Principality of the Pontinha
 | This article's factual accuracy is disputed. |
Principality of the Pontinha Principado da Pontinha (Pt) | |
|---|---|
 Official Flag Flag
 Coat of Arms Coat of arms
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| Motto: '''Verbum volat, scriptum manet Words fly away, writings remain (English) | |
| Anthem: Hino da Pontinha | |
 Principality of the Pontinha's Location near Madeira Island. | |
| Official languages | Portuguese |
| Demonym(s) | Pontinhense, Fortense |
| Government | Contitutional Monarchy |
| Establishment | 9 Oct 1903 (foundation) 30 Nov 2007 (Secession) |
| Population | |
• Census | 4 (2007) undetermined (2014) |
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC -1 |
The Principality of the Pontinha (Portuguese: Principado da Pontinha), also referred as Forte São José or simply Pontinha is a now-defunct Portuguese micronation and self-proclaimed country.
Founded by Prince Renato de Barros, the nation-state, on the Forte São José fortress islet, is located off the coast of the port of Funchal, capital of the Madeira Islands, an autonomous region of Portugal. The Principality is located about 70 meters off Madeira Island, the principal island of the archipelago. It has an area of about 178 Square Metres, or 1,916 square feet.
History
Pre-Principality
The history of the rock begins as early as 1 July 1419, when Portuguese sea captains João Gonçalves Zarco and Tristão Vaz Teixeira, at the service of Prince Henry the Navigator, land on a rock, and carve steps and a shelter that can still be seen today. The history of the country, on the other hand, begins on 9 October 1903, when the then King D. Carlos I of Portugal, ancestor of D. Renato III, first Prince of the Pontinha, signed a Regal Letter (the original is kept in the Tower of London) that stated that the territory of the said Principality of the Pontinha, a rock where the Fort of Saint José is located (the building of the Principality), shall be sovereign.
The Principality Today
Currently the case is being analyzed by the international community, including the United Nations. Prince D. Renato III expects to obtain the rights of a country, including the 200 nautical miles by 2015 or 2016.
Prince D. Renato III states that he has good relations with the Brazilian Government, and if the Principality shall be recognized, it will be the door of entry to Europe. The Principality of the Pontinha is a member nation of the Micronational Professional Registry, an international and intermicronational professional registry.
On 30 November 2007, Prince D. Renato Barros formally announced the secession of the Principality from Portugal. [1]
Foreign relations
Friendly relations
Macronational recognition
Portuguese Republic (2010 - partial recognition)
United Nations (expected recognition by 2015 or 2016)
Micronational recognition
Principality of Lomellina (6 August 2014)
Federal Commonwealth of Nixland (4 October 2020)
See also
External links
- Fort of Saint José
- Video: The World's Smallest Principality
- Video: Principality of the Pontinha
- Video: Owner Principality of the Pontinha wants its independence
- Video: VTV - Renato Barros, Príncipe da Pontinha (Part 1 of 2)
- Video: VTV - Renato Barros, Príncipe da Pontinha (Part 1 of 2)
- PALCUS: History, Genealogy and Research
- Links on Portuguese colonial history
References
- Forte de São José
- Forte de São José
- Da Silva, M.L. João Gonçalves Zarco, o primeiro herói dos descobrimentos portugueses!, 30 July 2005
- Camacho, P.A. Christies - a loja de leilões londrina - vai avaliar o Forte de São José, no Funchal, Madeira, Jornal da Madeira, 7 October 2005
- Ilhéu de São José, Vagueando pela Madeira, 8 August 2006
- Gonçalves, Raquel. O "Príncipe" da Pontinha. Revista Diário (Diário de Notícias), 21–27 January 2007, pp. 8–13.
- Dono do ilhéu da Pontinha quer independência, TSF Online, 3 October 2007
- Gandum, Alex. Histórias de Reis Nesta República Monárquica!, 4 October 2007
- The Principality of the Pontinha secedes from Portugal, ProLog.org, 29 November 2007
- The Principality of the Pontinha secedes from Portugal, Free-Press-Release.com, 29 November 2007
- The Principality of the Pontinha secedes from Portugal, SANEPR.com, 30 November 2007
- The Principality of the Pontinha secedes from Portugal, openPR.com, 30 November 2007
- Carta de D. Renato I, Apdeites V2, 30 November 2007
- Comunicado 124/2007. Assunto: Pedido de reunião e fecho de fronteiras do Principado do Ilhéu da Pontinha, 30 November 2007
- The Principality of the Pontinha "breaks away" from Portugal, Blog Thoughts Madeira, 1 December 2007
- Notícias do Principado, Fúria do cajado, 1 December 2007
- O "país" do eu sozinho, Em Público, 6 December 2007
- Comunicado 145/2007. Assunto: Cancelamento do Encerramento de Fronteiras, 29 December 2007
- Stretch, Euan. Nail from the time of Christ's crucifixion found in a dig, Mirror.co.uk, 2 March 2010
- Nail from Christ's crucifixion found?, Telegraph.co.uk, 2 March 2010
- Stanglin, Doug. Archaeologists find crucifixion-style nail from the time of Jesus, USA TODAY, 2 March 2010