Gapla is technically a country as it has the highest authority over a piece of territory, acquired through the terra nullius principle of international law.

Sovereign states, commonly known as countries (although the terms are not always interchangable), exercise the highest legitimate authority over a piece of territory by definition, which Gapla exercises on Greater Danubia through the terra nullius principle of international law. They are not formally bound by the laws or regulations of other states or organizations unless by mutual consent. Therefore, no sovereign state or organization has the power to regulate what is and is not a sovereign state, as they are not usually bound to other entities.

As a sovereign state, Gapla is not located within any other nation’s borders nor bound by their laws. Gapla exercises its sovereignty by forming a government, writing laws, and issuing passports, identity cards, and citizenship certificates.

While we exercise our powers as a sovereign state, we are not yet at the settlement stage. Instead, we are more of a community united by the vision of building a new country than one already existing, even though we are technically already are one. Under the terra nullius principle of international law, Gapla has sovereignty over its territory but has not yet settled it, and this is where we need your help to plan and build our future as a new, innovative, and modern country.