`:top
`!Talossa`!, also known as the `!Kingdom of Talossa`! (`F33f`_`[Talossan`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Talossan_language]`_`f: `*Regipäts Talossan`* [ˈred͡ʒipæt͡s tɐɫɔˈsan]), is one of the earliest `F33f`_`[micronations`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Micronation]`_`f – founded in 1979 by then-14-year-old Robert Ben Madison of `F33f`_`[Milwaukee`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Milwaukee]`_`f and at first confined to his bedroom; he adopted the name after discovering that the word means "inside the house" in Finnish. Among the first such projects still maintained, it has kept up a web presence since 1995.`:cite-ref-econ-1-0[`F5bf`_`[1`#cite-note-econ-1]`_`f]`:cite-ref-cnn-2-0[`F5bf`_`[2`#cite-note-cnn-2]`_`f] Its internet and media exposure since the late 1990s contributed to the appearance of other subsequent internet micronations.
Talossa claims several places on Earth as its territory, especially a portion of `F33f`_`[Milwaukee`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Milwaukee]`_`f, calling it the "Greater Talossan Area"; no such claim, however, is recognized by the `F33f`_`[United Nations`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=United_Nations]`_`f or by any sovereign nation. As of August 5, 2023, the number of active citizens is said to be 157.`:cite-ref-3[`F5bf`_`[3`#cite-note-3]`_`f] Including those who are no longer citizens for various reasons, those who are under the age of 14 and so are not yet citizens, and those from the ESB Affair`:cite-ref-4[`F5bf`_`[4`#cite-note-4]`_`f] there are 564 total registered individuals. The current King of Talossa is Sir Txec Róibeard dal Nordselvá,`:cite-ref-talossa-com-5-0[`F5bf`_`[5`#cite-note-talossa-com-5]`_`f] who in December 2024 succeeded John I. The successors to the throne are the children of the Present King (Prince Patrick, Prince Peter, Princess Daniele).`:cite-ref-6[`F5bf`_`[6`#cite-note-6]`_`f] Kings of Talossa: Robert I (1979–1987), Robert II (1987), Florence I (1987–1988), Robert I (1988–2005), Louis (Regent, 2005–2006), John I (2006–2024), Txec I (2024–present)
>>Contents
• `F0af`_`[Culture`#culture]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[History and growth`#history-and-growth]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Talossan language`#talossan-language]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[See also`#see-also]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[Literature`#literature]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[References`#references]`_`f
• `F0af`_`[External links`#external-links]`_`f
-─
>>Culture
Talossan culture has been developed over the years by Robert Madison and other fans. The `F33f`_`[Talossan language`#talossan-language]`_`f, also created by Madison in 1980,`:cite-ref-7[`F5bf`_`[7`#cite-note-7]`_`f] claims a vocabulary of 35,000 root words and 121,000 derived words`:cite-ref-history-8-0[`F5bf`_`[8`#cite-note-history-8]`_`f] – including `*fieschada,`* meaning "`F33f`_`[love at first sight`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Love_at_first_sight]`_`f".`:cite-ref-transl-9-0[`F5bf`_`[9`#cite-note-transl-9]`_`f]`:cite-ref-wired-10-0[`F5bf`_`[10`#cite-note-wired-10]`_`f]
>>History and growth
Talossa was founded as a kingdom on December 26, 1979,`:cite-ref-arpats-11-0[`F5bf`_`[11`#cite-note-arpats-11]`_`f] by Madison, shortly after the death of his mother. Madison maintained Talossa throughout his adolescence, publishing a handwritten newspaper and designing a flag and emblem. During this time its only other members were about a dozen relatives and acquaintances. This changed in the mid-1990s, when a series of stories in the `*`F33f`_`[New York Times`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=New_York_Times]`_`f`*`:cite-ref-nytimes2000-12-0[`F5bf`_`[12`#cite-note-nytimes2000-12]`_`f]`:cite-ref-nytimes2005-13-0[`F5bf`_`[13`#cite-note-nytimes2005-13]`_`f] and `*`F33f`_`[Wired`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wired_(magazine)]`_`f`*,`:cite-ref-wired-10-1[`F5bf`_`[10`#cite-note-wired-10]`_`f] subsequently republished elsewhere, drew his website to popular attention. Several new "citizens" joined Talossa as a result, and Madison began to claim that he was the inventor of the term "micronation".
