 66°27′30″W / 80.82639°N 66.45833°W |
| Capital | None official |
| Official languages | English, French |
| Recognised regional languages | Danish, Greenlandic, Inuit |
| Ethnic groups (2024) |
|
| Religion (2024) | |
| Demonym(s) | Hanslander - Hanslandic |
| Government | Unitary parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy |
• Monarch | Carl I |
• Prime Minister | Dionne Anderson |
| Legislature | Parliament |
| House of Peers | |
| House of Commons | |
| Independence | |
• Declared | 10 October 2020 |
• Current constitution | 14 September 2024 |
| Area | |
• Total | 1.3 km2 (0.50 sq mi) |
| Population | |
• 2024 census | Uninhabited |
| Membership | 11 |
| HDI |  0.930very high |
| Currency | Hanslandic dollar ($) |
| Time zone | UTC+00:00 to UTC-04:00 |
| Date format | mm/dd/yyyy |
| Driving side | right |
| Calling code | +1 |
| Internet TLD | .ca |
Website TBD | |
Hansland (// (
listen), officially the Kingdom of Hansland (French: Royaume du Hansland), is an Arctic micronation that claims Hans Island as its sovereign territory. Located in the center of the Kennedy Channel between Ellesmere Island and Greenland, Hans Island was the subject of a long-running territorial dispute between Canada and Denmark when Canadian micronationalist Carl Ó Gairbhith claimed the island as his own and established Hansland in 2020. Canada and Denmark finally resolved their dispute in 2022 by dividing the island between their two nations, but the Hanslandic government rejects this agreement, arguing that they were never given an opportunity to participate in the negotiation process.[1]
Hansland is governed under a constitutional monarchy with Carl reigning as its King and head of state. Since Hans Island is uninhabited and difficult to access due to its remote location, Hansland's administration functions as a government-in-exile based in Vancouver, Canada. The Prime Minister of Hansland is the country's head of government and presides over its parliamentary-style legislature. There are currently 11 Hanslandic citizens that make up a tiny diaspora in Canada and the United States.
Hansland has not been recognized by the United Nations or the government of any of its member states, but cites the declarative theory of statehood, outlined in the 1933 Montevideo Convention, as legal justification for its right to self-determination since it meets all of the criteria to be considered a sovereign nation.[a] It dedicates significant efforts towards environmental concerns such as climate change and Arctic sea ice decline, as well as advocating for an end to what its government lightheartedly refers to as "the foreign occupation" of Hans Island.
Etymology
Hansland is derived from Hans Island which is itself named after Hans Hendrick, a Greenlandic explorer and translator who worked on several American and British Arctic expeditions from 1853 to 1876. Hanslandic subjects are commonly known as Hanslanders.
History
The Kingdom of Hansland was established by Carl Ó Gairbhith on 10 October 2020. The idea of claiming Hans Island initially came to Ó Gairbhith during a 2019 visit to Grise Fiord on nearby Ellesmere Island, Canada's northernmost inhabited region. He proclaimed himself King Carl I, and the new kingdom publicly declared its sovereignty over the long-disputed island. It justified its claim by accusing Canada and Denmark of political brinkmanship by allowing their territorial disagreement (known as the Whisky War) to continue for decades without any concrete steps towards a viable solution. While initially a hobby political project, Hansland later grew into a more serious organization focused on establishing diplomatic relations with other micronations and independence movements. The COVID-19 pandemic caused delays in the micronation's development, and it ultimately fell into a lengthy decline by the end of 2021.
On 14 June 2022, an agreement was signed between Canadian foreign affairs minister Mélanie Joly, Danish foreign affairs minister Jeppe Kofod, and the prime minister of Greenland Múte Bourup Egede to divide Hans Island between Canada and Denmark along its natural fault line. Upon hearing this news, the Hanslandic government sent letters of protest to the negotiating parties to assert its previously declared ownership of the island. These protests were ignored by both the Canadian and Danish governments. These developments spurred new activity in the kingdom and it began to experience rapid growth by early 2024, the start of a period that is referred to as the "Ó Gairbhith Restoration."
