What is the smallest country in the world? You might be surprised by the answer! While nations like Belgium may seem small on a global scale, they are giants compared to the true microstates. Discover the fascinating realm of the world's ten smallest countries, ranked by their total land area. Prepare to be amazed by their diminutive size and unique characteristics.
While Russia claims the title of the largest country with its vast 17,098,242 square kilometers, the ten nations on this list occupy a fraction of that space. Let's explore these incredible microstates:
10. Malta - 316 km² (Population Density)
Home to its capital Valletta, Malta consists of four inhabited islands, the largest being Malta itself, alongside five tiny, uninhabited isles. As the tenth smallest country in the world, Malta is also one of the most densely populated, showcasing a remarkable population density with over 405,000 residents within its compact area.
9. Maldives - 300 km² (Island Nation)
An archipelago of approximately 1,190 coral islands clustered into 26 atolls, the Maldives ranks among the smallest countries in the world. While its islands are scattered across roughly 90,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean, the total land territory of this stunning island nation is a mere 300 square kilometers – a true tropical paradise in a small package.
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis - 261 km² (Smallest in the Americas)
Nestled in the Caribbean Sea, Saint Kitts and Nevis is a very small country with a significant distinction: it is the smallest country on the American continent and the entire Western Hemisphere. This two-island federation is home to a population of just around 40,000 people.
7. Marshall Islands - 181 km² (Pacific Archipelago)
Located in the central Pacific Ocean, south of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands form an archipelago consisting of 29 atolls and over 1,100 individual islands scattered across the vast Pacific.
6. Liechtenstein - 160 km² (European Microstate)
The fourth smallest country in Europe, Liechtenstein also claims the spot as the sixth smallest globally. This European microstate is notable for having more registered companies than inhabitants, largely due to its status as a tax haven.
5. San Marino - 61 km² (World's Oldest Republic)
Holding the title of the world's oldest surviving state and constitutional republic, San Marino is home to a population of only about 30,000. This makes it the smallest member of the Council of Europe in terms of population size, despite being the fifth smallest country by land area.
4. Tuvalu - 26 km² (Polynesian Archipelago)
This Polynesian archipelago in the Pacific Ocean is the fourth smallest country in the world. With a population of approximately 10,500, Tuvalu is one of the least populous nations globally, consisting of five atolls encompassing a total of around one hundred islets.
3. Nauru - 21 km² (Smallest Island Republic)
The third smallest country in the world, Nauru also holds the titles of the world's smallest island republic and the smallest island state. Its land area is remarkably small, roughly half the size of a modest-sized European island.
2. Monaco - 1.98 km² (Highest Population Density)
The city-state of Monaco, with a population exceeding 35,500, boasts the world's highest population density. The second smallest country in the world, Monaco is unique in many ways, known for its high life expectancy, status as a tax haven, the world's highest price per square meter, and a significant number of millionaires and billionaires per capita.
1. Vatican City - 0.44 km² (The World's Smallest)
With an area of a mere 44 hectares (0.44 square kilometers), Vatican City size makes it significantly the smallest country in the world. Also measured by population – around 830 people – Vatican City holds the title of the world's least populous nation and stands as a truly unique sovereign entity.
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