There was never any dispute over the legitimacy of the sovereignty of the Vema Seamount Territory. Before 2006 when the territory was declared a sovereign kingdom, Mount Vema - Vema Seamount was never a nation or part of a nation, an empire or part of an empire, nor a trusteeship. It was never claimed by anyone until August 1st 2006, when it became a sovereign territory in its own right.
The Right to Self-Determination
Many believe that because the Kingdom of Mount Vema is not a member of the United Nations, doing business with Mount Vema is not possible for foreign nationals and foreign companies seeking to take advantage of the business opportunities the floating city project is creating. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Vema seamount territory doesn't need to be a member of the United Nations to function as a sovereign territory, nor to exercise its inalienable right for self-determination.
Captain J. K. M a l l o r y - EXPLORATION OF THE “VEMA” SEAMOUNT
“It is unique because it is probably the only seamount known which rises from the deep ocean basin to a level sufficiently near the surface of the sea to allow effective sunlight penetration, and for direct study by scuba divers using normal equipment.” “It must be remembered that this isolated peak rises directly from the abyssal plain yet reaches the zone of light penetration. There is no direct connection with the mainland of Africa 500 miles to the east, nor with the nearest island group of Tristan da Cunha to the south-west, and St. Helena Bay to the north-west, both a thousand-odd miles away. Therefore, the biological exploration of this small area was bound to prove most interesting, fascinating and rewarding".
“It is unique because it is probably the only seamount known which rises from the deep ocean basin to a level sufficiently near the surface of the sea to allow effective sunlight penetration, and for direct study by scuba divers using normal equipment.” “It must be remembered that this isolated peak rises directly from the abyssal plain yet reaches the zone of light penetration. There is no direct connection with the mainland of Africa 500 miles to the east, nor with the nearest island group of Tristan da Cunha to the south-west, and St. Helena Bay to the north-west, both a thousand-odd miles away. Therefore, the biological exploration of this small area was bound to prove most interesting, fascinating and rewarding".
