The smallest countries in the world and their capitals. About the smallest countries of our planet

In the school curriculum in geography, unfortunately, interesting geographical facts of our planet are practically not studied, and there are so many of them: colorful beaches or lakes, giant or smallest countries, the highest or lowest points of the earth's surface and much more. Therefore, many children, and then adults, do not have the desire to travel to see something interesting with their own eyes.

In this article, you will learn about the 10 smallest countries in the world in terms of the area they occupy.

Order of Malta. This is the smallest country in Europe and the whole world in terms of area occupied by the territory - only 0.012 km² (these are two buildings in Rome). The Order of Malta is not recognized by all countries of the world as an independent full-fledged state, but all members of the order are considered its citizens (12.5 thousand people), it issues passports, has its own currency and stamps.

. The most famous small country in the world, located, like the Order of Malta, in Rome. The Vatican, which is less than one square kilometer (0.44 km²), is home to just 826 people, and 100 of them serve in the Swiss Guard that protects its borders. It is the residence of the head of the Catholic Church, the Pope of Rome, and therefore, despite its small size, enjoys great political influence.

Monaco. This small country in the south of Europe is the most densely populated among the mini-countries: over 20 thousand people live here per 1 km². France is Monaco's only neighbor. A feature of this country is that there are five times more visitors than the indigenous population.

Gibraltar. Located on the southern side of the Iberian Peninsula, on a formidable rocky cape, connected to the mainland by a very narrow isthmus of sand. Although its history was very closely connected with Great Britain, it is now a completely independent state. The entire area of this state is 6.5 km², with an average population density for Europe.

Nauru. Nauru is the smallest island country in Oceania, located on the coral island of the same name in the Western Pacific Ocean, with an area of 21 km² and a population of slightly more than 9 thousand people. It is the only state in the world without an official capital.

Tuvalu. This Pacific state is located on 9 coral islands (atolls) with a total area of 26 km², population - 10.5 thousand people. This is a very poor country, which may disappear due to rising water levels and coastal erosion.
Pitcairn. It is located on five islands of the Pacific Ocean, of which only one is inhabited, and is considered the country with the smallest population - only 48 people.

. The European state, located on the slope of Mount Titan and surrounded on all sides by Italy, with an area of 61 km² and a population of 32 thousand people. It is considered one of the oldest states in Europe.

Liechtenstein. The territory of this mini-state with a population of 29 thousand people is 160 km². It is located between Switzerland and Austria, in the Alps. Liechtenstein is a highly developed industrial country, exporting various products and with a high standard of living.

Marshall Islands. This is a whole archipelago, consisting of coral reefs and islets, with a total area of 180 km² with a population of 52 thousand people. Until 1986, it was a colony of Great Britain, but now it is an independent state, popular with tourists.

Having introduced you to the 10 smallest countries in the world, I would like to add that the big advantage of living in these countries is the constant concern of the government for its citizens.

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The smallest countries in the world 🗺

We live in huge countries. But there are also small countries on earth. And although they are small in size, some of them are quite significant and authoritative.

Of the 10 smallest countries, two are in the Caribbean, four in Europe, one in Asia, and three in Oceania. There are four more countries on the continent, and 3 of them do not even have access to the sea, and six tiny countries are located on islands. For such countries, livelihoods are vital.

Country Vatican

The smallest state is with an area of 0.44 square kilometers, located inside the territory of Rome. The Vatican is a state associated with Italy. Population - 836 people. The strongest apparatus of the entire Roman Catholic Church with a large number of followers around the world is working at the Vatican. He receives all finances from the donations of Catholics on a voluntary basis. He also sells stamps, books and part of the money comes from tourists. There is no tax in the Vatican.

Country Monaco

The second smallest country is considered with an area of 1.96 km². Moreover, there are 23,660 inhabitants per square kilometer. The country is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with about 30,000 inhabitants. The main source of income for the residents is tourism. Monaco is located on the Mediterranean coast.

Country Nauru

Nauru- a state located on a coral island in the western part of the Pacific Ocean with an area of 21 km². Population - 9 322 people. Nauru is the smallest independent republic in the world, the smallest island nation, the smallest nation in Oceania, the smallest nation outside of Europe, and the only republic in the world without an official capital. The state of Nauru does not have an army.

