Smallest Countries in The World: There are about 250 officially recognized independent countries in the modern world. In this host, there are giant states with huge areas and large populations. Such countries include, for example, the Russian Federation and the People’s Republic of China. Along with them, there are very tiny states, occupying small areas and with a very small population.
Dwarf countries have significant differences among themselves: some are rich and prosperous, others are poor and with difficult living conditions. They are united by the fact that, despite their size, they try to be independent and want to provide their citizens with the best conditions for life. It should be noted that this does not always work out, but independent countries are in no hurry to part with their sovereignty.
Top 10 Smallest Countries in The World
However, sometimes it happens that it is precisely such small states that play a significant role in world politics. An example is the Vatican, which houses the Holy See and is where the spiritual leader of all Catholics around the globe comes from. Our ranking contains basic information about the smallest countries in the world.
10. Grenada (344 km²)
Grenada is a small island nation in the Caribbean Sea. It covers an area of 344 km². The population is 89,502 people, the official language is English, the form of government is a constitutional monarchy, and the capital city is St. George’s. The country is a member of the British Commonwealth.
The Grenada Islands appeared on the map at the end of the 15th century thanks to the discoveries of Columbus. Grenada is developing the food and textile industries, tourism, and offshore financial activities. Offshore services bring in $7.4 million annually. Cultivated in the country, avocados, citrus fruits, bananas, and nutmeg are exported. Imports Grenada fuel, food, and other products.
9. Maldives (298 km²)
The Maldives is in ninth place in our ranking of the smallest countries in the world. They are located in the Indian Ocean on an archipelago of 1100 islands and cover an area of 298 km². The population is 393,000 people, the main language is Maldivian. The state is governed by the president, and the capital of the country is Male.
The main income to the state treasury comes from the service sector and tourism. The Maldives has the best resorts, famous for its unique climate, pristine beaches, underwater caves for diving, and an abundance of unusual animals.
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis (261 km²)
In the Caribbean, there is a small federal state of Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is located on an area of 261 km² and occupies two islands. The population is 49,898 people. The country belongs to the British Commonwealth and is formally headed by the Queen of England. The main language is English. The capital is the city of Baster. In the Western Hemisphere, Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest dwarf country.
Due to the tropical climate, the islands have a large number of exotic plants and a variety of animals. 70% of state revenue comes from the tourism sector. The main crop cultivated in the country is sugar cane. In order to replenish the treasury, the state sells citizenship for 250-450 thousand dollars. Rich and famous people can buy it. So, the creator of the social network “Vkontakte” Pavel Durov is already a citizen of the state of Saint Kitts and Nevis.
7. Marshall Islands (181 km²)
The Marshall Islands are the seventh smallest country in the world. They are located in the Pacific Ocean on 5 islands and 29 atolls. They occupy an area of 181 km². The population is 55,000 people. Marshal and English are considered the main languages, the president controls the country, and the capital city is Majuro. The climatic conditions in the state are diverse: in the south – the tropics, in the north – semi-desert. Reservoirs with fresh water are rare. The archipelago is characterized by stormy windy weather.
Both the flora and fauna of the country have been significantly changed by nuclear tests conducted by the Americans in the postwar years. The main plant for the islanders is the coconut palm. They feed on it, use it as wood, and send it for export. In the coastal waters of the ocean, a lot of fish and corals are mined.
The tourism business is actively developing in the Marshall Islands. Due to low taxes, the Marshall Islands are an offshore zone for global capital.
6. Liechtenstein (160 km²)
Liechtenstein is located in the center of Europe. It is located on an area of 160 km² and is adjacent to the Swiss and Austrian lands. The population in the country is 38,114 people. The means of communication between people is the German language, there is a monarchical government, and the capital city is Vaduz.
All the main attractions of the Principality of Liechtenstein are concentrated in the capital. Nature has created unusually beautiful places in this country. There are wonderful mountain landscapes, cut by streams, and the largest river Rhine, reaching in some places up to 50 meters wide. Mountainous areas give way to picturesque alpine meadows.
