Listenbourg emerged as a viral phenomenon in October 2022 when a French Twitter user shared a doctored map of Europe featuring a large, fictional country attached to the Iberian Peninsula. The post was a jab at Americans' perceived lack of geographical knowledge, challenging them to name the 'new' country. The internet quickly ran with the joke, creating a rich history, a national anthem, and even fake official government accounts for the nation. It represents a peak example of collective internet storytelling and gaslighting, where a non-existent place becomes a 'real' cultural touchstone through sheer commitment to the bit.