An Atlas Of Countries That Don’t Exist

Most of us think we know what a country is, but in truth the concept is notoriously slippery. This talk starts with the familiar political map of the world to show what the bold colours and clear boundaries conceal rather than reveal: a multitude of unrecognised and unnoticed states whose claims to legitimacy are deliberately made invisible. This is the shadowy, surprisingly large, and literally unofficial world of countries that don’t exist.

Based on his best-selling book of the same title, acclaimed travel writer and Oxford geography don, Nick Middleton, takes us on an eye-opening journey through this parallel world. These are wannabe countries that, lacking diplomatic recognition or UN membership, inhabit a realm of shifting borders, idealistic leaders and forgotten peoples. But although the places covered in this talk lie beyond the margins of legitimacy, virtually all can be visited in the real world.

Filled with stories, facts and figures, this is simultaneously an insight into the power of territorial countries, an introduction to creating your own nation state, and a bucket list of destinations from an alternative dimension. Above all, it’s an assortment of yearning tales of nationhood, most led by visionary leaders: some sad, some mad, some downright bizarre.

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