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Comment by snitko | Hacker News Reader

I wonder if indeed it's completely out of any state's control or it's technically still in a state's jurisdiction. I wonder what would happen if someone bought an island and started hiring people and making money there and not paying any taxes. My guess is that government agents would suddenly become very interested in that piece of land and would pay a visit.

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Almost none are truly independent or outside of a jurisdiction - I think he meant more metaphorically.

But if you're interested in how the scenario you mentioned plays out, read up on some of the history of Sealand:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

rdl is on here actually...

It's in Nova scotia, so the deed is registered there and we pay taxes there.

Be wary of the local property taxes. Any construction will count as increasing the value of the terrain, which the county will often assess over it's true value. Keep an eye on the yearly value increases and don't be afraid to contest the valuation, especially if you don't have running water, electricity, etc.

I'm not sure I understand why being an island is different from any other land.

It's still under the tax jurisdiction of the Province and Country.

How is this different when I replace the word island with acreage or farm?

I think this answers the question of "but if you don't like the rules, you can always leave". In fact, you can't. Even if you can afford a piece of land like this, you're still a subject of taxation of some country.

Your neighbor won't knock on your door and complain your dog is barking too much.

It's also much easier to defend in a "without rule of law" (WROL) situation. You've raised the bar for just getting to your place. Short of scuba gear, there's no way to approach a prepared island undetected. This even goes for the dark of night if the defenders are well prepared. Would be invaders would probably also be approaching without cover against rifle fire, unless they are hiding behind the engine block of a fairly large sized boat.

There are some disadvantages that come with that. A determined group could keep you trapped on your island more easily as well.

That's true on any large or remote piece of land, though, not specific to islands. It's one reason people who live in middle-of-nowhere Wyoming like it there.

The island is in Canada. I think the Canadian revenue agency can afford a boat to inspect the island.

My question is not whether they can afford it or not, but whether they indeed would do it or not. If not, then you can consider this island a separate country, which is pretty cool. If, on the other hand, it's still Canada's jurisdiction, then it doesn't make any sense owning such an island.

We have and plan on complying with all laws. Taxes are very low, almost negligible when distributed amongst the 10 owners.

The point isn't to escape jurisdiction, just to have a cool private summer came / work retreat place.

It's controlled by Canada. There is no land on earth outside of the control of nation-states, except Antarctica, which is shared by major nations but has territorial claims by 7 nations.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_claims_in_Antarctic...

> There is no land on earth outside of the control of nation-states, except Antarctica

Not quite. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bir_Tawil

Not quite. <...snip...>Bir_Tawil

I found elsewhere: "this is pretty much just 2,000 km2 of sand and rocks", and "consisting mainly of sand and rocks ... 2069 sq km (795 sq mil) and is shaped like a trapezoid." , and checked it out on satellite. The nearest road appears to be 250km away. Definitely no chance of internet. But even this place I suppose could be made habitable with long term effort. Solar would be a good bet for power, and long distance radio or perhaps microwave or satellite would be viable for internet. Semi-subterranean dwellings could be ideal and even support crops, once constructed. But investment would be significant. I wonder if you could fly in/out hardware, junk and supplies via solar-powered drone?

It's still de facto Egyptian territory, although for the bizarre political reasons outlined in the Wikipedia article they just don't claim it as such. Flying in/out isn't going to work too well since it's fully surrounded by Egypt and Sudan.

I always figured if there was a serious claim to that area that Egypt and Sudan would be pretty quick to work out their differences.

From that page: Egypt still administers the territory. That was my point. You could build an underwater city in the middle of the pacific and some government would somehow claim it. If there is money there, a nation will be present to collect its cut and make sure you abide by their law.

But very cool find nonetheless!

Dean Kamen of Segway fame tried to do this once, albeit only half seriously: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Dumpling_Island

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