There are 197 countries in the world. The word "country" can easily be thought of as a vast land with a large population. However, some countries are so small that other countries' cities look like giants compared to them. These small countries are mainly distributed in Europe, the Caribbean and the Pacific. There are some countries in the world with an area of less than 400 square kilometers, and the smallest country is even less than 1 square kilometer. The total area of the 10 smallest countries in the world is 1,491.4 square kilometers, which is only slightly larger than the area of Mentougou District in Beijing (1,451 square kilometers). From European city-states to remote tropical islands to castle-lined valleys, here are the 10 smallest countries in the world by total land area.
1 Vatican City
Vatican City is the smallest nation-state in the world, also known as a city-state. It is also the world headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. Located in the center of Rome, Italy, this historic enclave is home to the Holy See, another name for the government of the Roman Catholic Church. The Pope is the head of this government and his authority extends to all Catholics throughout the world.
So, how small is this country? Vatican City actually covers less than one square kilometer and has a population of only 800 to 900 people. Yes, it is surprisingly small, only 0.44 square kilometers. As an independent country, Vatican City has its own post office, telephone system, banking system and radio station, among other national hallmarks. Its currency is the Vatican euro, which is now accepted throughout the eurozone .
2 Monaco
Monaco is a sovereign principality located on the Mediterranean coast, on the French Riviera. The French landmass surrounds Monaco, with the Mediterranean Sea on its east coast. Monaco is famous as a tax haven for the wealthy, but it is also geographically small, covering an area of about 2 square kilometers. Its main industry is tourism, with people flocking here to gamble in Monaco's famous casinos, lie on its luxurious beaches, go boating and watch racing events like the Monaco Grand Prix. The country has a strong banking, real estate, and financial sector and is ruled by Prince Albert-Alexander Louis-Pierre Grimaldi, also known as Prince Albert I. The Grimaldi family ruled Monaco on and off since the late 12th century.
3. Nauru
Located 25 miles south of the equator, Nauru is a raised coral island in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. The country covers about 20 square kilometers and has a population of between 12,000 and 13,000 people, many of whom are indigenous Nauruans . Nauru is generally considered one of the South Pacific's highly Westernized islands, with approximately four-fifths of the population claiming to be Christian, the result of missionaries arriving on the island in the late 19th century. Phosphate rock mining dominated Nauru's economy for much of the 20th century, with the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia operating the industry within Nauru's borders. Nauru imports almost all of its manufactured goods, food and even water from Australia. phosphate is their only export.
4. Tuvalu
Tuvalu is known as the sinking country. It consists of a coral archipelago in the central and western Pacific Ocean, about 676 kilometers long from northwest to southeast. Rising sea levels are slowly covering its land. This is both because global warming is causing water levels to rise, and because Tuvalu's corals are dying and the coastline is eroding into the sea. Scientists predict that the island nation will become habitable in the next 50 to 100 years. Ironically, the country is also now suffering from drought, and as the heat intensifies, the country can no longer sustain itself by growing crops on its land. Now, many of the country's population of approximately 211,500 choose to immigrate to neighboring countries such as New Zealand in search of a safer future.
5. San Marino
San Marino is a landlocked republic in central Italy, with approximately 33,785 San Marinos. Italian is the official language, and most people living there are Roman Catholics, although the country has no official religion. Tourism and agriculture are both important to this predominantly urban country.
Prominent social programs ensure that all citizens have access to high-quality health care, free education until adulthood, and even help them own their own homes. Surprisingly, San Marino's history dates back to before the Renaissance and is the remnant of an autonomous Italian city-state. It was originally a settlement for Christians fleeing Roman persecution.
6. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is located between Austria and Switzerland, with an area of about 160 square kilometers and a population of between 38,000 and 39,000. The Alps are the characteristics of this constitutional monarchy small country. Government-sponsored tourism is a major part of the country's economy, and foreign banks are known for maintaining client confidentiality.
7. Marshall Islands
Like the other island countries on this list, the Marshall Islands are coral atolls near the equator. The total area of these islands is over 1,000, covering only 181 square kilometers and home to approximately 58,500 people. The United States provides support to the Marshall Islands, controls the security and defense of the area, and uses the area as a military base and missile testing site. Like Tuvalu, the islands are sinking into the sea.
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis
As a tropical paradise, this small country is located in the eastern Caribbean Sea and covers an area of 261 square kilometers spread over two islands. Surrounded by coral reefs, most of the residents are of African origin. The sugarcane industry once dominated the country, but now tourism is the driving force. Both Britain and France have ruled the country at different times in history, but St. Kitts is now an independent member of the Commonwealth.
9. Maldives
The Maldives is another luxury tropical destination known for its incredible beaches, cityscapes, resorts and snorkeling. This country, located on the Indian Ocean between Indonesia and Africa, is the lowest country in the world at just 4 feet above sea level. The Maldives has 26 atolls and more than 1,100 islands, less than a third of which are inhabited. The Maldives has a population of over 500,000 and covers an area of 297 square kilometers.
10. Malta
If you like turbulent history, the Mediterranean, foreign rules and world wars strategic locations, and welcoming people, Malta is the place for you. Malta is an island country located in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. It has been ruled by Romans , Greeks, Arabs , Sicilians, French, British and so on. Malta joined the EU in 2004 and is now one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Shipbuilding and repair, finance, tourism, agriculture, fishing and manufacturing make up its diverse economy.
The world's smallest countries make up an interesting and diverse group. Many countries are located in tropical areas far from the ocean, but some are landlocked countries formed on small patches of land in the mountains or along the coastline. In the modern world, these small spaces tenaciously maintain their independence and preserve their ancient history.
Source: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/the-smallest-countries-in-the-world-by-total-land-area.html
