There are countries in this world that boast large populations, but it's hard to believe that there are also some countries that are quite small. Most people prefer to live in such places because it is cozy and you can relax. They do not have to worry about hundreds of people scurrying around, and besides, in small countries the crime rate is lower because the criminal will not be able to hide in a large crowd. Listed below are the ten smallest countries in the world.

10. Grenada

Known for the spices that this island has. If you're wondering where nutmeg came from, it's from here. The country is not the smallest, but there is quite a bit of space here. It's so beautiful here and you can come here if you know how to get there, or take a boat and then pick you up when you're done. The most popular sport here is cricket. This is the main sport on the island. The area of ​​the island is only three hundred and forty-four square meters. km.

9. Malta

This is one of the countries that ended up on this list because of its size. It is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The country occupies three small islands. In total, four hundred and fifty thousand people live on three islands. If you look into history, you will see that Malta is at least 7,000 years old. It has amazing beaches to see, as well as many sunny days and a comfortable environment. These tiny islands are a pleasure to come and explore.

8. Maldives

This place is small, but filled with housing and people. There is water all around, and you can go to the beach at any time if you live near one of them, and not in the center of the island. If you are in the center, then it will take several hours to leave the island. The Maldives is an independent country, it became one in 1965 and nothing has changed since then.

This amazing place is interesting to visit or live here. You will love the water that surrounds you, and the landscaped areas throughout the country that make it so amazing. The trees growing here are simply beautiful and allow you to hide in their shade. The country consists of two islands, but whichever you go to, it will be beautiful and relaxing. Sit in a chair and catch the sun, you can do that most of the time when you're here.

6. Liechtenstein

If you look at the local hills, you will see castle-like houses on them. If you are lucky enough to live in one of them, you can look down on the cities and feel like a queen or a king. Just live your life the way you want to, spend more time with your family and not spend all your time at work. The country is located in Switzerland. Unemployment is the lowest here, so you have to find a job and keep it, because here they know that people need a job, not a lack of pay for their work.

5. San Marino

All the houses here are similar. Even though the country is small, you will be able to find a job quickly as there are always many jobs available. About thirty thousand people live in the country, this number can sometimes grow or quickly decline. There are beautiful green meadows and trees among which it will be pleasant to make hiking or hiking almost every day. This is one of the most prosperous places to live due to the low unemployment rate.

4. Tuvalu

About ten thousand people live here. There is only one hospital in Tuvalu, so if you need health care you know where to look for it. About two thousand people visit the country every year. This is according to 2010 data. Most of them come on business, others just to see the country. Most people come for business, so they stay here for a short time. Tuvalu looks like a bunch of trees, so no one knows anything about the island.

3. Nauru

This country is in east coast Australia and in the 80s. she was one of the most popular places for phosphate mining. now this quiet place which tourists do not even think to visit. The unemployment rate here is ninety percent, and only 10 percent of the people work for the government. There are also the most overweight people here, among which there are almost equal numbers of men and women. Most people suffer from type 2 diabetes due to the problem of obesity.

2. Monaco

This country has the most rich people in the world. She is also very popular with celebrities. France is adjacent to Monaco, and on all other sides the Principality is surrounded by waters mediterranean sea. For most of the locals, French is native, and the population is more than thirty-six thousand people, so this country ranks second in the list of the smallest states.

1. Vatican

This country is the smallest that has ever existed and is also called the Holy See. The Vatican is located right in the center of the city of Rome. In this country is the largest church in the world - St. Peter's Cathedral. Here you will find the best works of art such as The Pieta icon. To survive, the country receives financial assistance from members of the Catholic Church. In total, there are one billion members, which is quite enough for financial support. The rest of the economic injection is made up of money coming from the sale of postage stamps, money paid by museum visitors, and money tourists spend on small trinkets and souvenirs.

