The smallest country in the world is Vatican City. It covers just 0.17 square miles (0.44 square kilometers). That is smaller than many city parks. It has a population of under 1,000 people.
If you have ever asked what is the smallest country in the world, this is your answer. It is located entirely inside Rome, Italy. The Pope is its head of state. It has its own post office, its own radio station, and its own army. But you cannot be born a citizen. Citizenship is only granted for service to the Holy See.
Top 10 Smallest Countries in the World
Here is the full list. These are the ten smallest sovereign nations by land area.
| Rank | Country | Area (sq km) | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vatican City | 0.44 | Europe |
| 2 | Monaco | 2.1 | Europe |
| 3 | Nauru | 21 | Pacific |
| 4 | Tuvalu | 26 | Pacific |
| 5 | San Marino | 61 | Europe |
| 6 | Liechtenstein | 160 | Europe |
| 7 | Marshall Islands | 181 | Pacific |
| 8 | Saint Kitts and Nevis | 261 | Caribbean |
| 9 | Maldives | 298 | Indian Ocean |
| 10 | Malta | 316 | Mediterranean |
2. Monaco
Monaco is the second smallest country. It covers 2 square kilometers . It sits on the French Riviera. It is famous for its casinos and the Formula 1 Grand Prix . It is one of the most densely populated places on Earth .
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3. Nauru
Nauru is the smallest island nation. It covers 21 square kilometers . It is in the Pacific Ocean. It was once rich from phosphate mining. Now it depends on imports and foreign aid . It has no rivers and no protected parks .
4. Tuvalu
Tuvalu covers 26 square kilometers . It is made up of nine small islands. It is one of the lowest-lying countries in the world. Rising sea levels threaten its existence . It is one of the least-visited countries on the planet .
5. San Marino
San Marino covers 61 square kilometers . It is inside Italy. It claims to be the world's oldest republic. It was founded in 301 AD . Its economy runs on tourism, banking, and manufacturing .
6. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein covers 160 square kilometers . It sits between Switzerland and Austria. It is a German-speaking principality. It has a strong economy and low unemployment . It is one of the world's only doubly landlocked countries .
7. Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands cover 181 square kilometers . They are spread across the central Pacific. They consist of 29 coral atolls and over 1,000 small islands . The country has a complex history tied to U.S. nuclear testing .
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis cover 261 square kilometers . This is the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere . It is a two-island nation in the Caribbean. Tourism is its main source of income .
9. Maldives
The Maldives cover 298 square kilometers . It is made up of about 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean . It is known for luxury resorts and clear blue waters. Like Tuvalu, it faces serious risks from rising sea levels .
10. Malta
Malta covers 316 square kilometers . It sits in the Mediterranean Sea between Sicily and North Africa . It has ancient temples and fortified cities. It is a popular tourist destination and a key player in regional trade .
What Is the Smallest Country in the World Sealand?
- Sealand is not a real country. It is a micronation. A micronation is a self-declared state that is not recognised by other countries.
- Sealand is a former World War II sea fort. It sits about 12 kilometers off the coast of Suffolk, England . It was built to defend the Thames Estuary. After the war, it was abandoned. In 1967, a British family took it over and declared it a principality .
- Sealand has its own flag, anthem, currency, and passports . It measures just 1,300 square meters . That is 0.0013 square kilometers. It is far smaller than Vatican City.
But no other country recognises Sealand as a nation . The UK government says it falls within British territorial waters and is subject to UK law .
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What Is the Smallest Country in the World Not a City?
This question comes up often. Vatican City is the answer. It is not a city. It is a country. A very small one. But it is a sovereign state. It has a seat at the United Nations as an observer .
- Some people wonder about Sealand. Sealand is not a country. It is a platform off the coast of England. It was claimed as a micronation in 1967. No other country recognizes it. It is not on any official list of sovereign states.
- There is another project in the works. Albania announced plans to create a tiny Sufi Muslim microstate in Tirana. It would be just 0.05 square miles. That is a quarter the size of Vatican City. But it does not exist yet. It is only a proposal .
What Is the Smallest Country in the World by Population?
Vatican City wins this too. It has fewer than 1,000 residents . The next smallest is Tuvalu with about 9,300 people . Then Nauru with about 12,000 .
Vatican City has no hospital. No one is born there. Citizenship is temporary. It is tied to your job. When you leave your post, you lose it .
FAQs
1. Is Vatican City a country or a city?
It is a country. A sovereign state. It is not a city. It is the smallest country in the world by both area and population .
2. What is the smallest country in the world besides Vatican City?
Monaco. It is 2.1 square kilometers. That is nearly five times the size of Vatican City .
3. Is Sealand a real country?
No. Sealand is a micronation. No other country recognizes it. It is not on any official list of sovereign states.
4. What is the smallest country in Asia?
The Maldives. It is about 298 square kilometers. It is an island nation in the Indian Ocean .
5. What is the smallest country in the Americas?
Saint Kitts and Nevis. It is 261 square kilometers. It is in the Caribbean .
6. Can I visit Vatican City?
Yes. Millions of tourists visit every year. You can see St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums .
7. What is the smallest country in the world by population?
Vatican City. It has fewer than 1,000 people .
8. Will there be a new smallest country?
Albania has proposed a Sufi microstate in Tirana. It would be smaller than Vatican City. But it is only a plan. It does not exist yet .
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