Top 10 Smallest Countries In The World
A list of the 10 smallest countries in The World by total land area. Some of the coziest nations, islands, and places on the planet.
With over 194 nations in the world, it’s easy to imagine that the term “country” refers to a large land area occupied by a sizable population. Some countries, however, are so small that cities within neighboring countries become dwarfs in contrast. Many countries have an area of less than 400 square kilometers and are largely found in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. The world’s ten smallest nations encompass a combined area of 1491.4 km2, which is less than the size of Houston, Texas (1625.2 km²). These little countries are among the richest, most secluded, and most intriguing in the world. Let us now examine the world’s 10 smallest countries, as assessed by the United Nations Statistics Division.
10. Malta – 316 km²
Malta is an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Gozo, Comino, and Malta, the largest of the three islands, comprise the Maltese Republic. This little country has a population of over 450,000 people, making it one of the most densely populated countries on the planet. Visitors from all over the world come to enjoy Malta’s warm weather, stunning beaches, rich history, and vibrant nightlife. Malta is the tenth-smallest country in the world, with a land area of 316 square kilometers.
9. Maldives – 300 km²
In terms of size and population, the Maldives, a popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, is Asia’s smallest country. The Maldives is one of the world’s most scattered countries, with around 1,192 coral islands spread across 90,000 square kilometers. Initially a colony of numerous empires, including the Portuguese, Dutch, and British, the country obtained independence in 1965. The Maldives today has a strong tourist industry because to its gorgeous white sand beaches and crystal blue waters. With a total land area of 300 square kilometers, the Maldives is the world’s ninth smallest nation.
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis – 261 km²
These two Caribbean islands, known as the Mother Colony of the West Indies, were among the first to be colonized by Europeans. Saint Kitts and Nevis is the eighth smallest country in the world, with a total size of 261 square kilometers. Tourism, agriculture, and light manufacturing drive the economy. The islands also provide great diving possibilities due to the richness of aquatic life. The massive plantations, which were a major sugar exporter for years, are now beautiful estates that have been converted into hotels and resorts.
7. Marshall Islands – 181 km²
The Marshall Islands, officially known as the nation of the Marshall Islands, is a Pacific Ocean island nation located nearly halfway between Hawaii and Australia. It is considered to be in Micronesia. The ecology around the islands is very biodiverse, with over 800 different varieties of fish and 160 different types of coral. There are also more shipwrecks in the area surrounding the Marshall Islands. With an area of 181 square kilometers, the Marshall Islands are the world’s seventh smallest country.
6. Liechtenstein – 160 km²
This German-speaking country is the only one on the planet that is completely encircled by the Alps. Liechtenstein, located between Switzerland and Austria, has the highest GDP per capita in the world and the lowest unemployment rate (1.5%). There is no airport within the country’s borders, making entry impossible. To reach this Alpine monarchy ruled by a prince, visitors must travel into Zurich Airport in Switzerland! With an area of 160 square kilometers, Liechtenstein is the world’s sixth smallest country.
5. San Marino – 61 km²
San Marino is sometimes known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino since it is bordered by Italy. With 61 square kilometers, it is the world’s fifth smallest country. It claims to be the world’s oldest surviving sovereign state and one of the richest by GDP per capita. It is Europe’s third-smallest country, with a population of under 30,000 people and one of the world’s lowest unemployment rates.
4. Tuvalu – 26 km²
Tuvalu, originally known as the Ellice Islands, is a Pacific Ocean island republic northeast of Australia. Tuvalu, with a land area of approximately 26 square kilometers, is the world’s fourth-smallest country.On the main island, there are around 10,000 persons, 8 kilometers of roads, and just one hospital. The nation was a British colony until 1978, when it attained independence. Because of the country’s isolated location, tourism is not very significant. Tuvalu attracted less than 2,000 visitors in 2010, with business accounting for 65% of them.
READ MORE: Top 10 Most Beautiful Countries in the World
3. Nauru – 21 km²
Nauru is the world’s smallest island country, an island republic located east of Australia. It was formerly known for its large phosphate mining industry, but it is now a tranquil island off the tourist trail. Pleasant Island’s phosphate resources have now been depleted, resulting in a national unemployment rate of 90%, with the government hiring the remaining 10%. Nauru is also known as the world’s most obese country, with 97% of males and 93% of females obese or overweight. As a result, Nauru has the world’s highest rate of type 2 diabetes, with 40% of the population affected. Nauru has a land area of 21 square kilometers. It is the world’s third-smallest country.
