The Internet is now host to the first sovereign country in cyberspace --
Wirtland, born on August 14, 2008. Its motto: Virtus, non copia vincint, or "Courage, not multitude, wins."
It is not correct to interpret Wirtland as an imaginary virtual world, according to its FAQ page. Wirtland -- the name refers to “virtual land” -- is a real country populated by real people. Only the land itself is wirtual. (Unfortunately, though, actual soil is needed to qualify as a sovereign country recognized by the UN.)
The concept of Wirtland started in August 2008, during the armed conflict between Georgia and Russia. “That was kind of [the] inspiration... to find people who are less happy with governments but don't actively participate in politics,” said Cris Luengo, the country’s co-founder and self-described PR attaché, in a Skype chat from Wirtland.
Don't ask about a business model; there doesn't seem to be one. Luengo maintains that Wirtland is not a commercial project supported by investors. The mission is loftier and more romantic: Luengo says the founding virtual fathers wanted to create "a country that transcends national borders without breaching or lessening the sovereignty of any involved."
The country’s three founders, including a college professor, a designer, and Luengo (who says he is a journalist), are insisting on a very low profile for now. Luengo claims that the main founder, a man he’ll only refer to as “Alex,” has a reputation to protect from any association that may turn negative.
“We, being founders, do not want to really do much regulating and steering in Wirtland. We want to: one, create an elaborated working structure; two, spread the word; three, let people use it, and see how it goes,” Luengo said.
Citizenship is open to anyone over 18 and is granted upon acceptance of an official application. The new “Witizen” then receives a residence permit, which conveys the following rights:
To vote and be elected for public office
To register a corporation or a representative office of a corporation, a non-profit organization, an association, a political party, or other legal entity in Wirtland
The founders aim for Wirtland to become a parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. (But who will be king or queen remains to be seen.) Its official language is “any language which can be translated online.” It has even applied for its own top-level domain: .wl.
Currently, there are about 285 witizens, says Luengo -- a large number of whom hail from Bulgaria.
“Initially there [were] postings in various forums… Some people re-posted them -- that's how information reached countries like Argentina or Bulgaria,” Luengo said. “Apparently, some journalists in Bulgaria published articles on newspapers and did a TV program. That's why unexpectedly we had an influx of Bulgarians, which is still growing. Then Bulgaria said it considered diplomatic recognition of Wirtland, which boosted it even more.”
What do Witizens do in Wirtland?
“Most… just sign up and use Wirtland as their blog, for photos, music, videos. That's fine with us. Others request our residence permit, passport, etc. They are actively creating new groups, proposing interesting ideas."
Indeed, a visit to Wirtland’s groups page (or should we say district?) shows a variety of Witizen initiatives, including a political council, a cookery book page, an Entrepreneur Club, a space for Web and IT professionals, a medical center, and a press club.
There is even a beauty contest underway. There are also groups on Facebook and LinkedIn for Witizens and interested parties.
As the country grows, the entity known as Wirtland may become more complex, but not the goal: “I simply want to create an online community, which people may proudly belong to... earn money there, communicate, influence real life,” Luengo says. “This is not an escape from reality, but rather a new way to improve -- hopefully -- real life.”
But don't count on any tax breaks if you work in Wirtland -- not yet, anyway.
— Deborah Nason is a freelance writer based in Connecticut.
Thanks for interest to Wirtland. I've finally registered myself here, though this website does not yet recognize Wirtland as a country (this could be done easily by adding Wirtland in your country list at registration page, where 'country' is a required field)
Taxation and driving licenses in Wirtland are popular themes in our F.A.Q. Let me explain:
There are no taxes for individuals in Wirtland. It means that if you receive Wirtland citizenship, you may be sure it will not entail expenses. If you earn money through acitivities related to Wirtland (for instance, open internet shop, or offer paid consultations, or earn commission) you keep 100% of your earnings.
IRS or any other country's tax authority has nothing to do with Wirtland. If the country of your other citizenship requests that you report your Wirtland's revenues and pay tax (to that country, not to Wirtland) than it is your responsibility to do so.
This is similar to conditions offered by many small countries with zero or low individual taxation.
Regarding driving licenses. We want Wirtland documents to be used for real identification
purposes. As a virtual country, Wirtland has no facilities to test driving skills, and guarantee safety necessary for driving license. That's why Wirtland issues passports, but not driving licenses.
I know that it takes some effort and time to start perceiving Wirtland as a country, not a game. But once it's done many people see wide prespectives offered by Wirtland. I'd do my best to answer questions as necessary.
I am just mulling over the conversation with the IRS agent as to why I did not file for my earnings in Wirtland.....
E-commerce consultants needed (commission-based)
Wirtland is first sovereign country in cyberspace. It offers free
citizenship, and has no taxes for individuals. To become economically
sustainable, Wirtland needs experts in internet commerce. By
introducing businesses to Wirtland, you can help our young country
grow, and earn up to 50% commission from all profits generated through
your reference.
If interested, please contact job (at) Wirtland (dot) com.
Cristopher Luengo contacted me via email from the Foreign Office of the Government of Wirtland to tell me that in fact, startups are lining up to register themselves in the virtual country. He points to the following article:
I suspect is is just a front for the lawyers. Consider all the issues
Will Witland offer dual citizenship?
Will I have to renounce my current citizenship?
Will I have to explain my Witlandian citizenship when applyig for security clearances in my other country?
And, most importantly, given todays announcements regarding Guantanamo Bay, can the US send prisoners whose home countries don't want them to Witland? Or, since this is a virtual company, should we sentance computer hackers to prison in Witland.
The possibilities are endless. Virtual life is so much less hindered than real life.
As a simulation game, with a social networking angle, I can see the value. There was another online site a few years ago that had a nation simulation, sort of the old online Empires game with user-selectable features and role playing discussion forums....can't recall it at the moment... this is sort of a more naturalistic, social network oriented concept.
I think the founders of Wirtland are trying to revisit the nation/state notion. Wirtland gives people a chance to start over; perhaps build an entity they way THEY want to see it.
I wonder if they have will have any extradition agreements with any other countrys? This place may come in handy someday...as in, You cant touch me, I am a witizen of Wirtland, and I have my rights!
On another note, it is not surprising that the founders are interested in figuring out how to make $$ on this idea. After all, isn't that the purpose of all governments?
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