Country Tuvalu

Pacific state, located on 5 atolls and 4 islands. The total area is 26 km². Population - 10 544 people. Due to the lack of natural resources, Tuvalu has to live off the help of other countries. This country is one of the poorest countries in the world and would be even poorer if the country's leadership had not guessed to put up for auction the national domain zone.tv and the buyer was quickly found, because. zone.tv is a tidbit for TV companies and video sites. Tuvalu now receives $1 million quarterly in exchange for the right to use the .tv domain zone

Country San Marino

A country surrounded on all sides by Italy. Its area is 61 km², the population is 32,075 people. Most of the population is engaged in agriculture, growing grapes, fruits, corn and animal husbandry. But the main source of income is tourism. San Marino is one of the richest countries in the world, its income exceeds its expenses.

Country Liechtenstein

State in Central Europe associated with Switzerland. Area - 160.4 km², population - 35,870 people. has no access to the sea. One of the richest countries in the world, the main income is due to the large flow of tourists.

Pacific state associated with the United States. The Republic of the Marshall Islands is located on 29 atolls and 5 islands, the total area of which is 181 km², the population is 68,000 people.

is an archipelago of 15 islands. The State of the Cook Islands is in free association with New Zealand in the South Pacific. The area is 236 km², the population is 19,569 people, of which almost 80% are on the island of Rarotonga. The basis of the economy is tourism.

A country in the eastern Caribbean between North and South America. It consists of two islands - Saint Kitts and Nevis, with a total area of 261 sq. km. These were the first islands inhabited by Europeans. The main source of income is, of course, tourism, but agriculture and offshore banking are also developed here.

Country Maldives

The island country is located in the Indian Ocean and is the smallest Asian country in terms of area. Includes approximately 1190 coral islands with a total area of 298 sq. km, the population is 396 thousand. Two-thirds of the population lives in the country's capital, Male. Previously, the country developed thanks to the export of dried tuna, kauri clams and coconut cables, now the main income comes from tourism.

State of Sealand

All these countries are recognized by the international community, but there is a state that, in terms of area and population, can rightfully be considered the smallest in the world. This state- Sealand), with an area of 500 square meters. It is a concrete platform with dimensions of 30 by 10 meters. The platform is located outside the three-mile zone in the North Sea, which means it is in neutral waters.

Roy Bates took advantage of this in the 70s and officially occupied this zone. Roy proclaimed himself king, his wife queen, and the state proclaimed a monarchy and with all his loyal subjects settled in his state. But he did not think to stop there, in 1975 Roy issued a constitution, a national currency.

Initially, the platform was created during the Second World War, as a base for the British Army, but was subsequently abandoned, which was used by British Army Major Roy Bates to host a pirate radio station and, in order to avoid trial, officially declared the independence of Sealand.

After 2 years, Britain tried to occupy the state, but Roy fired several warning shots into the air. Against Roy, as a citizen of England, a court case was initiated. But justice prevailed, the court issued a historically important verdict, he recognized that the case is outside the jurisdiction of the UK. In 2002, the population of the state of Sealand was 27 people. However, at the same time, only a guard constantly lives on the territory of Sealand.

general description

The smallest state in the world in terms of area occupies a territory whose size is only 0.45 km 2. It is located in the heart of the Italian capital - Rome. The total length of the Vatican border is 3200 meters. From all sides the state is surrounded by high walls. It has its own post office, police station, railway station, publishing house and even the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Starting from the nineteenth century, it also had its own monetary unit - the lira of the Papal State, but after the introduction of the euro in Italy in 2002, this currency began to be used in the Vatican.

Short story

The country had a small size throughout the history of its existence. In ancient times, no one lived on the territory of the modern Vatican. The fact is that in ancient Rome this place was considered holy. It began to be inhabited in 326, after the construction of the Basilica of Constantine over the supposed burial place of St. Peter. In the period from 752 to 1870, the smallest state in the world in terms of population occupied an area of about 41 km 2. At that time it was called the Papal States. The country was invaded by a united Italian army in the middle of the nineteenth century.