Although many aspects of Hansland are intentionally tongue-in-cheek, it has nevertheless succeeded in creating its own national symbols and anthem, as well as printing and circulating its own currency. It regularly issues passports, although these documents are not officially recognized and none of its citizens or government officials have any plans to visit the isolated Arctic island anytime in the foreseeable future.
Politics and government
The Government of Hansland is a Westminster-style parliamentary democracy comprised of the King, the Prime Minister, and a bicameral parliament. Through various ministries, it claims jurisdiction over Hans Island proper as well as the wider Hanslandic Realm which consists of Hansland's Canadian-based embassies and the personal residence of the Royal Family. Hanslandic politics are typically described as moderate by outside observers, with the nation having a strong tradition of economic and social liberalism. Hansland's political system is notably non-partisan, with no active political parties currently operating within the micronation due to its small and widely scattered population.
Monarch
Carl I is the country's reigning sovereign and head of state. The Constitution of Hansland describes the king as the symbol of the Hanslandic state and the physical embodiment of the unity of its people. Hansland's semi-constitutional monarchy is based on the Prusso-German model, in which the monarch is an active ruler and wields considerable political power over domestic and foreign policy. Under Hanslandic law, the king rules by divine right and shares executive power with the legislature on behalf of the state and his subjects.
The king has veto power, the authority to appoint and dismiss government ministers and judges, as well as the ability to call or dismiss referendums. The king is immune from prosecution by the Supreme Court of Hansland. Eligibility to inherit the throne is hereditary and limited to members of the ruling House of Ó Gairbhith. The Monarchy of Hansland practices absolute primogeniture, with the monarch's first born child becoming heir apparent regardless of sex.
Prime Minister
The Prime Minister of Hansland is the head of government of the Hanslandic state. Dionne Anderson is the country's first and current prime minster, having won Hansland's inaugural national election in 2020. The prime minister governs with the confidence of the elected House of Commons and typically leads the largest political party or coalition of parties in the nation's parliament. There is no fixed term limit, as the prime minister governs at His Majesty's pleasure. The office of prime minister is the second most powerful position in the Kingdom of Hansland, second only to that of the monarch.
Parliament
Hansland's parliament is a bicameral legislature composed of a lower house, the House of Commons, and an upper house, the House of Peers. Despite being the lower house, the House of Commons is actually the dominant of the two, with the House of Peers rarely opposing its will. The main purpose of parliament is to debate and then vote upon proposed bills to be granted Royal assent before being formally passed into law.
House of Peers
The House of Peers is the upper house of parliament, made up of members of the Hanslandic peerage, which acts as a counterweight to the popularly elected House of Commons. Upon the establishment of the kingdom in 2020, Carl I created an aristocracy consisting of the noble ranks of duke, Marquess, count, viscount, and baron. These noble titles are conferred on hereditary and life peers alike, both of whom are eligible to be appointed to the House of Peers by the reigning monarch. In a similar fashion to the Canadian Senate, the house serves as a "chamber of sober second thought" to review legislation introduced in the House of Commons. Members are entitled to serve for life if they choose to do so, with no term limits or mandatory retirement age.
House of Commons
Hansland's legislature is an example of "imperfect bicameralism", in which the democratically elected House of Commons has the power to overrule the appointed House of Peers. Its members are known as Members of Parliament (MPs) and eligibility to run for office is open to both commoners and nobility, with all MPs sitting as independents. Renewable term limits are fixed at four years and candidates for the office of prime minister must serve at least one term as an MP according to Hansland's constitution. While the House of Commons normally takes priority over the House of Peers, the approval of both houses is usually required for bills to be passed into law.
Law and order
The Constitution of Hansland is the supreme law of the land, and is comprised of both written legislation and unwritten conventions. Its foundation lie in both English common law as well as the French civil law system. The Supreme Court of Hansland handles all "micronational offenses" that may arise from its civilian population and relies on the Hanslandic National Police to enforce its laws across all territories of the Hanslandic Realm.
