In the school geography curriculum, unfortunately, interesting geographical facts of our planet are practically not studied, but there are so many of them: colorful beaches or lakes, giant or small countries, the highest or lowest points of the earth's surface and much more. That’s why many children, and then adults, have no desire to travel to see something interesting with their own eyes.
In this article you will learn about the 10 smallest countries in the whole world based on the area they occupy.
- Order of Malta. This is the smallest country in Europe and the whole world in terms of area - only 0.012 km² (these are two buildings in Rome). The Order of Malta is not recognized by all countries of the world as an independent full-fledged state, but all members of the order are considered its citizens (12.5 thousand people), it issues passports, has its own currency and stamps.
- . The most famous small country in the world, located, like the Order of Malta, in Rome. The Vatican's territory, less than one square kilometer (0.44 km²), is home to just 826 people, but 100 of them serve in the Swiss Guard, which protects its borders. It is the residence of the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope, and therefore, despite its small size, enjoys great political influence.
- Monaco. This small country in southern Europe is the most densely populated among mini-countries: over 20 thousand people live here per 1 km². Monaco's only neighbor is France. The peculiarity of this country is that there are five times more visitors than the indigenous population.
- Gibraltar. Located on the southern side of the Iberian Peninsula, on a formidable rocky promontory connected to the mainland by a very narrow isthmus of sand. Although its history was very closely connected with Great Britain, it is now a completely independent state. The entire area of this state is 6.5 km², with an average population density for Europe.
- Nauru. Nauru is the smallest island country in Oceania, located on the coral island of the same name in the western Pacific Ocean, with an area of 21 km² and a population of slightly more than 9 thousand people. It is the only state in the world without an official capital.
- Tuvalu. This Pacific state is located on 9 coral islands (atolls) with a total area of 26 km², population - 10.5 thousand people. It is a very poor country that is at risk of disappearing due to rising water levels and coastal erosion.
- Pitcairn. Located on five islands of the Pacific Ocean, only one of which is inhabited, and is considered the country with the smallest population - only 48 people.
- . A European state located on the slope of Mount Titan and surrounded on all sides by Italy, with an area of 61 km² and a population of 32 thousand people. It is considered one of the oldest states in Europe.
- Liechtenstein. The area of this mini-state with a population of 29 thousand people is 160 km². It is located between Switzerland and Austria, in the Alps. Liechtenstein is a highly developed industrial country engaged in the export of various products and with a high standard of living.
- Marshall Islands. This is an entire archipelago consisting of coral reefs and islets, with a total area of 180 km² and a population of 52 thousand people. Until 1986, it was a British colony, but is now an independent state, popular with tourists.
Having introduced you to the 10 smallest countries in the world, I would like to add that a big advantage of living in these countries is the government’s constant concern for its citizens.
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The smallest countries in the world 🗺
You and I live in huge countries. But there are also small countries on earth. Moreover, although they are small in size, some of them are quite significant and authoritative.
Of the 10 smallest countries, two are located in the Caribbean, four are in Europe, one is in Asia and three are in Oceania. There are four more countries on the continent, 3 of which do not even have access to the sea, and six tiny countries are located on islands. For such countries, livelihoods are vital.
Country Vatican
The smallest state is with an area of 0.44 square kilometers, located inside the territory of Rome. The Vatican is a state associated with Italy. Population - 836 people. The Vatican employs the strongest apparatus of the entire Roman Catholic Church with a large number of followers around the world. He receives all his finances from donations from Catholics on a voluntary basis. He also sells stamps, books and part of the money comes from tourists. There is no tax in the Vatican.
Country Monaco
The second smallest country is considered to be with an area of 1.96 km². Moreover, there are 23,660 inhabitants per square kilometer. The country is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and has about 30 thousand inhabitants. The main income for residents comes from tourism. Monaco is located on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Country Nauru
Nauru- a state located on a coral island in the western Pacific Ocean with an area of 21 km². Population - 9,322 people. Nauru is the world's smallest independent republic, the smallest island state, the smallest state in Oceania, the smallest state outside Europe, and the world's only republic without an official capital. The state of Nauru does not have an army.