The situation was resolved in 1929. It was then that the Lateran Treaty was signed, according to which the independence of the state was proclaimed, and Pope Pius XI recognized the Kingdom of Italy in return.

Population

As noted above, the Vatican is the smallest state in the world in terms of population. About 850 people who are citizens of this country permanently live on its territory. All of them have the status of ministers of the Holy See. You can get Vatican citizenship only in this way. After the completion of this work, it is instantly canceled. The local army has a hundred people.

In the daytime, there are about three thousand hired workers in the country, who are mainly engaged in menial labor. They are not subjects of the Vatican and live outside of it. The overwhelming majority of these people are Italians.

Political system and language

Based on international law, the smallest state in the world is an absolute theocratic monarchy, which is administered by the Holy See. In other words, all executive, legislative and judicial power is concentrated in the hands of the Pope, who is elected for life by the cardinals. He leads, in fact, only the Holy See, while the country is governed by the governor of the Pontifical Commission appointed by him.

All legislative acts issued in the Vatican come into force only after they have been published in Italian and Latin. Thus, we can say that both of them have an official status in the country. At the same time, work in any world language is allowed here, which is associated with the presence of representatives of many nationalities among church ministers.

financial policy

There are no industrial enterprises in the Vatican, in connection with which the smallest state in the world receives almost all financial income from investments, donations and tourism. Basically, this money is used for ordinary expenses, including salaries, renovation of buildings, maintenance of the Holy See, and so on. The annual state budget of a country whose economy is of a planned type is on average 310 million US dollars. At the same time, the power is known due to the charitable activities of the pontiff. In particular, funds are allocated to support people who have suffered from natural disasters, as well as to build churches in all corners of the planet.

Social politics

To ensure close contact and dialogue with Catholics, as well as the dissemination of the teachings of the church, the Vatican has its own television channel. It hosts live broadcasts of state celebrations and services of the Pope, as well as documentary films. In addition, it has its own radio. It is available not only on shortwave AM and FM, but also via the Internet. Recently, the social policy pursued by the smallest state in the world has been criticized by parishioners. In particular, many of them do not like conservative teachings, which do not correspond to the realities of our time.

tourist attraction

As noted earlier, tourism is considered one of the main sources of income for the Vatican. This is not surprising, since millions of people come here every year who want to see with their own eyes the ancient architectural ensembles and world-famous works of art created by great masters. The most popular among them are the Cathedral and St. Peter's Square, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museum and Library, as well as gardens that occupy most of the country's territory.

The Vatican received the status of the official residence of the Pope in 1377.

Any visitor to the country has the opportunity to use the services of local mail, in particular, send commemorative postcards with unique stamps to their relatives and friends anywhere in the world.

Local museums are the third most popular on Earth, second only to the Louvre and the British Museum.

There is no airport on the territory of the Vatican. At the same time, the smallest state in the world can boast of having a heliport that has been operating since 1976. From here, the pontiff usually flies to Roman airports or to his residence, Castel Gandolfo.

The country has its own railway with a station. Its length is 700 meters.

The Vatican is characterized by an extremely high crime rate. For each local resident, there is an average of one crime per year. Usually it's theft. However, it should be borne in mind that they are made mainly by service personnel or tourists.

In the state, marriages are almost never concluded and children are not born.

Literacy of local residents is 100%.

Other tiny countries

As a rule, the smallest states in the world have a very rich history and are highly attractive for tourists. Below, in descending order, are the five smallest countries on the planet.

In fourth place on the list is the Pacific island nation of Tuvalu. It gained its independence from England in 1978. The local population is about 10 thousand people. The state is located on 4 islands and 5 atolls with a total area of 26 km2.

The third position belongs to Nauru - an island nation located in the South Pacific Ocean. It has the status of an independent republic and is distinguished by the absence of a capital. The area of Nauru is 21.3 km 2, and the population is about 9.5 thousand people.

Monaco ranks second in the ranking of "The smallest countries in the world." The Principality borders France and is located on the coast of the Ligurian Sea. The area of the country, in which about 36 thousand inhabitants live on a permanent basis, is 2.02 km 2. Thanks to tax incentives, the capital of the richest people on Earth is attracted here. The capital has the same name.

