Principality of Pigeon Island
Principality of Pigeon Island Furstendömet Duvön (Swedish) | |
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 Flag
 Coat of arms
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| Motto: Erövra och regera (Swedish: Conquer and reign) | |
| Anthem: Hissa flaggan högt! | |
 A map of Pigeon Island (green) in Sweden (grey). | |
| Official languages | Swedish |
| Demonym(s) |
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| Government | Diarchy |
• Prince | Sylvester |
• Princess | Benedicte |
| Legislature | Princely House |
| Establishment | 3 February 2022 |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.025 km2 (0.0097 sq mi) |
| Currency | Swedish crown (SEK) |
| Time zone | CET |
Pigeon Island (Swedish: Duvön), officially the Principality of Pigeon Island (Swedish: Furstendömet Duvön) is a self-proclaimed Nordic nation (micronation). It is located on a small peninsula in the Swedish province of Hälsingland. The territory of the principality is on 2,5 ha.
Etymology
The island could have been named 'Duvön' after pigeons living on the island. The name 'Duvön' and 'Dufö' exist on maps since the 18th century.
History
Likely around in the late 19th century or early 20th century, the first people started to build their houses on the then island. Erik Andersson och Carolina Andersson was two of them. The people who lived on the island were mostly fishers.
Sometime during the 1950s or 1960s, Pigeon Island was connected with the Swedish mainland by an artificially made peninsula. The northern part of the island was cleared from trees and it still mostly is. The people moved from the island and only the foundations and basements of the houses are left today. In recent years there has been discussions to build wind turbines on the peninsula, but that will likely not happen in the near future.
On 3 February 2022 Princess Benedicte and Prince Sylvester walked across the ice from Sweden and explored the peninsula. As they walked along an animal trail, they found a small pier, several foundations and three basements. They also went to a small cabin that seemed to be built in recent years. Though, this cabin had probably been used by the workers of the factory nearby. On their second exploration they found an old rusty car looking like it was from the 1960s and another basement which later would be called the "Officers Quarters".
On September 6, 2022, the princes of Pigeon Island agreed on dividing the principality into three regions.
Politics
Pigeon Island is a principality and a diarchy. The government currently consists of two members, the Prince and Princess. The peninsula is divided into three regions. Each region will be lead by a regional patron. Due to temporary economical limitations, there is not anyone with the title yet.
The principality was established in honor of the people who lived there and whom were against further expansion of the industrial area, in order to protect the animals that lives on the island. They were also against the possible installation of wind power on the peninsula.
Law
The constitution of the principality consists of five parts: Structure, Acts of the citizen, The territory, Symbols, Other laws.
Geography and climate
The most of the island is densely vegetated by sallow, spruce trees and birch trees. At and around the north border there only grows small trees. The southern coast is mostly covered in reed. The temperature during January lies around -11 °C and 15 °C in July.
It is not possible to reach Pigeon island from land since the peninsula is closed off due to industrial activity in the area. One will have to go by boat or over the ice, in the winter. Because of this, people rarely go there and the peninsula is therefore inhabited by many animals.
Gallery
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A small cabin at the Pigeon Island-Sweden border.
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Northwestern Pigeon Island.
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Old chain frozen in the ground.
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North-east border.
References
1. https://sites.google.com/view/principalityofpigeonisland/home?authuser=1