Country Tuvalu
A Pacific country located on 5 atolls and 4 islands. The total area is 26 km². Population - 10,544 people. Due to the lack of natural resources, Tuvalu has to rely on help from other countries. This country is one of the poorest countries in the world and would have been even poorer if the country’s leadership had not thought of putting the national domain zone .tv up for auction and a buyer was quickly found, because zone.tv is a tasty morsel for television companies and video sites. Now Tuvalu receives $1 million every quarter in exchange for the right to use the domain zone.tv
Country San Marino
A state surrounded on all sides by Italy. Its area is 61 km², population - 32,075 people. Most of the population is engaged in agriculture, growing grapes, fruits, corn and livestock. But the main source of income is tourism. San Marino is one of the richest countries in the world, its income exceeds its expenses.
Country Liechtenstein
A state in Central Europe associated with Switzerland. Area - 160.4 km², population - 35,870 people. has no access to the sea. One of the richest countries in the world, the main income comes from a large flow of tourists.
Pacific state associated with the United States. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is located on 29 atolls and 5 islands, with a total area of 181 km² and a population of 68,000 people.
- an archipelago consisting of 15 islands. The State of the Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. Area - 236 km², population - 19,569 people, of which almost 80% are on the island of Rarotonga. The basis of the economy is tourism.
A state in the eastern Caribbean, between North and South America. Consists of two islands - Saint Kitts and Nevis, with a total area of 261 square meters. km. These were the first islands settled by Europeans. The main source of income is, of course, tourism, but agriculture and offshore banking are also developed here.
Country Maldives
The island country is located in the Indian Ocean and is the smallest Asian country in terms of area. Includes approximately 1,190 coral islands with a total area of 298 square meters. km, population 396 thousand. Two-thirds of the population lives in the country's capital, Male. Previously, the country developed thanks to the export of dried tuna, cowrie shellfish and coconut ropes, now the main income comes from tourism.
Sealand State
All these countries are recognized by the international community, but there is a state that, in terms of area and population, can rightfully be considered the smallest in the world. This state is ( Sealand), with an area of 500 square meters. It is a concrete platform with dimensions of 30 by 10 meters. The platform is located outside the three-mile zone in the North Sea, which means it is in neutral waters.
Roy Bates took advantage of this in the 70s and officially occupied this area. Roy proclaimed himself king, his wife queen, and the state proclaimed a monarchy and settled down with all his loyal subjects in his state. But he did not think to stop there; in 1975, Roy issued a constitution and a national currency.
The platform was originally created during the Second World War as a base for the British Army, but was subsequently abandoned, which was used by British Army Major Roy Bates to host a pirate radio station and, to avoid trial, officially declared the independence of Sealand.
Two years later, Britain attempted to occupy the state, but Roy fired several warning shots into the air. A lawsuit was brought against Roy, as an English citizen. But justice triumphed, the court delivered a historically important verdict, it recognized that the case was outside the jurisdiction of Great Britain. In 2002, the population of Sealand was 27 people. However, only a guard permanently lives on the territory of Sealand.
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Almost everyone knows that the smallest state in the world is the Vatican. Its area is 0.44 km², and its population is about 1000 people. Due to the fact that the Vatican is located on continental territory, a logical question arises, which is the smallest of the island states. I will answer that.
Smallest island state
The top position on the list of smallest island countries belongs to Nauru. This country is located on the coral island of the same name. Its area is only 21.3 km². About 10,000 people live in this territory. A fun fact is that Nauru does not have an official capital. The population of the island's largest city is about 800 inhabitants.
I’ll touch on the history of the country a little:
- The island became known to Europeans in 1798 thanks to English sailors.
- The first European settlers here were deserters and escaped convicts.
- During two world wars the island was under occupation (by Australian and Japanese troops).
- An independent state was proclaimed here in 1968.
Level of development of the smallest island country
A few decades ago, Nauru was considered a rich country. Financial well-being was ensured through the export of phosphorites. But when the deposits were exhausted, it turned out that the created reserves were extremely insufficient. Mining of phosphorites caused enormous damage to the local ecology. Large areas of the island began to resemble a lunar landscape.
In the 1990-2000s. They tried to improve the welfare of Nauru by declaring the country an offshore zone and through the mass sale of passports to foreigners. But under external pressure, all this had to be abandoned. The main current source of funding is Australian cash injections. To a large extent, this is a payment for environmental problems that have arisen due to the activities of Australian phosphorite miners.
