Wirtland
From FAS Virtual Worlds Almanac
| Wirtland | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Wirtland |
| URL | http://www.Wirtland.com |
| Status | Active, In Development |
| Platform | Web Browser, PC, Mac |
| Minimum Subscription Cost | Free Subscription |
| Year released | 2008 |
| Avatar]-based | No |
| Multiuser | Yes |
| Interactive | Yes |
| Immediate | Yes |
| Use and Demographics | |
|---|---|
| Primary use(s) | Community |
| Target Audience(s) | Students, Adults, Professionals |
| Language(s) | English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish |
| Theme |
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| warning.png"{{{subject}}}" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. |
| Graphical and Content Features |
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| Communication | |
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| Text Chat | Yes |
| Private Messages | Yes |
| E-mail Integration | Yes |
| Management and Privacy | |
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| Restricted Access in Designated Areas | Yes |
Wirtland ['v¡rtlənd] (http://www.Wirtland.com) claims to be the world's first sovereign web-based country. Wirtland is an experiment into legitimacy and self-sustainability of a sovereign country without its own soil. An extract from Wirtland's Statute follows:
"Wirtland's concept is a country that transcends national borders without breaching or lessening the sovereignty of any involved. Many people feel powerless when it comes to the events that transpire within the governments of their home country, so the creation of a country where they can enact changes and contribute in a meaningful way makes them feel better. This idea could become a movement and, given time, could affect change in the real world...
Who can apply for becoming a Wirtlander? Everyone".
Contents |
History and government
Wirtland was founded on August 14, 2008 as a public initiative. It is represented through its official website. Currently Wirtland is governed by Chancellor, and aims to become a parliamentary democracy.
Population
Population consists of citizens of Wirtland (a.k.a. Witizens) and tourists. Everyone can apply for becoming a citizen. Wirtland offers equal democratic rights and does not discriminate on the basis of national origin, age, religion, race, gender.
Wirtland vis-a-vis virtual worlds
Wirtland differs from virtual worlds: there is no computer-simulated environment, citizens do not use avatars. They may influence real politics, set up organizations, earn money, find partners. Wirtland issues real passports, marriage certificates, and other documents; it registers businesses and other institutions.
Economy and culture
Wirtland aims to become economically self-sustaining. Wirtland is building communities, which will offer political and economic benefits, generate new employment opportunities and income, provide new sources of artistic creativity and independent opinion-sharing.
Screenshots
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References
External Links
In the News
- Kristan J. Wheaton, Wirtland: A New (?) Experimental (??) Cyber (???) Nation (????), Sources And Methods, November 30, 2008.
- "The Times of Wirtland", Wirtland's First Press Release Hits Google News, "The Times of Wirtland", November 23, 2008.
- "The Times of Wirtland", The Legal Aspects of Wirtland, "The Times of Wirtland", November 17, 2008.
- Veldmuis.com, Virtuele bewoners willen eigen ‘virtuele straatnamen’, Veldmuis.com, November 9, 2008.
- Larry Fiorino, Wanna get away? Try a virtual trip to Wirtland, "Maryland Daily Record", January 23, 2009.
- Deborah Nason, Wirtland Evolves as First Country in Cyberspace, "Internet Evolution", January 21, 2009.
- Fox 45 Morning News, Wirtland on FOX News, Fox 45 Morning News (USA), January 20, 2009.
