Roblox Designer Founds Tiny Self-Proclaimed Country Verdis

In a surprising turn of events, a 20-year-old British man named Daniel Jackson has founded the Free Republic of Verdis, a self-proclaimed country nestled in a disputed patch of land between Croatia and Serbia. Verdis, which covers less than 125 acres of forest along the Danube River, now boasts a flag, cabinet, currency, and over 400 official citizens.

Jackson, who is originally from Australia, first had the idea for Verdis when he was just 14 years old. He officially declared the republic's independence on May 30, 2019, after discovering the area was unclaimed by either neighboring country due to an ongoing border dispute. The digital designer, who earns a living by creating virtual worlds on Roblox, began shaping Verdis into a functioning government when he was 18.

Despite facing significant resistance and deportation battles with Croatian authorities, Jackson remains optimistic about the future of his creation. He continues to advocate for the right to access Verdis and hopes to return to live there one day. If successful, he says he would step down from his position and call an election, as he is not interested in power but simply wants to be a "normal citizen."