In April 1996, Madison reestablished the dormant `F33f`_`[League of Secessionist States`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=League_of_Secessionist_States]`_`f—an `F33f`_`[intermicronational organisation`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Intermicronational_organisation]`_`f originally founded by him and two friends in 1980—and launched a website for it.`:cite-ref-14[`F5bf`_`[14`#cite-note-14]`_`f] Between 1997 and at least 2000, it was the most prominent intermicronational organisation on the Internet.`:cite-ref-nytimes2000-12-1[`F5bf`_`[12`#cite-note-nytimes2000-12]`_`f]`:cite-ref-15[`F5bf`_`[15`#cite-note-15]`_`f]
Madison disestablished the "kingdom" in late 2005, but Talossa is still active today despite the lack of involvement of the original founder.`:cite-ref-16[`F5bf`_`[16`#cite-note-16]`_`f]
Madison registered "Talossa"`:cite-ref-uspto-17-0[`F5bf`_`[17`#cite-note-uspto-17]`_`f] as a service mark in 2005 and created Talossa, Inc., a Wisconsin not-for-profit corporation. By 2013 the service mark had been cancelled and the corporation had been administratively dissolved.`:cite-ref-wdfi-18-0[`F5bf`_`[18`#cite-note-wdfi-18]`_`f]
>>Talossan language
Madison invented Talossan ([tɐɫɔˈsan] or `*el glheþ Talossan`* [ɛɫ ʎeθ tɐɫɔˈsan]) as a `F33f`_`[constructed language`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Constructed_language]`_`f for his `F33f`_`[micronation`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Micronation]`_`f. With its relatively large vocabulary, which is mostly French-based, it has been described at least once as one of the most detailed `F33f`_`[fictional languages`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Fictional_language]`_`f ever invented.`:cite-ref-wired-10-2[`F5bf`_`[10`#cite-note-wired-10]`_`f] The former Association of Talossan Language Organisations (ATLO) maintained a website describing the language for new learners, providing language information, research and online translation to and from English.`:cite-ref-19[`F5bf`_`[19`#cite-note-19]`_`f] The `F33f`_`[ISO 639`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISO_639]`_`f designation is "tzl".`:cite-ref-tzl-20-0[`F5bf`_`[20`#cite-note-tzl-20]`_`f] That website is now deprecated, and new resources will be created with the formation of `*la Società per l'Ilesnaziun del Glheþ Naziunal`* (Society for the Facilitation of the National Language, SIGN).
The language is overseen by the `*Comità per l'Útzil del Glheþ`* ("Committee for the Use of the Language," CÚG), a group formed by Madison which periodically issued both `*Arestadas`* (decrees) to describe and document changes in language usage of the language and `*Pienamaintschen`* (supplements), to update the vocabulary list. The CÚG maintained a multi-lingual website providing access to the recent recommendations of the Committee.`:cite-ref-21[`F5bf`_`[21`#cite-note-21]`_`f]
>>See also
• `F33f`_`[Constructed language`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Constructed_language]`_`f (conlang)
• `F33f`_`[List of micronations`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=List_of_micronations]`_`f
>>Literature
• Clemens J. Setz: `*Die Bienen und das Unsichtbare`*, Suhrkamp Verlag, Berlin 2020, pp. 174–184.
>>References
`:cite-note-econ-1`!1.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-econ-1-0]`_`f "Castles in the air." `*`F33f`_`[The Economist`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=The_Economist]`_`f`*, 20 December 2005.
`:cite-note-cnn-2`!2.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-cnn-2-0]`_`f "Shortcuts: Starting your own country" CNN.com, 27 September 2006.
`:cite-note-3`!3.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-3]`_`f "Talossan Database".
`:cite-note-4`!4.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-4]`_`f "Talossa Entry".
`:cite-note-talossa-com-5`!5.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-talossa-com-5-0]`_`f https://talossa.com/
`:cite-note-6`!6.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-6]`_`f `:citereflaitinensalama1968`aLaitinen, Kai; Salama, Hannu (1968). "Kenttäläinen käy talossa". `*Books Abroad`*. `!42`! (4): 624. `F33f`_`[doi`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Doi_(identifier)]`_`f:10.2307/40123029. `F33f`_`[ISSN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISSN_(identifier)]`_`f 0006-7431. `F33f`_`[JSTOR`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=JSTOR_(identifier)]`_`f 40123029.
`:cite-note-7`!7.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-7]`_`f talossan.com. History Archived 2023-07-06 at the `F33f`_`[Wayback Machine`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wayback_Machine]`_`f. Retrieved 24 January 2016.