Liechtenstein is a state with a high degree of economic growth. This is one of the well-known financial centers, with a developed banking sector. The country has created many jobs in the field of precision instrumentation. The standard of living of the population has been raised very high – GDP reaches $141,000 per person. Liechtenstein, despite its size, occupies a significant place in the politics and economy of the whole world.
5. San Marino (61 km2)
The small country of San Marino is located next to Italy. It occupies an area of 61 km², the population is 33,000 people. The means of communication in the country is the Italian language, the governing body is the Parliament of the Republic, the capital is San Marino.
The state was founded in the 4th century, it was named after the founder saint of San Marino. 80% of the country is occupied by rocky terrain. The settlements are scattered on the slopes of the UNESCO-listed Monte Titano. San Marino is not part of NATO and the EU. The country has developed industrial production, tourism business, and services.
4. Tuvalu (26 km²)
In the Pacific Ocean is the small island country of Tuvalu. Its area is 26 km². The population is 11,052 people, the official language is Tuvalu and English, the form of government is monarchical, and the capital is Funafuti. Tuvalu is located on an archipelago consisting of five atolls and four islands. The distance over which the islands are dispersed is 350 km. One of the other islands can be 100 km away.
Climatic conditions are difficult, the rainy season is replaced by a dry season. Often there are tropical cyclones that destroy everything in their path. The flora is not rich, represented by coconut palms, breadfruit trees, and bananas. Animals are mainly introduced by humans (cats, dogs, pigs). Agriculture, fishing, and construction are developed in the country. Frozen fish and copra are exported. Tuvalu is one of the poorest countries in the world.
3. Nauru (21 km²)
A dwarf state located on a Pacific coral island is Nauru. Its area is 21 km², and the population is 11,359 people. The main languages are Nauruan and English, the country is governed by the Parliament, and the largest city is Yaren. There is no official capital city in Nauru.
The island is quite hot and humid. There are dry years. The main problem is the lack of fresh water. The island is extremely poor in flora and fauna, like Tuvalu. The state treasury is replenished by the extraction of phosphorites, but their reserves are decreasing, and with them, the well-being of the people is also falling. The ecological system of the island is heavily polluted by waste from the mining of phosphorites. For this reason, the tourism business in the country is not developing.
2. Monaco (2.02 km2)
European dwarf state Monaco. Neighbors with France-occupied area – 2.02 km². The population is 37,863 people. The business language and means of communication is French. The administration of the state is monarchical, the main city is Monaco.
The country is famous for the gaming area of the resort town of Monte Carlo, as well as the holding of the Formula 1 championship, the Monaco Grand Prix, in these places. The main means of replenishing the treasury is the tourism business, construction, and real estate. Monaco has low taxes and many rich people trust their savings to local banks. 82 people serve in the regular troops of the Principality of Monaco (three people less than in the regimental band).
1. Vatican (0.44 km²)
The smallest country in the world is the Vatican. Occupied area – 0.44 km², population – 1000 people. The state is located in Rome and is the center of government of the Catholic Church. The main languages are Italian and Latin, and the government of the country is a theocratic monarchist.
The Pope concentrates all power in his hands. Under his leadership, laws are issued and their implementation is monitored. It also performs the functions of the judicial body of the state. Many institutions of government, due to the small area of the country, are located on Roman territory.
The Vatican does not produce anything but exists at the expense of donations, tourism, and the service sector. Money is transferred to the country from Catholics around the world, and a large number of tourists come.
The state treasury is replenished with funds from visits to magnificent art museums, and from the sale of souvenirs and literature. The Vatican cooperates with the UN, makes great efforts to maintain peace on earth and, if possible, tries to resolve military conflicts.
- Eurasia: the smallest state is the Vatican. Its area is 0.44 km².
- Africa: The smallest state is Seychelles. Its area is 455 km².
- North America: The smallest state is Saint Kitts and Nevis. Its area is 261 km².
- South America: The smallest state is Suriname. Its area is 163,821 km².
According to some members of society, the Order of Malta deserves the title of “the smallest country in the world.” The Knightly Order is a state-like formation with an area of 0.012 km². To participate in the ranking, he has all the state attributes required for this, however, there is no unity in the recognition of the Order of Malta by the world community.