As for tourism, it is poorly developed here due to the same environmental troubles. It is noteworthy that Russians wishing to visit the island do not require a visa.
There are countries in this world that boast large populations, but how hard it is to believe that there are also some countries that are quite small. Most people prefer to live in such places because it is cozy and relaxing. They don't have to worry about hundreds of people running around, and in small countries, crime rates are lower because a criminal can't hide in a large crowd. Listed below are the ten smallest countries in the world.
10. Grenada
Famous for the spices that this island has. If you're wondering where nutmeg came from, this is where it comes from. The country is not the smallest, but there is quite a small amount of space. It's so beautiful here and it's a great place to come if you know how to get there or take a boat and then they'll pick you up when you're done. The most popular sport here is cricket. This is the main sport on the island. The area of the island is only three hundred and forty-four square meters. km.
9. Malta
This is one of the countries that ended up on this list due to its size. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The country occupies three small islands. In total, four hundred and fifty thousand people live on three islands. If you look into history, you will see that Malta is at least 7,000 years old. There are amazing beaches to behold, as well as plenty of sunny days and a comfortable environment. It's nice to come to these tiny islands and get to know them.
8. Maldives
This place is small, but filled with housing and people. There is water all around and you can go to the beach at any time if you live near one of them and not in the center of the island. If you are in the center, then it will take several hours to leave the island. The Maldives is an independent country, it became such in 1965, and nothing has changed since then.
This amazing place is interesting to visit or live here. You'll love the water around you and the amenities throughout the country that make it so amazing. The trees growing here are simply beautiful and allow you to hide in their shade. The country is made up of two islands, but whichever one you go to will be beautiful and relaxing. Sit in a chair and catch some rays, you can do that most of the time you're here.
6. Liechtenstein
If you look at the local hills, you will see houses that look like castles. If you are lucky enough to live in one of them, you will be able to look down on the cities and feel like a queen or king. Just live your life the way you want, spend more time with your family, and not spend all your time working. The country is located in Switzerland. They have the lowest unemployment rate, so you have to find a job and keep it, because they know that people need jobs, not lack of pay.
5. San Marino
All the houses here are similar. Even though the country is small, you will be able to find a job quickly as there are always many jobs available. The country is home to about thirty thousand people, a number that can sometimes rise or fall rapidly. There are beautiful green meadows and trees, among which it will be pleasant to walk or hike almost every day. It is one of the most prosperous places to live due to its low unemployment rate.
4. Tuvalu
About ten thousand people live here. There is only one hospital in Tuvalu, so if you need medical help, you know where to look. About two thousand people visit the country every year. This is according to 2010 data. Most of them come on business, others just to see the country. Most people come on business, so they stay here for a short time. Tuvalu looks like a bunch of trees, so no one knows anything about the island.
3. Nauru
This country is located off the east coast of Australia and in the 80s. it was one of the most popular places for phosphate mining. Now it is a quiet place that tourists do not even think about visiting. The unemployment rate here is ninety percent, and only 10 percent of the people work for the government. It also has the highest number of overweight people, with almost equal numbers of men and women. Most people suffer from type 2 diabetes due to the problem of obesity.
2. Monaco
This country has the most rich people in the world. She is also very popular with celebrities. France neighbors Monaco, and on all other sides the principality is surrounded by the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The majority of local residents speak French as their native language, and the population is more than thirty-six thousand people, so this country ranks second on the list of smallest countries.
1. Vatican 
This country is the smallest that has ever existed and is also called the Holy See. The Vatican is located right in the center of the city of Rome. This country is home to the largest church in the world - St. Peter's Basilica. Here you will find the best works of art, such as the Pieta icon. To survive, the country receives financial assistance from members of the Catholic Church. There are a total of one billion members, which is enough for financial support. The rest of the economic injection comes from money coming from the sale of postage stamps, money paid by museum visitors, and money tourists spend on small trinkets and souvenirs.
These are the Top 10 smallest countries in the world 2017. Each of them would be a great place to go on holiday where you want to relax and get some peace and carefree doing nothing alone or with your partner. If you plan to live in one of these countries, then that's great. The locals are friendly and the sights are great.
