The Forgotten Nation of Neutral Moresnet,A country that is long forgotten, rarely is mentioned in an

The Forgotten Nation of Neutral Moresnet,A country that is long forgotten, rarely is mentioned in any history or geography books, and 99.99% of people don’t know about, Neutral Moresnet was a 3.5 square kilometer (1 square mile) nation straddling the border between Germany and Belgium.  The history of Neutral Moresnet begins in 1816 after the final defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte. Two allies who helped defeat Napoleon, Prussia and The Netherlands (of which Belgium was a part of at the time), had mostly agreed on a new border between their respective nations.  The only major bone of contention was the district of Moresnet, which was home to a rich zinc mine.  An impasse developed, with neither side agreeing to each others proposals.  Finally, a compromise was made in which Moresnet would become a neutral self governing territory, where neither side could station military forces. A local government was formed consisting of a mayor and council overseen by a commissioner from both countries. A police force was formed, as well as civil services, and various others services which a country would typically have. Citizens of Neutral Moresnet were also exempt from military conscription of both Belgium and Germany.  In addition a flag was chosen (pictured above), and although the French Franc was legal tender, by the mid 19th century a local currency began to be circulated.Neutral Moresnet’s economy depended on it’s zinc mine. When the mine was exhausted in 1885, Neutral Moresnet had to turn to other sources of wealth. For example, due to it’s very low tax rates, Neutral Morenet became a favored tax shelter for many wealthy European industrialists and businessmen. When gambling was banned in most countries, Neutral Moresnet opened a casino.  Attempts were made to make Neutral Moresnet an officially independent country, the most notable of which was when Dr. Wilhelm Molly called for Neutral Moresnet to become an Esparanto speaking state in 1908, causing the World Congress of Esparanto to declare the country the official capital of Esparanto.  Today, Esparantists still call for independence and the establishment of an Esparanto speaking nation in Neutral Moresnet.Neutral Moresnet came to and end in 1914 with the start of World War I and the German invasion of the country as well as Belgium.  After the war, the country was annexed by Belgium.  -- source link

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