The Smallest Countries on the Globe

It is a well-documented fact, that the Earth we reside on, comprises of 195 countries and nobody would be to blame if you though the word ‘country’ was a parallel for a colossal body of land. Conversely, there exist some nations in the Pacific, the Caribbean and in Europe (soon to be expounded upon in the forthcoming text) that are likely to leave you astonished and in utter disbelief. One would be amazed to find out that the top 10 smallest countries on our Earth, when put together, would still be smaller than the state of Goa, India (mind you, Goa being the smallest state in India).    

Here are some stunning pictures and fun facts about some of the smallest nation-states on this rondure known as Earth. 

 7. Malta

Land Area: 316 km²

Population: 440,372 (as of 2019)

Continent: Europe 

About: Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, the archipelago is nestled between Sicily and the North African coast. The broader Republic of Malta consists of three islands, that is to say: Comino, Gozo and Malta. A well liked hotspot among tourists for its sunny weather, enchanting beaches and alluring nightlife, the tiny nation is also among one of the most densely packed in the world given its population of close to 450,000 inhabitants.  

 6. Saint Kitts and Nevis  

Land Area: 269 km²   

Population: 52,932 (as of 2019)

Continent: North America 

About: Among one of the first islands to be occupied by the Europeans, the small economy of the country is chiefly reliant on tourism, a small-scale manufacturing industry and some agriculture. Owing to its sublime marine life, Saint Kitts and Nevis is an oasis for divers, upon making your way inland, you will discover mountains, a dormant volcano that goes by the name of Mount Liamuiga, a crater lake and is also the home of green Vervet monkeys. If accommodation is your primary concern, then you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that erstwhile large plantations are now beautiful estates that house posh hotels and resorts. 

5. Marshall Islands  

Land Area: 181 km²   

Population: 58,791(as of 2019)

Continent: Oceania 

About: A chain of volcanic islands and coral atolls in the central Pacific Ocean, lying between Philippines and Hawaii. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is an incredibly biodiverse region with over 800 fish and 160 corals calling the island nation their home. The largely undisturbed waters were once utilized as a ship graveyard post World War II and are now sought-after wreck dive sites. 

4. Liechtenstein 

Land Area: 160 km²   

Population: 38,019

Continent: Europe 

About: A principally German-speaking microstate sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is predominantly renowned for its striking medieval castles, charming villages and alpine landscapes. In stark contrast to Malta, it is among one of the least densely inhabited countries and is only one of two double landlocked countries in the whole wide world! To add to that, Liechtenstein is also known to possess one of the strongest GDP’s on the planet thanks to its blooming financial sector.  

3. Nauru 

Land Area: 21 km²     

Population: 10,776

Continent: Oceania 

About: The smallest island country in the world, Nauru sits just east of Australia. In the days of past, it was deemed a goldmine for its bourgeoning phosphate mining industry. However, upon depletion of the phosphate, Nauru faced huge unemployment and never really got back to its feet, with present unemployment rates sitting at about 90%. A quiet corner for tourists at present, another staggering fact about the tiny island is the obesity rate, with 97% of its men and 93% of its women considered either overweight or obese! Due to such astounding numbers, Nauru is labelled as the country with the most obese people in the world.  

2. Monaco 

Land Area: 2.02 km²   

Population: 39,045 (as of 2019)

Continent: Europe

About: The concourse of the rich and famous, Monaco is home to the largest number of millionaires and billionaires in the world, per capita! Highly regarded for its service industry, its casinos and luxury goods, Monaco is notorious for catering to a very exclusive niche. Situated alongside the French Riviera, the country is bordered by France on three sides and the Mediterranean on the other. Bearing in mind its teeny span of 2 km’s and its populace of close to 40,000, Monaco joins hands with Malta as one of the most overcrowded countries, perhaps even surpassing all others.  

1. Vatican City 

Land Area: 0.44 km²   

Population: 799 (as of 2019)

Continent: Europe

About: The tiniest country in the world, Vatican City fits wholly in the Italian capital of Rome and is documented as the center of the Catholic Church. Home to the biggest and grandest church in the world – St. Peter’s Basilica, it also houses the Pope as well as a trove of iconic architecture and art. Few of the widely recognized pieces include the Creation of Adam, Renaissance frescoes in the Raphael Rooms and the Sistine Chapel, celebrated for Michelangelo’s ceiling. As for its economy, it is propelled by donations from over 1 billion members of the Roman Catholic Church as well as from the sale of tourist mementos and from entry fees for museums. 

So how many of these countries have you checked out from your bucket list? Let us know in the comments section below!