Do you think you know geography? What are the smallest countries in the world? Could you name them? Or could you point them out on the map? Or maybe you've never even heard of them? We think that not many people will be able to list even several of these countries at once. This is not surprising, since the UN currently recognizes more than 192 independent states. Therefore, we want to remind you of them and present a ranking of the smallest countries in the world.
Malta
The Republic of Malta consists of three large and several tiny islands, which are located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of the coast of Sicily. The two small islands of Gozo and Comino are sparsely populated, but the main island, Malta, has modern and vibrant urban areas. Malta gained independence from Great Britain in 1964 and has since become a member of the European Union. The capital of Malta is Valleta, with a population of more than 452,000 people; the area of this small country is only 316 km².
The Republic of Maldives, better known as the Maldives or Maldives. It is located on the southwestern coast of India, in the waters of the Indian Ocean, and consists of many islands. The Republic of Maldives is the smallest Muslim country in Asia, with an area of only 298 km² and a population of just over 324,000 people. The capital is the city of Male. The Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. In 1965, Britain granted independence to the Maldives, and in 1968 it became a republic.
This is the smallest state in the Western Hemisphere, not only in terms of area, which is 261 km², but also in terms of population, only about 50 thousand people. The state consists of two islands - Saint Kitts and Nevis, located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. St. Kitts and Nevis is now heavily dependent on tourism, but boasts the largest electrical industry in the Caribbean. It gained independence and the name Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis in 1983. The capital is the city of Basseterre.
This Pacific nation consists of 29 atolls and 5 isolated islands in Micronesia. The area is only 181 km², the population is more than 60,000 people, the capital is Majuro. During its history, the Marshall Islands were part of the Spanish, German and Japanese empires. During World War II, the United States liberated the islands from Japan, but they did not gain independence and remained largely under US jurisdiction until 1986.
Liechtenstein is a small country in the center of Europe, located on the border between Switzerland and Austria, which completely surround it. It is one of the few countries that does not have an airport, but does have a small heliport. The nearest international airport is Zurich, Switzerland. The country has a thriving tourism industry and winter sports. Known as a tax haven (due to its low taxes) for many large businesses from all over Europe. There are even more such enterprises than the inhabitants themselves in the country, and there are about 35,000 people, the country’s area is only 160.4 km², the capital is Vaduz.
San Marino
The Republic of San Marino is in fifth place in the ranking of the smallest countries in the world. It is a city-state located in Europe, on the border of Italy, which completely surrounds it. It is the oldest sovereign state in the world, as well as the oldest republic. Adopted in 1600, it is the oldest national constitution in the world. San Marino is also one of the least populated countries in Europe, with just over 31,000. Area of only 61 km², the capital of San Marino.
Tuvalu
Tuvalu is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean, consisting of four islands and five atolls. It is the fourth smallest country in the world. Tuvalu has virtually no natural resources except for fish and agriculture. As a result, Tuvalu is largely dependent on foreign aid, which the country receives from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States in particular. However, significant cash proceeds come from the sale of the national top-level domain (.tv). Tuvalu gained independence from Britain in 1978. The area is only 26 km², the population is about 10 thousand people, the capital is Funafuti.
Nauru
The Republic of Nauru (formerly Pleasant Island) is a tiny island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, close to the island nation of Kiribati. It is the smallest independent republic in the world, the smallest island state, the smallest state outside Europe, and the only republic in the world that does not have an official capital. In 1999, the Republic was admitted to the UN. The area is only 21.3 km², the population is about 9,300 people.
Second place in the list of the smallest countries in the world is occupied by the Principality of Monaco, located in the south of Europe, on the shores of the Ligurian Sea, bordering France. The Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco since 1297. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with 17,814.85 people/km². Known all over the world, primarily for the casino in Monte Carlo and the Formula 1 championship “Grand Prix of Monaco”. The country's area is only 2.02 km², the population is about 36,000 people, the capital is Monaco.
The smallest country in the world is the Vatican. It is a religious complex surrounded by an enclave wall. It is a sovereign independent state with the Pope as monarch. The Vatican is located in the center of Rome, next to St. Peter's Square. The Pope also holds the title of Bishop of Rome and resides in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The state attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. The Vatican has its own police force known as the Corpo. It also has its own military personnel and the Swiss Guard, although their official purpose is to protect the Pope and the Holy See (of the Roman Catholic Church), and not the Vatican State itself. Area only 0.44 km², population about 840 people, capital Vatican.
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