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About our Territory
Learn about Gapla’s territory and our claim to statehood.
A Claim to Statehood
The Federated States of Gapla’s claim to statehood is rooted in two beautiful territories located along the Danube River. In the north lies Cristus, situated in the region locally referred to as the “Pocket West of Apatin,” near the city of Apatin, Serbia. To the south is Gaplastovia, situated in an area known locally as “Pocket 2.” Together, these two territories span a total of 54 acres and are divided into five municipalities, taking advantage of Gapla’s small size and providing a foundation for Gapla’s localized system of governance.
Shown on the left is an image from one of Croatia’s official government map, the red international border indicating that Gaplastovia and Cristus are outside of the Danube river. As Serbia claims the thalweg of the Danube as the international border, it is clear that both Gaplastovia and Cristus, lying on the west bank of the Danube, were terra nullius under international law, as neither Serbia, nor Croatia, or any other state claimed the territory prior to Ongal’s claim.
The territories were claimed under the terra nullius principle of international law following the de facto dissolution of the Principality of Ongal, the first known claimant of the territories. The Federated States of Gapla remains the only legitimate claimant of these territories due to its swiftness in raising an official territorial claim following the dissolution of Ongal.
The Croatia-Serbia Border Dispute
Learn about the border dispute that led to the birth of Gapla.
Unlike many border disputes, the Croatia-Serbia border dispute, located along an approximately 140 km section of the Danube River, is unique in that it involves pieces of territory unclaimed by both sides. Croatia’s position is that the international border lies along the boundaries of the cadastral municipalities situated along the river, reflecting the Danube’s course in the 19th century prior to anti-meandering and hydrotechnical engineering. In contrast, Serbia’s position is that the border follows the current centerline of the Danube River. These differing interpretations have resulted in several unclaimed territories, known as Gornja Siga, Siga Island, the pocket west of Apatin, pocket 2, and pocket 3.
Additionally, some maps depict an area known as “pocket 1” and exclude the pocket west of Apatin, which originated from an erroneous border drawing in a widely-used source regarding the border dispute. However, official Croatian government maps confirm that the pocket west of Apatin exists, while “pocket 1” does not.
Although the issue was first raised in 1947, it became contentious following the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, when former internal borders between the constituent states of Yugoslavia, including Croatia and Serbia, became international borders under the Arbitration Commission of the Peace Conference on Yugoslavia in 1991. Both nations assert that their claims align with the results of the Dilas Convention, which established the borders between the constituent states of Yugoslavia.
The territories were regarded as terra nullius under international law after Yugoslavia’s dissolution until the early 2010s, when claims were made by entities such as the Principality of Ongal and the Free Republic of Liberland. Following the dissolution of the Principality of Ongal in 2022, the Federated States of Gapla became the sole legitimate claimant of several territories previously claimed by Ongal, as these areas reverted to terra nullius. The Federated States of Gapla ceded pocket 3 to the Free Republic of Verdis, the best known claimant to the territory, as well as Siga Island to the Free Republic of Liberland, due to its territorial control, while the Free Republic of Liberland retained Gornja Siga from a prior cession by the Principality of Ongal. Today, the sole legitimate claimants to the territory are the Free Republic of Liberland (Gornja Siga and Siga Island), the Federated States of Gapla (pocket 2 and the pocket west of Apatin), and the Free Republic of Verdis (pocket 3).
Territories Infographic
Ready to get involved?
Citizenship
Citizenship in Gapla is free and is the initial step in joining our community. As a citizen, you can start a business, engage with fellow citizens, and are eligible to apply for the Provisional Government.
Nationbuilding
Joining the Provisional Government makes you one of Gapla’s visionaries. As a member of the Provisional Government, you’ll be involved in building and planning Gapla, including communicating with the press.
Settlement
While we aren’t at settlement yet, Gapla is currently offering opportunities for physical contributions, including land surveying, tourism, and camping. These opportunities are limited and available by request.