The tiniest state in the world is the Vatican, which was discussed in more detail earlier in this article.

On the Internet, you can easily find information about where the smallest country in the world is located. Thanks to the global network in the 21st century, you can walk the streets of another country without leaving your city. Moreover, many states in their size are not far from Russian megacities: in distant Europe there are states much smaller than the smallest district of Moscow.

Rating of the smallest countries in the world

According to official data, the list of the smallest states looks something like this:

Order of Malta
Vatican
Monaco
Nauru
Tuvalu
San Marino
Liechtenstein
Marshall Islands
Cook Islands
Saint Kitts and Nevis

Of these, Tuvalu is the poorest, but its government registered a .tv zone and sold it, and successfully: after all, TV is an excellent domain zone for telecommunications companies, channels and Internet portals with video materials from all over the world. Tuvalu itself is located in Polynesia. For tourists, entry is absolutely free: a visa is issued for 30 days upon arrival at a local airport.

The Order of Malta is the smallest country on the planet

The Order of Malta is a state with an area of only 0.012 sq. km. It consists of two buildings in Rome and one in Birgu, Malta. The main state building, the Main Palace, is located in the capital of Italy near the Spanish Steps.
Moreover, part of this palace is rented out for restaurants and shops. It is here that government meetings are held, and the residence of the prince is located. The palace is recognized as the capital of the Order.

Small spool, yes in the UN

The sovereignty of the miniature state was recognized by about 100 countries. It has the status of a UN observer. There are representatives of the Order of Malta in different parts of the world. In the Russian Federation, his Mission is located in Moscow on Volkhonka.
The order issues identity cards that allow free entry without a visa to 30 countries, and mints coins - skudo. Its exchange rate changes, but approximately 1 scudo is equal to 0.24 euros. Although the real cost is slightly higher, because These coins are minted from real precious metals.
The state language of the state is Latin. The Order issues exclusive stamps that are very popular with collectors. The Order's mail is not part of the Universal Postal Union, so its stamps can not be used in all countries of the world, but only in 60.

The Order of Malta even has its own license plates, but they belong exclusively to the country's government and are found mainly in Rome. Machine number format: SMOM alphabetic code and 2 digits. Between the numbers and letters is a small Maltese cross. The Order of Malta does not have its own domain zone. Also, the country cannot boast of the presence of the police and the army.

The Order of Malta: a walk through a small country

The Order of Malta can be called the most isolated state in the whole world. For example, on Sunday, any visits to the country are prohibited. All 3 buildings of the small state are closed.
On a weekday, the Main Palace is open to the public. Moreover, each person can enroll in the library of the Order of Malta, which is located on the second floor of the palace. To do this, you need to fill out an application for.
But the entrance to the Maltese villa (the second building of the state) is strictly prohibited for outsiders. But enterprising tourists came up with another fun. There is a small keyhole at the gate of the building, through which you can see 3 European countries at the same time:

Order of Malta
Vatican
Italy

Those. Rome is a city that hosts two of the smallest countries in the world. To look into this well, you often have to stand in a long line of travelers from all over the world.
The third building of the Order of Malta is located in the city of Birgu and is called Fort Sant'Angelo. But it has been reconstructed for many years, and therefore is closed to tourists.

Little Vatican

The Vatican is the most famous small country on earth. This state is located in one of the districts of Rome. Its area is 0.44 sq. km. The length of the Vatican State Border is 3.2 km.

Politics and economics of the Vatican

The Vatican is the residence of the Pope. This small state serves as an observer to the UN and cooperates with Interpol. The Vatican has diplomatic relations with 176 states around the world, incl. with EU countries. The country falls under the Hague Convention, which provides for the protection of cultural property if a war breaks out. It is included in the UNESCO list.
The Vatican is governed by the Holy See, represented by the sovereign - the Pope. The pontiff is elected by the cardinals. If he dies or abdicates, the Camerlengo assumes his duties until the election of a new Pope. Moreover, the election of the Pope can last from 2 days to several years!
When a new pontiff is appointed, white smoke rises from the small chimney of the Sistine Chapel. Traditionally, the ballots of those who voted are burned, but to give the smoke the desired shade, they throw into the fire:

rosin
lactose
Berthollet salt

White smoke is accompanied by the iridescent ringing of the bells of St. Peter's Cathedral. This is necessary to once again confirm the election of a new pontiff.