2. Monaco – 2 km²
Monaco, located on the French Riviera, has the world’s highest concentration of millionaires and billionaires per capita. It is also the world’s second-smallest country, with only 2 square kilometers of land area. Monaco is a popular playground for the wealthy and famous, noted for its gambling and luxury goods and services sectors. Monaco’s population is primarily French-speaking, given the country is bounded on three sides by France and on one by the Mediterranean Sea. Monaco, with a population of over 36,000 people, is the world’s most densely populated country. The Formula One race is the most popular annual event, with tracks that traverse through city streets.
1. Vatican City – 0.44 km²
The Holy See, sometimes known as the Vatican, is the world’s smallest country. Vatican City is the world’s smallest country, with an area of around 0.44 square kilometers. This country is entirely enclosed within the Italian capital city of Rome, which acts as the Catholic Church’s headquarters. St. Peter’s Basilica, the world’s biggest church, holds some of the most renowned Renaissance artworks, including The Pieta and the Creation of Adam. It is supported by the voluntary contributions of almost 1 billion Roman Catholic Church members worldwide. The remainder of its revenue comes from the selling of postal stamps, tourist souvenirs, and museum admission fees.
What’s the Smallest Country in the World?
With a land area of about 0.44 square kilometers (0.17 square miles), Vatican City is the world’s smallest country. Monaco, Nauru, Tuvalu, San Marino, Liechtenstein, and the Marshall Islands are the other smallest countries.
The World’s 50 Smallest Countries
Rank | Country | Area (km sq) | Area (sq mi) |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Vatican City | 0.44 | 0.17 |
2 | Monaco | 2.02 | 0.78 |
3 | Nauru | 21 | 8.1 |
4 | Tuvalu | 26 | 10 |
5 | San Marino | 61 | 24 |
6 | Liechtenstein | 160 | 52 |
7 | Marshall Islands | 181 | 70 |
8 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 261 | 101 |
9 | Maldives | 298 | 115 |
10 | Malta | 316 | 122 |
11 | Grenada | 344 | 133 |
12 | Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 389 | 150 |
13 | Barbados | 431 | 166 |
14 | Antigua and Barbuda | 443 | 171 |
15 | Seychelles | 455 | 176 |
16 | Palau | 459 | 177 |
17 | Andorra | 468 | 181 |
18 | Saint Lucia | 606 | 234 |
19 | Singapore | 687 | 265 |
20 | Micronesia | 702 | 271 |
21 | Tonga | 717 | 277 |
22 | Dominica | 751 | 290 |
23 | Bahrain | 765 | 295 |
24 | Kiribati | 811 | 313 |
25 | Sao Tome | 964 | 372 |
26 | Comoros | 1,862 | 719 |
27 | Mauritius | 2,030 | 784 |
28 | Luxembourg | 2,586 | 999 |
29 | Samoa | 2,821 | 1,089 |
30 | Cape Verde | 4,033 | 1,557 |
31 | Trinidad and Tobago | 5,128 | 1,980 |
32 | Brunei | 5,265 | 2,033 |
33 | Cyprus | 9,241 | 3,568 |
34 | Gambia | 10,000 | 3,861 |
35 | Bahamas | 10,010 | 3,865 |
36 | Lebanon | 10,230 | 3,950 |
37 | Jamaica | 10,831 | 4,182 |
38 | Qatar | 11,586 | 4,473 |
39 | Vanuatu | 12,189 | 4,706 |
40 | Montenegro | 13,452 | 5,194 |
41 | East Timor | 14,874 | 5,743 |
42 | Swaziland | 17,204 | 6,643 |
43 | Kuwait | 17,818 | 6,880 |
44 | Fiji | 18,274 | 7,056 |
45 | Slovenia | 20,151 | 7,780 |
46 | Israel | 20,330 | 7,850 |
47 | El Salvador | 20,721 | 8,000 |
48 | Belize | 22,806 | 8,805 |
49 | Djibouti | 23,180 | 8,041 |
50 | Macedonia | 25,433 | 9,820 |