A red shack, a red-and-white striped barrier, and a sign that welcomes you to a republic. It might look like a typical border crossing, except for one small detail: it’s in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by nothing but desert. All around are shrubs, rocks, and the occasional rattlesnake. There’s no town, no immigration office, and, above all, that barrier doesn’t mark any official border.
And no, this isn’t the opening of a dystopian novel: this place really exists. In November 2025, it even celebrated its 20th anniversary. Located in Utah, it’s called Zaqistan, a tiny self-proclaimed republic with its own president, flag, national anthem, and even a capital. There’s just one small, though rather significant, detail: it doesn’t have a single permanent resident, nor is it recognized by any other country.
How Did Zaqistan Come to Be?
On eBay, you can buy practically anything. Even a plot of land in the middle of the American desert. New York artist Zaq Landsberg discovered this firsthand when, in the summer of 2005, he purchased a two-acre plot in the Utah desert for just $610, without ever having seen it in person.
A few months later, on November 19, 2005, Landsberg and several dozen supporters declared independence from the United States, officially establishing the Republic of Zaqistan. The artist-turned-president naturally became its head of state, while that barren patch of land, with no running water, electricity, or paved roads, was transformed, at least on paper, into a brand-new micronation.
The U.S. government, unsurprisingly, didn’t pay much attention: Zaqistan remained, and still remains, a remote patch of American territory. Yet in September 2023, the president of the Republic of Molossia, another self-proclaimed micronation in the United States, traveled to Zaqistan for a symbolic state visit, complete with passport stamps.
A Country With a Flag, a Capital… and No Residents
Like any self-respecting country, Zaqistan has a capital, Zaqopolis, a flag featuring a giant golden squid on a red background, a national anthem, and even a Latin motto, Quispiam Ex Nusquam, which translates to “Something From Nothing.” But the really entertaining details appear in the republic’s official profile: its main import is water, while its main export is conceptual art.
And if you’re wondering about its national animal, it’s the giant squid, while the rattlesnake serves as the national reptile and the scorpion as the national arthropod. All of this is documented on the republic’s official website. In 2016, a temporary tourism office even opened in Salt Lake City, offering souvenirs, passports, and citizenship documents.
What Is There to See in Zaqistan?
Don’t bother applying for a Zaqistani visa: the self-proclaimed republic doesn’t currently issue them. And don’t expect any actual border checks, either! Once you pass the symbolic border, you’ll find yourself in Zaqopolis, a tiny, rather makeshift open-air art installation filled with decidedly surreal structures, occasionally restored by supporters of the micronation.
Among the attractions, besides the “Welcome to Zaqistan” sign, the customs booth, and the border barrier, you’ll find:
- the Guardians of Zaqistan, metal robot sentries installed in 2006 to protect the nation’s borders;
- the Victory Arch, erected in 2009 and humorously dedicated to a victory that was never actually specified;
- the Decennial Monument, built in 2015 to celebrate ten years of independence;
- Mount Insurmountable, a modest rise in the desert with a rather grand name. It’s the highest point in Zaqistan, where Landsberg planted his flag when he first visited the territory in 2005.
Can You Visit Zaqistan?
Well, technically, yes. And we at Travel in USA are usually the first to encourage our readers to explore remote and unusual destinations. But in this case, a few words of caution are in order. Zaqistan isn’t your typical tourist attraction: there are no hotels, visitor facilities, or regularly scheduled tours you can count on. And let’s face it, the attractions themselves are part of the joke.
Reaching Zaqistan is no ordinary road trip. According to the republic’s official website, it’s about 50 miles from the nearest gas station, with 15 to 20 miles of dirt roads from the highway, followed by several more miles of rough four-wheel-drive tracks or a hike through the desert. There are no services or reliable sources of water, and conditions can be harsh.
In short, visiting Zaqistan is more of a carefully planned desert expedition than a casual sightseeing stop. It’s the kind of journey you undertake for the adventure itself rather than for what awaits you at the destination. So, if you ask us… Zaqistan is probably best admired from afar!
PS: If you’re exploring northwestern Utah, don’t miss the Bonneville Salt Flats, a spectacular natural wonder we’ve covered in a separate guide. Unlike Zaqistan, this is a destination you can visit without embarking on a desert expedition!