Hansland also follows the concept of macronational privilege regarding Canadian and Danish laws that may apply to each half of occupied Hans Island, should the Hanslandic government ever stage a formal visit to the island. Its citizens are required to follow Canadian laws while residing in all of the kingdom's outlying territories.
Military
The unified military forces of Hansland are known as the Hanslandic Armed Forces (HAF). The HAF includes land, sea, and air commands, referred to as the Hanslandic Army, Royal Hanslandic Navy, and Royal Hanslandic Air Force. As a micronational military, the HAF is small and has limited capabilities. It describes itself as a ceremonial guard that is dedicated to environmental protection, arctic exploration, and scientific research rather than actual combat.
Hansland considers itself an aspiring maritime power within the micronational sphere of influence, and as such, focuses most of its defense spending on its navy. The HAF is an exclusively volunteer force made up of professional soldiers, sailors, and airmen, as opposed to using conscription.
Ministries
The Hanslandic Ministry, commonly known as a Cabinet, has several ministerial advisors that set the government's policies and priorities for the country. The primary government ministers include:
- Minister of State
- Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations
- Minister of Foreign Relations
- Minister of Defense
- Minister of Health
- Minister of the Treasury
- Minister of Justice
- Minister of the Environment
- Minister of Development
Foreign relations
The Government of Hansland has yet to be acknowledged by the government of any internationally-recognized state. It has made numerous attempts to open dialogue with both the Canadian and Danish governments to discuss its claims to Hans Island, but to date, these overtures have not received a formal reply. Hansland also focuses its efforts on establishing diplomatic recognition with other micronations and is a signatory to several treaties within the micronational community. Hansland currently recognizes the sovereignty of over 200 nations worldwide.
Unilateral recognition
Mutual recognition
Geography and climate
Hans Island is approximately 1.3 km2 in size and is barren, lacking any discernible flora or fauna. It has a tundra climate and an ice cap climate with the temperature being cold year-round. The island is surrounded by sea ice for most of the year, except a brief period during the summer months, which makes navigation to and around the island extremely difficult. Past visits to Hans Island by Canadian and Danish officials and military personnel have been carried out by use of helicopter.
Beyond Hans Island itself, there is also the Hanslandic Realm, which is comprised of all territories over which the King of Hansland is head of state. These territories include Hansland's embassies and personal residence of the Royal Family, located in the Canadian cities of Vancouver and West Vancouver respectively, as well as other small territorial possessions.
| Climate data for Hans Island | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 0.0 (32) |
1.1 (34) |
-2.2 (28) |
-2.4 (27.7) |
10.0 (50) |
18.8 (65.8) |
21.0 (69.8) |
19.5 (67.1) |
11.2 (52.2) |
5.3 (41.5) |
0.6 (33.1) |
3.2 (37.8) |
21.0 (69.8) |
| Average high °C (°F) | -27.0 (-16.6) |
-27.6 (-17.7) |
-27.1 (-16.8) |
-19.4 (-2.9) |
-8.2 (17.2) |
2.4 (36.3) |
6.8 (44.2) |
3.8 (38.8) |
-5.1 (22.8) |
-13.6 (7.5) |
-20.4 (-4.7) |
-24.3 (-11.7) |
−13.3 (8.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | -30.7 (-23.3) |
-31.4 (-24.5) |
-31.0 (-23.8) |
-23.3 (-9.9) |
-11.1 (12) |
0.1 (32.2) |
3.9 (39) |
1.2 (34.2) |
-8.0 (17.6) |
-17.2 (1) |
-24.1 (-11.4) |
-28.1 (-18.6) |
−16.7 (1.9) |
| Average low °C (°F) | -34.4 (-29.9) |
-35.2 (-31.4) |
-34.9 (-30.8) |
-27.0 (-16.6) |
-14.0 (6.8) |
-2.3 (27.9) |
1.0 (33.8) |
-1.4 (29.5) |
-10.9 (12.4) |
-20.7 (-5.3) |
-27.8 (-18) |
-31.9 (-25.4) |
−20.0 (−4) |
| Record low °C (°F) | -48.9 (-56) |
-50.0 (-58) |
-49.4 (-56.9) |
-45.6 (-50.1) |
-29.0 (-20.2) |
-14.3 (6.3) |
-6.3 (20.7) |
