What are the 10 smallest countries in the world? This article not only lists the 5 smallest countries in the world, but also reveals other countries with equally small land areas.
What are the 10 smallest countries in the world ? This article not only lists the 5 smallest countries in the world , but also reveals other countries with equally small land areas.
Countries come in all shapes and sizes. Some of the largest sovereign nations by surface area include Russia, Canada, and the United States, according to nationsonline.org. But which is the smallest country in the world? Can size be determined by surface area or even population, among other metrics?
According to nationsonline.org, some of the world's smallest countries are located in the Caribbean and the South Pacific. However, one country ranks higher than others in terms of its small size.
Which country is the smallest in the world?
According to worldatlas.com, the smallest country in the world is Vatican City. It is a state located within Rome, Italy, and is the global headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.
According to titlemax.com, the country boasts an area of just 0.19 square miles or 0.49 square kilometers. According to worldatlas.com, Vatican City has a population of approximately 800 to 900 people.
Below are the top 10 smallest countries in terms of area , but don't be fooled by their size, because these places are always fascinating destinations to visit.
10. Republic of Malta – 316 km²
The Republic of Malta is a Southern European island nation, an archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea. Compared to Grenada's population of 107,000, Malta is a remarkably vibrant and bustling kingdom with a population of 419,000 (as of January 1, 2016), making it one of the smallest yet most densely populated countries in Europe .
The Republic of Malta consists of three large islands: Malta (Malta), Gozo (Għawdex), and Comino (Kemmuna) – all of which are inhabited, while several smaller islands remain uninhabited. According to a United Nations report, Malta ranks 48th among the happiest countries in the world.
Malta boasts the Calypso Caves – a cave overlooking the Sandy Sea and Ramla Bay, a feature prominently mentioned in the epic Odyssey – where Calypso held Odysseus captive as a " prisoner of love " for seven years. Calypso assured Odysseus immortality if he stayed with her, but Odysseus escaped with his wife, Penelope.
9. Maldives – 300km 2
Maldives, or the Maldivian Islands, officially the Republic of Maldives, is an island nation consisting of a group of coral islands in the Indian Ocean.
The Maldives archipelago consists of 1,192 coral islands grouped into clusters of 26, of which approximately 200 are inhabited. The Maldives became an independent country in 1965, and according to the census of January 1, 2016, the population of the Maldives was approximately 367,000 people.
The Maldives holds the record for the flattest country in the world, with its natural land elevation only 2.3 meters above sea level, coupled with a mild, warm climate year-round. As a result, the archipelago forms an ecosystem with rich marine life and seemingly endless coral reefs.
Tourism and fishing are two key economic sectors of the Maldives. The Maldives' tourism " specialty " is its world-renowned luxury resorts with bungalows perched on vibrant coral reefs, making it one of the most expensive tourist destinations in the world.
8. Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis - 261 km²
The nation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, an island nation located in the eastern Caribbean Sea, is the smallest island nation on both U.S. lists: the list of countries by area and the list of countries by population. According to the January 2016 census, the population of Saint Kitts and Nevis is less than six times that of the Republic of Maldives, approximately 55,000 people. The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis has a developed economy with tourism, agriculture, and industry.
7. Marshall Islands - 181 km²
The Marshall Islands are an archipelago located in the Atlantic Ocean and are one of the smallest countries in the world. It consists of 24 islands and islets, with a total area of approximately 181 km² . The Marshall Islands are situated between Southeast Asia and the Pacific Ocean, and are a member state of the United Nations (UN).
6. Liechtenstein - 160km 2
The Principality of Liechtenstein is a Central European country with its capital Vaduz and its largest city Schaan. According to the 2016 census, its population was 37,000, less than 10 times that of the Maldives.
Located between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is a safe place with an extremely low crime rate, the last murder occurring in 1997. When adjusted by purchasing power parity, Liechtenstein has the highest GDP per capita in the world and the lowest foreign debt in the world.
