In 1972, a millionaire built an artificial island in the Pacific to create a tax-free country, but it disappeared before becoming a nation

North America Science Wed, 05 Aug 2026 09:43:13 GMT Moderate confidence — 73/100

Republic of Minerva, Image: AI GeneratedWhat if you could build your own country, write your own laws and never pay taxes again?
That was the extraordinary vision behind the Republic of Minerva, a self-declared nation founded on an artificial island in the South Pacific in the early 1970s.
Backed by wealthy investors and libertarian ideals, the project sought to create a sovereign state free from taxation, government regulation and political control.

Republic of Minerva, Image: AI GeneratedWhat if you could build your own country, write your own laws and never pay taxes again?
That was the extraordinary vision behind the Republic of Minerva, a self-declared nation founded on an artificial island in the South Pacific in the early 1970s.
Backed by wealthy investors and libertarian ideals, the project sought to create a sovereign state free from taxation, government regulation and political control.

Sources: Times of India