The Vatican has its own state bank, which is otherwise called the Institute of Religious Affairs. The state is part of the eurozone and can create an individual design for the obverse of euro coins. Traditionally, the obverse depicts a portrait of the Pope, who is currently ruling.
The Vatican has a separate domain zone: .va. Official languages: Latin and Italian. The Vatican is the only country in the world where you can find menus in Latin in ATMs!

What kind of visa is needed to visit the smallest country - the Vatican

The Vatican is a separate state, but you do not need any special visa to visit it. Before traveling to Italy, Russians apply for a regular Schengen visa and, on its basis, cross the border of the Vatican. But tourists from all over the world sometimes have difficulties because of the appearance. On the territory of the Vatican, you can not be in open T-shirts, short skirts and shorts. Travelers will be asked to change or leave the country.
Only the clergy and special guests can live on the territory of the Vatican. There are no hotels and inns (even the most expensive!) for ordinary tourists.

Top 10 most famous sights of the Vatican

The most significant cultural and historical sites of the Vatican include:

St. Peter's Square - a huge space, symmetrically bounded by semicircles of colonnades and having a high obelisk in the center;
St. Peter's Cathedral - a spectacular building erected over the tomb of the Apostle Peter, it is here that you can see mosaics and paintings by Michelangelo, Raphael and Bernini;
Apostolic Palace - the residence of the pontiff, representing a single complex of palaces, galleries, chapels and gardens;
The Sistine Chapel is a landmark famous for the frescoes of Botticelli, Rosselli and Perugino, as well as the monumental depiction of the Last Judgment by Michelangelo;
The Pinacoteca is an art gallery that exhibits over 450 paintings by Raphael, Giotto, Caravaggio, Titian, etc. mainly on religious themes (the unfinished canvas of Leonardo da Vinci "Saint Jerome" is stored here);
Raphael's Stanzas - 4 huge rooms in the Apostolic Palace with frescoes by Raphael;
Belvedere Palace - a small complex of buildings, on the territory of which you can see unusual bronze sculptures in the form of a pine cone and a broken ball - the famous "Sphere in the Sphere";
Vatican Gardens - a park area of more than 20 hectares, it is here that the heliport is located for transport links with Italian airports;
Grotta di Lourde - a consecrated artificial grotto in the Vatican Gardens;
The Apostolic Library is the greatest book depository in the world, where you can find Renaissance and Medieval manuscripts, but only a part of the library is allowed for tourists.

Usually the Vatican Museums are open for visits from 9-00 to 18-00, the box office closes at 16-00. You can also purchase tickets to the Vatican Museums on their website www.museivaticani.va. During the periods from May 2 to July 29 and from September 2 to October 28, the Vatican Museums are also open from 19-00 to 23-00. To visit the Vatican attractions after sunset, you need to book a ticket in advance.

Little Principality of Monaco

Monaco is the smallest country in the Mediterranean. It is located near the Cote d'Azur. The area of the principality is only 2.02 sq. km. Moreover, over the past 20 years, this area has even increased by 40 hectares due to the drainage of sea borders.
Everyone who comes to Monaco should visit at least a few of its attractions. These include:

Monte Carlo Casino is a grandiose gambling establishment where anyone can play (except for the citizens of Monaco - gambling is prohibited for them at the legislative level);
Casino Square - a small square and a park area in front of the casino, where you can’t be in jeans and T-shirts - the status of a nearby establishment obliges;
Monte Carlo Opera - a famous opera house, on the stage of which Chaliapin, Caruso, Verdi and many other eminent singers and musicians from all over the world performed;
a museum of vintage cars, which even houses the London taxi that Grace Kelly once drove;
Larvotto - an amazingly beautiful beach with clear water and artificial white sand, where many vacationers sunbathe without even taking off their jewelry;
Museum of Oceanography built by Jacques-Yves Cousteau.