-15.0 (5) |
-28.2 (-18.8) |
-39.4 (-38.9) |
-43.5 (-46.3) |
-46.1 (-51) |
−50.0 (−58) |
| Average Precipitation mm (inches) | 10.5 (0.413) |
7.3 (0.287) |
10.3 (0.406) |
11.5 (0.453) |
11.6 (0.457) |
11.1 (0.437) |
21.5 (0.846) |
18.4 (0.724) |
17.8 (0.701) |
12.1 (0.476) |
11.5 (0.453) |
8.5 (0.335) |
152.0 (5.984) |
| Source: Environment Canada[2] | |||||||||||||
Administrative regions
The Hanslandic Realm refers to the total area over which the monarch of Hansland is head of state. It has four administrative divisions: Hans Island, the Hanslandic Embassy to Canada, the Hanslandic Embassy to Denmark, and Ó Gairbhith Castle, the private residence of the reigning sovereign. There are also numerous smaller land claims scattered across Canada and the United States which are the private property of Hanslandic citizens. The relationship between these various territories is called the "Unity of the Realm."
| Flag | Arms | Name | Area | Population | Officials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Hanslandic Realm
| |||||
|
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Hans Island | 1.3 km2 | 0 | King Carl I |
|
|
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Hanslandic Embassy to Canada | 0.1 km2 | 2 | Countess Dionne Anderson |
|
|
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Hanslandic Embassy to Denmark | N/A | 1 | Count Josh Baker |
|
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Ó Gairbhith Castle | N/A | 5 | King Carl I |
Economy
The uninhabited Hans Island as virtually no economy to speak of. However, a small market economy exists within the wider Realm. Its exports are mostly limited to the sale of Hansland-themed merchandise like postcards, medals, and honorary passports. The kingdom is entirely reliant on its much larger Canadian neighbor for the importation of essential goods and services, as well as the supply of electricity, water and other basic utilities. The Bank Hansland prints and circulates the Hanlandic dollar, its official currency, although it lacks any monetary value and is only used to trade goods between Hanslandic citizens.
Demographics
There are no Hanslandic subjects currently residing on Hans Island proper, with no future plans to formally colonize the island due to its uninhabitable conditions and complex geopolitical situation. The Hanslandic Realm has a total population of 11, with its largest diaspora residing in its Canadian-based territories. Citizenship is typically granted to family and friends of existing subjects although the kingdom has announced plans to develop an official citizenship application process in the near future. Most Hanslanders identify as having European ancestry with a smaller minority claiming Inuit and Coast Salish ethnicity. The national gender ratio is 7 females to 4 males, with a median age of 27 years.
| Country | No. of citizens |
|---|---|
 Canada
|
8 |
 Northern Ireland
|
2 |
 United States
|
1 |
Languages
English is the lingua franca of the kingdom and is spoken by 100% of its residents. Like Canada, Hansland is a bilingual country with English and French as its dual official languages. Danish, Greenlandic, and Inuit are recognized regional languages and have protected status from the Hanslandic government.
Culture
Hansland is an environmentally-focused micronation with a flair for theatrics, inspired by the likes of Flandrensis and Westarctica. Hanslandic national identity has been greatly influenced by environmental concerns in the Arctic region and its efforts are focused on spreading awareness about Arctic climate change, Arctic Ocean pollution and the impact these issues have on the local Indigenous population.
Elements of Canadian, Danish, and Inuit culture can all be found in Hanslandic art, cuisine, music, and national symbolism. Historical influences from the British Empire and Royal France are also prevalent, specifically in Hansland's heraldry and national symbols. Rustic cooking is common among Hanslanders from all walks of life, with Baeckeoffe, chili, and the national dish, Irish stew, being popular options.
