The Dominion of Melchizedek was unilaterally declared in 1990 by U.S. citizen Mark Pedley, possibly with his father, David Pedley. Mark Pedley also uses a number of pseudonyms, including "Tzemach Ben David Netzer Korem" and "Branch Vinedresser". It borrows its name from the biblical king and priest
Melchizedek. When created, the DoM first laid claim to the Colombian island of
Malpelo, a small island 300 miles off the Pacific coast of Colombia. Later, it invented the Karitane Shoal in the South Pacific, which is supposedly completely submerged for part of the day;
Clipperton Island, an overseas possession of France which lies 1,500 miles west of Nicaragua; and
Taongi, otherwise known as
Bokak Atoll, an uninhabited Micronesian atoll falling under the administration of the Government of the
Marshall Islands. It also claims the portion of
Antarctica unclaimed by sovereign states, from 90 degrees to 150 degrees west, known as
Marie Byrd Land. It has been described as "non-existent" by the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, and as a "non-recognised sovereignty" by the U.S.
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. It appears on an EU list of
fantasy passports issued by private individuals or organisations. Media reports have described it as a "virtual country",
Marshall Islands statement In response to one of DoM's territorial claims, the government of the Republic of the Marshall Islands issued the following statement in April 1998:
Claims of recognition On the DoM's official website, they claim a number of nations have recognized their sovereignty, with links to supporting documents. Upon closer examination, a number of these are merely correspondence acknowledging various requests made of these established states, or appear to be responses to offers of financial support. Of the entire list, only one appeared to be an actual verifiable recognition – a letter signed by President
André Kolingba from the
Central African Republic recognising it as "an Ecclesiastical Sovereignty". have not been proven legitimate by their supposed countries of origin. ==Frauds linked to the Dominion of Melchizedek==