Furthermore, Liechtenstein also has the second lowest unemployment rate in the world at 1.5% (Monaco is the lowest). Liechtenstein's economy is primarily industrial, but mainly relies on importing raw materials for processing and manufacturing. In addition, tourism is a significant source of revenue for the principality.
5. San Marino - 61km²
San Marino is the first nation to claim sovereignty, with a population of approximately 32,000 according to the 2016 census. While relatively small, it is surprisingly densely populated compared to Saint Kitts and Nevis. It has a larger land area (201 km²) but a population of 13,000 more!
San Marino, officially known as the Republic of San Marino , is the fifth smallest independent country in the world. Remarkably, San Marino is entirely surrounded by Italy, and therefore boasts many beautiful architectural structures dating back to the 13th century.
Legend has it that the country was founded in the 4th century by a stonemason named Marino, who sought refuge from persecution under Emperor Diocletianus. San Marino later became one of the oldest independent republics in the world, having been recognized as independent by Pope Urban VIII in 1631.
When it comes to sports, and especially football, San Marino hasn't been very successful. Since its founding in 1990, San Marino didn't win an international match until 2004 when they defeated Liechtenstein 1-0! San Marino has a developed industrial, service, and tourism economy. In particular, its economy is primarily based on traditional resources ( grapes, building stone ), postage stamp issuance, and especially tourism.
4. Tuvalu - 26km 2
Tuvalu, also known as the Ellice Islands , is an island nation located in the South Pacific, between Hawaii and Australia.
Tuvalu's total area, including reefs, atolls, and rainforests, is approximately 26 km² , making it the fourth smallest country in the world. Tuvalu comprises nine scattered and densely populated atolls. According to the January 2016 census, Tuvalu's population was less than 10,000, or about 384 people per km² .
The capital of the country is Funafuti , which boasts beautiful beaches that attract many visitors. The highest point in the country is only about 5 meters above sea level. Although the economy is primarily based on fishing and crop farming, Tuvalu's land is infertile and lacks mineral resources.
The government's main source of income comes from the sale of stamps and antique coins, and foreign currency sent back by workers. In 2010, Tuvalu was still a remote location with only 2,000 tourists, 65% of whom were businesspeople.
3. Nauru - 21km 2
The Republic of Nauru is a country in Micronesia, located in the South Pacific, and is the third largest island nation in the world. However, it is the smallest in the world. Nauru covers an area of 21 km² and has a population of 10,200 (2016). The island nation of Nauru was occupied by Japan during World War II and gained independence in 1968.
Despite its stunning scenery, Nauru faces a serious problem: unemployment, with only 10% of its population having stable employment. The country's economy relies heavily on fishing and mining. Furthermore, it is considered the island nation with the highest rates of obesity , affecting 97% of men and 93% of women.
2. Monaco - 2km 2
Monaco is an independent, sovereign state in Europe , the second smallest in the world by area, less than 2 km² ( 1.98 km² ) , larger only than Vatican City.
This country is bordered on three sides by France and on the other by the Mediterranean Sea, creating a stunning tropical landscape. The official language is French.
Although it is a country, Monaco has only 7 districts. According to researchers, the population of the country in 2016 was over 37,500 people on 1.98 km² . Nominally, Monaco has the highest population density and GDP per capita in the world. In addition, Monte Carlo is a famous city that attracts a large number of tourists every year.
Despite being a small principality situated next to the Mediterranean Sea, Monaco is one of the wealthiest and most luxurious countries in the world, far surpassing Dubai in terms of tradition and sophistication in spending.
1. Vatican City - 0.5 km 2
Located in Rome, Italy, the Vatican City is home to the Pope and many other religious figures . It is the world's smallest independent country, covering an area of only about 0.5 km² and situated entirely within the city of Rome.
With a population of 800, including cardinals, diplomats, gendarmes, Swiss Guards, and laypeople, but only 450 officially recognized nationalities, many citizens live elsewhere. The sovereignty of the Vatican City was recognized by the Italian government under the Lateran Treaty on February 11, 1929.
The Vatican is a unique non-commercial economy in the world, primarily driven by donations from Roman Catholics worldwide and income from the sale of stamps, publications, souvenirs, etc.