Of course, this is an incomplete list. Monaco is an amazing country that seems to consist entirely of architectural and cultural monuments, so each tourist must independently choose the most important sights for himself.

Due to their miniature size, small states cannot boast of success in military affairs or industry, therefore they actively attract travelers from all over the world. Everyone needs to visit them in order to feel their originality.

There are 194 countries in the world, and I think about each of them, we, as a rule, represent a solid territory and a population of many millions. But some states are several times smaller in area than modern megacities. We've rounded up ten of the tiniest ones.

No. 10 Grenada: 344 km²

It is an island nation in the Caribbean, located northwest of Trinidad and Tobago. Grenada is the world's largest producer of nutmeg, so it's no surprise that it is also called the "Isle of Spice". From 1649 to 1763 it was a French colony. The strong influence of French traditions and culture in the country is felt today - from architecture and art to cricket, which is the most popular sport on the island.

No. 9 Malta: 316 km²

Malta is another tiny island nation. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The three main islands of the Republic are Gozo (Gozo), Comino and the largest of them, Malta. The country has a population of about 450,000 inhabitants, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Most tourists come to Malta for the beach holiday, intriguing history and vibrant nightlife.

#8 Maldives: 300 km²

The smallest country in Asia by area and population, the Maldives is nonetheless one of the most popular Indian Ocean holiday destinations. White sandy beaches and crystal blue waters have earned the country its reputation as a paradise. About 1,192 coral islands are scattered over an area of 90,000 km², making the Republic one of the most dispersed countries in the world. Although this has its own plus: there is always a place here just for the two of you.

Formerly part of the West Indies, these two islands in the Caribbean were among the first lands inhabited by Europeans and were a major exporter of sugar for centuries. Today, only colonial estates converted into hotels remind of the former plantations. The modern economy of the country is built around tourism, agriculture and small manufacturing enterprises. Saint Kitts and Nevis is famous for its fantastic diving sites and rich marine life.

No. 6 Liechtenstein: 160 km²

Liechtenstein is the only country in the world that is entirely in the Alps. It is located between Switzerland and Austria. It is one of the richest countries with an incredibly low unemployment rate (1.5%). True, getting to Liechtenstein is a little problematic, because there is not a single airport here. The closest one is in Zurich.

No. 5 San Marino: 61 km²

San Marino is an enclave: its territory is completely surrounded by the lands of Italy. The country claims to be the oldest sovereign state in the world. San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe with a population of just 30,000, but boasts one of the highest GDP per capita and low unemployment.

No. 4 Tuvalu: 26 km²

Formerly known as Ellis, Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean, northeast of Australia. Its population is about 10,000 inhabitants, and the total length of roads is only 8 km. It was once a British territory, but became independent in 1978. Due to the fact that it is quite problematic to get here, tourism in Tuvalu is underdeveloped, although the landscapes here are truly heavenly.

No. 3 Nauru: 21 km²

Nauru is the smallest island nation in the world. It is located to the east of Australia. The country's economy suffered greatly when the local phosphate mines were depleted. Unemployment has reached 90%. The republic is also known as the place of residence of the most obese people: 97% of men and 93% of women are obese or overweight.

No. 2 Monaco: 2 km²

Monaco is the epitome of luxury and wealth: here is the largest concentration of millionaires and billionaires in the world. Thanks to chic casinos and a wide range of exclusive services, the country has become a favorite vacation spot for the powerful. One of the most popular and spectacular events of the year is the Formula 1 Grand Prix, during which cars drive along ordinary city streets. With over 36,000 inhabitants, Monaco is the most populous country in the world.

#1 Vatican: 0.44 km²

The smallest country in the world is the Vatican. It is located in the Italian capital and is the center of the Catholic Church. Not surprisingly, this is where the largest Christian church in the world, St. Peter's Basilica, is located. In addition, valuable works of Renaissance art can be seen in the Vatican. The main source of income in the country is the voluntary contributions of Catholics from all over the world (more than 1 billion people). The rest of the profits come from the sale of postage stamps, tourist souvenirs and museum entrance fees.