Exploring the Top 10 Smallest Countries in the World

Which country is the smallest in the world? Surface area or even population, among other variables, can determine the size of a country.

There are numerous sizes and shapes of countries. According to the surface area, some of the smallest countries in the world include. The Vatican City, Maldives, and San Marino.

Can’t wait to discover the world’s smallest countries? Here’s a full countdown.

The Vatican City 0.44km² (517 people)

Vatican City is famous for housing mostly the Pope and his ministers, and its population is estimated to be around 517

In terms of both population and land size, Vatican City is the smallest independent country in the world. The land area of the country located inside Rome is 0.44 km2.

In 1929, the same year that Roman Catholicism received special status in Italy, Vatican City was established. The Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Square, and St. Peter’s Basilica are some of their well-known features, in addition to serving as the Pope’s residence and a place of sacred pilgrimage.

Monaco 2km² (36,313 people)

With a total geographical area of only 2 km2, Monaco is the world’s second-smallest independent state after Vatican City.

Monaco is the most densely inhabited country in the world, making it a standout among the other little nations on this list due to its size.

Monaco, a playground for the wealthy and famous, is known for its casinos and Formula One Grand Prix. However, the principality is arguably best known for the union of actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, whose son, Prince Albert, is still the ruler.

Nauru 21km² (12,769 people)

The population of Nauru is 12,769 people. Not second, as some might have you believe, but the third-smallest country in the world by population.

Nauru is a little island in Oceania that is located south of the Marshall Islands. There are 21 km2 of land there altogether. This places it as the smallest island nation and republic, as well as the third-smallest country in terms of land area.

After some difficult economic years, Nauru developed as a sort of tax refuge until 2005. In 1968, following a Japanese occupation during the Second World War, it gained independence.

Tuvalu 26km² (11,387 people)

The island nation of Tuvalu, formerly referred to as the Ellice Islands is located in the Polynesian subregion of Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. Its islands are located roughly in the middle of Hawaii and Australia.

The population of Tuvalu is 11,204 as of 2021. The Tuvaluan islands have a total land area of 26 square kilometers (10 square miles).

The nation depends largely on imports and fishing for sustenance because the islands don’t have much soil. The licensing of fishing rights to foreign firms, grants and aid initiatives, and remittances from Tuvaluan seafarers who work on cargo ships to their families are significant components of the economy.

The country is highly vulnerable to sea level rise brought on by climate change because it is a small, low-lying island nation. The Alliance of Small Island States actively participates in international climate negotiations.

San Marino 61km² (33,644 people)

The total land area of San Marino is 61 km2. It ranks behind Monaco and Vatican City as the third-smallest nation in Europe.

The nation is perhaps best recognized for being the base of European football, usually listed by FIFA as the worst men’s team in the world.

In addition to football, San Marino is renowned for its medieval architecture and its claim to be the oldest republic in the world.

Liechtenstein 62km² (38,749 people)

Between Austria and Switzerland in the Alps, Liechtenstein is a German-speaking, doubly landlocked nation. It ranks as the sixth-smallest nation in the world. 

With an area of slightly over 160 square kilometers (62 square miles) and a population of 38,749 (as of 2019), it is the fourth-smallest country in Europe. Its capital is Vaduz, and Schaan is the largest of its eleven municipalities. 

In Vaduz, the nation’s banking sector is strong. It was originally recognized as a shelter for billionaires, but it is no longer included on any official lists of nations that don’t cooperate with tax authorities. 

The Marshall Islands 181km² (42,050 people)

The Republic of the Marshall Islands, also known as the Marshall Islands is an island republic in the Pacific Ocean close to Guam and just west of the International Date Line. 

The country’s 42,050 inhabitants are dispersed throughout five islands and 29 coral atolls, which together make up 1,156 distinct islands and islets.

Majuro is the nation’s capital and largest city. Its area is made up of more water than any other sovereign state, with a percentage of 97.87%. 

Saint Kitts and Nevis 261km² (50,000 people)

The two islands of Saint Kitts and Nevis, which are both situated in the West Indies, in the Leeward Islands chain of the Lesser Antilles, make up Saint Kitts and Nevis, officially the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis.

In terms of both population and land, it is the smallest sovereign federation in the entire world. Charles III, the nation’s monarch and head of state, is a member of the Commonwealth. In the Caribbean, it is the only federation with sovereign status.

The Maldives 120²  (557,751 people)

The South Asian country and an island chain known as the Maldives are located in the Indian Ocean.

The Maldives is a tiny nation in Asia, one of the least populous nations in Asia, and one of the most geographically dispersed sovereign entities in the world.

It has about 557,751 people, making it the second least populous nation in Asia. The main city and its capital are Malé, which is also known as the “King’s Island” because of its strategic location and past domination by royal families.

It is the lowest-lying country in the world, with an average elevation of 1.5 meters (4 feet 11 inches) above sea level and a maximum natural point of only 2.4 meters (7 feet 10 inches).

Malta 122km² (550,000 people)

Malta takes the final spot on the list of the ten smallest nations in the world. This cluster of islands with a history and a remarkable fusion of cultures is located in the middle of the Mediterranean.

It is a land with stunning cliffs, beaches, and rock formations shaped by the wind and sea in addition to cathedrals, forts, and exquisite palaces.

The majority of its residents, who live in the cities of Valletta, the capital, Cospicua, Senglea, and Vittoriosa, take enjoyment in nature.

Conclusion

The Vatican City is the world’s smallest country. It is a nation-state in Rome, Italy, and is where the Roman Catholic Church’s world headquarters are situated.

Other small countries such as Maldives, Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Monaco among others made it to the list as well. They are the world’s tiniest countries in terms of area and population.