National symbols
Hansland has a variety of national symbols that reflect its unique identity and culture. Prominent symbols include its flag, coat of arms, and national anthem.
Flag
Hansland's national flag is a blue and white Canadian pale with a white circle at its center. The circle symbolizes Hans Island in the middle of the Kennedy Channel (blue) with the white bands on either side symbolizing Ellesmere Island (left) and Greenland (right). The flag is constitutionally required to have a ratio of 1:2, although a 2:3 ratio is sometimes used for unofficial purposes. It is the kingdom's most recognizable symbol and is flown by both government agencies and private civilians alike. There is also the Royal Standard, which is the banner of arms of the Hanslandic monarch. It consists of the coat of arms in flag form, and is flown from any car, ship, or aircraft the king is traveling in, and from any building he is visiting. The banner is never flown at half-mast, as there is always a sovereign on the throne.
Coat of arms
The coat of arms is an escutcheon, divided quarterly, with symbolism representing the five common languages of Hansland (clockwise):
- Gules, a lion passant guardant in pale Or, langued and armed Azure (English).
- Or, a lion passant in pale Azure, langued Gules and armed Or (Danish).
- Azure, a polar bear rampant Argent (Greenlandic).
- Or, an inuksuk Azure (Inuit).
- Overall, a fleur-de-lis Argent and Azure (French).
The escutcheon is surrounded by the collar of the Order of the Arctic Rock, Hanslands most noble order of chivalry, and topped with the Royal Crown of Hansland. There are also "lesser" and "greater" variations of the coat of arms, with the greater version being reserved for the King and Royal Family.
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Lesser arms
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Middle arms
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Greater arms
National anthem
"The Return of the Hanslandic Princes to Ellesmere" is the national anthem of Hansland. It is heavily based upon Le Retour des Princes français à Paris (The Return of the French Princes to Paris), which was the de facto national anthem of France during the Bourbon Restoration. It employs the same melody, itself originally borrowed from Vive Henri IV, and uses an adapted version of its lyrics. While the anthem is intentionally theatrical in a comedic fashion, it has nonetheless become a prominent symbol of Hanslandic pride and determination to achieve real sovereignty over Hans Island. The title reflects King Carl's 2019 journey to Ellesmere Island and his vow to someday return and lead an expedition to Hans Island in person.
Holidays
There are several public holidays celebrated in Hansland, many of which are "shared holidays" with Canada. The most widely celebrated holiday is Hansland Day on the 10th of October each year, commemorating the establishment of the Hanslandic state in 2020.
| Date | Name | Remarks |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Celebrates the start of the new year. |
| Third Monday in February | Family Day | Shared statutory holiday with British Columbia. |
| 8 March | International Women's Day | Celebrates the women's rights movement and universal female suffrage. |
| Between 20 March and 23 April | Good Friday | Commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus, on the Friday before Easter. |
| 2 June | Hans Hendrik Day | Celebrates the birth of Hans Hendrik, Hans Island's namesake. |
| 15 July | King's Birthday | Celebrates the birthday of the monarch (does not correspond with the date of the monarch's actual birth). |
| 30 September | National Day for Truth and Reconciliation | Recognizes the multi-generational effect of the Canadian Indian residential school system on Indigenous peoples. |
| 10 October | Hansland Day | Celebrates the establishment of the Kingdom of Hansland. |
| 11 November | Remembrance Day | Memorial holiday shared with Canada. Honors Canada's war dead. Anniversary of the armistice ending World War I in 1918. |
| 25 December | Christmas Day | Commemoration of the birth of Jesus of Nazareth. |
See also
Notes
- ↑ The Declarative Theory of Statehood defines a state as a person in international law if it meets the following criteria: 1) a defined territory; 2) a permanent population; 3) a government and 4) a capacity to enter into relations with other states.
References
- ↑ "Canada and Denmark sign deal to divide uninhabited Arctic island" cbc.ca
- ↑ Environment Canada—Canadian Climate Normals 1971–2000, accessed July 5, 2012