`:cite-note-history-8`!8.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-history-8-0]`_`f "The CÚG and Its Mission Archived 2023-07-06 at the `F33f`_`[Wayback Machine`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wayback_Machine]`_`f," `*El Glheþ Talossan,`* 2012. Accessed 2 June 2016.
`:cite-note-transl-9`!9.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-transl-9-0]`_`f "L'Översteir" (Translator), `*El Glheþ Talossan,`* 2012. Accessed 2 June 2016.
`:cite-note-wired-10`!10.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-wired-10-0]`_`f Alex Blumberg, "It's good to be king". `F33f`_`[Wired`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wired_magazine]`_`f, March 2000, 8.03.
`:cite-note-arpats-11`!11.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-arpats-11-0]`_`f R. Ben Madison (2008), "Ár Päts: Classic History of the Kingdom of Talossa" accessed on 2020-03-18.
`:cite-note-nytimes2000-12`!12.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-nytimes2000-12-0]`_`f Stephen Mimh (2000) `*Utopian rulers and spoofs stake out territory online`*. New York Times, May 25, 2000
`:cite-note-nytimes2005-13`!13.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-nytimes2005-13-0]`_`f Roberta Smith, "Art in Review: We could have invited everybody". `F33f`_`[New York Times`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=New_York_Times]`_`f July 15, 2005.
`:cite-note-14`!14.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-14]`_`f `:citerefo-driscoll2000`aO'Driscoll, Fabrice (2000). `*`F33f`_`[Ils ne siègent pas à l'ONU: revue de quelques micro-Etats, micro-nations et autres entités éphémères`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Ils_ne_siègent_pas_à_l'ONU:_revue_de_quelques_micro-Etats,_micro-nations_et_autres_entités_éphémères]`_`f`* (in French). Presses du Midi. p. 258. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 978-2-87867-251-0. `B100`F9d9{{cite book}}`f`b: `B100`F9d9|work=`f`b ignored (help); Unknown parameter `B100`F9d9|agency=`f`b ignored (help)
`:cite-note-15`!15.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-15]`_`f `:citereffuligni1997`a`F33f`_`[Fuligni, Bruno`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Bruno_Fuligni]`_`f (1997). `*L'État c'est moi: Histoire des monarchies privées, principautés de fantaisie et autres républiques pirates`* (in French). Editions de Paris. p. 221. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 978-2-90529-169-1 – via `F33f`_`[Google Books`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Google_Books]`_`f. `B100`F9d9{{cite book}}`f`b: `B100`F9d9|work=`f`b ignored (help)
`:cite-note-16`!16.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-16]`_`f `:citerefryandunfordsellars2006`aRyan, John; Dunford, George; Sellars, Simon (September 2006). `*Micronations: The Lonely Planet Guide to Home-Made Nations`*. Lonely Planet. p. 101. `F33f`_`[ISBN`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=ISBN_(identifier)]`_`f 1-74104-730-7.
`:cite-note-uspto-17`!17.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-uspto-17-0]`_`f Talossa entry Archived 2022-07-09 at the `F33f`_`[Wayback Machine`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wayback_Machine]`_`f, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Accessed June 2, 2016
`:cite-note-wdfi-18`!18.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-wdfi-18-0]`_`f Talossa entry in Wisconsin Financial Institutions register. Accessed on 2010-01-01.
`:cite-note-19`!19.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-19]`_`f "El Glheþ Talossan | Information and Resources for the Student and User of the Talossan Language". Archived from the original on 2021-02-12. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
`:cite-note-tzl-20`!20.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-tzl-20-0]`_`f Documentation for ISO 639 identifier: tzl, 2013-01-23. Accessed 2 June 2016.
`:cite-note-21`!21.`! `F0af`_`[↑`#cite-ref-21]`_`f Comità per l'Útzil del Glheþ, CÚG
>>External links
• Talossa website
• Talossa wiki
• Talossan language information and translation resource Archived 2021-02-12 at the `F33f`_`[Wayback Machine`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Wayback_Machine]`_`f
• Committee for the Use of Talossan Language
• L'Översteir, bidirectional Talossan-English translator
• 2010 Arestada newsletter
• "R. Ben Madison's Talossan Language Page". 25 January 1999. Archived from the original on 5 February 2006. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
• Kingdom of Talossa on `F33f`_`[Atlas Obscura`:/page/wikibook/entry.mu`zim=wikipedia_en_all_nopic_2025-08.zim|entry_path=Atlas_Obscura]`_`f
`c`F0af`_`[↑ Back to top`#top]`_`f`a