The Founding of Zaqistan

The origin of the Republic of Zaqistan lies in the internet. Zaq Landsberg purchased the two acres that now form Zaqistan off of the online auction site, ebay. Using the handle chromeontherange, Landsberg exchanged $610 with Michael Bartoe (handle worldmoney4sale) for the land. Landsberg thought it necessary to own a piece of the American West before it is all gone. The deed was granted to Zaq on the 26th day of July, 2005. The deed was filed in the Box Elder County Recorder's Office on the 8th day of August 2005.

Zaq Landsberg sets off into the unknown

Sunrise outside of Zaqistan

Later that month Landsberg and Jake Davidson ventured out into the unknown. Setting off from Los Angeles the First Expedition meandered through Arizona and Southern Utah before approaching what would become Zaqistan. Slogging along more than 10 miles of dirt roads the Expedition drove as far as the Honda Civic they were equipped with would go. From the side of Terrace Mountain, they proceeded on foot and at 8:05 am on the 31st day of August, 2005 they arrived at the future site of Zaqistan, and immediately Zaq proceeded to summit and triumphantly plant the Zaq flag atop Mt. Insurmountable.

Zaq Landsberg plants the flag atop Mt. Insurmountable

The arrival to Zaqistan, filmed by Jake Davidson

Animal remains outside of Zaqistan