These are the Top 10 smallest countries in the world in 2017. Each of them would be great to go on vacation where you want to relax and get some peace and carefree doing nothing alone or with your partner. If you plan to live in one of these countries, then that's great. locals friendly and the sights are great.

Order of Malta
The smallest state in the world is the Order of Malta (not to be confused with Malta). It is located in Italy, inside Rome. The area of ​​this country is 0.012 square kilometers. Meanwhile, not all countries of the world recognized the Order of Malta as an independent state. However, he has diplomatic relations with 104 countries and is a permanent observer at the UN. The state issues its own car plate numbers and passports to its residents, and also has its own currency and stamps, which are signs of a full-fledged country.

Vatican
In second place in terms of area is the Vatican. It is also located inside Rome and is considered a state associated with Italy. Its area is 0.44 square kilometers. The country has the most powerful support from the entire Catholic community in the world. The head of the Vatican, the Pope, renders big influence on the economic and political alignment of forces not only in Europe but also in the world.

Monaco
In third place is the Principality of Monaco, located on the Cote d'Azur. This country is associated with France. Despite its miniature size, Monaco has its own Olympic team, led by a prince. The main source of income in this state is gambling and tourism. The area of ​​Monaco is 2.02 square kilometers.

Nauru
This state covers an area of ​​21 square kilometers and is located in Oceania, on the coral island of the same name in the western Pacific Ocean. Nauru is the smallest independent republic on the planet and the tiniest island nation. The absence of an official capital is another distinctive feature of this country.

Tuvalu
This state in pacific ocean, which is located on five atolls and four islands. Its area is 26 square kilometers. Tuvalu receives its main income from growing coconuts and catching fish. In addition, she is paid a million dollars every quarter by many television companies in the world in exchange for the right to use the .tv domain zone. Despite this, Tuvalu is among the ten poorest countries in the world.

San Marino
One of the oldest republics in Europe covers an area of ​​61 square kilometers. The main income of the state is the issuance of postage stamps and tourism. On all sides, San Marino is surrounded by the territory of Italy.

Liechtenstein
This state is associated with Switzerland and has an area of ​​160 square kilometers. It also generates income from postage stamps and tourism. Its picturesque alpine landscapes attract many tourists.

Marshall Islands
This Pacific state is associated with the United States and is located on 5 islands and 29 atolls. The total is 181 square kilometers. Income in the budget of this state comes from tourism, export of coconuts and fishing.

Cook Islands
This state is self-governing and is in free with New Zealand. The Cook Islands are located in the South Pacific Ocean and cover an area of ​​236 square kilometers.

Saint Kitts and Nevis
This country, located in the east caribbean, consists of two islands - Nevis and St. Kitts. total area state is 261 square kilometers. It is the smallest country in Latin America.

Ten smallest countries in the world by population

Vatican
The smallest state in terms of the number of inhabitants. Its population is only 840 people.

Niue
Approximately 1,400 people live in Niue.

Nauru
The population of Nauru is 9320 people.

Tuvalu
The population of Tuvalu is slightly over 10,000 people.

Order of Malta
On the fifth line is the Order of Malta. Its population is 12500 inhabitants.

Cook Islands
19,600 people live in this archipelago.

Palau
This island nation in the waters of the Pacific Ocean is home to 20,850 inhabitants.

San Marino
The population of 32,100 people allowed San Marino to take the eighth line in the ranking.

Liechtenstein
This European country is home to 35,900 people.

Saint Kitts and Nevis
The first ten small countries in terms of the number of inhabitants closes the Latin American state with a population of 50,000 inhabitants.

Do you think you know geography? What are the smallest countries in the world? Could you name them? Or could you point them out on the map? Or maybe you've never even heard of them? We think that not many people will be able to immediately list even several such countries. It is not surprising, because the UN currently recognizes more than 192 independent states. Therefore, we want to remind you of them, and present a rating of the smallest countries in the world.

Malta

The Republic of Malta consists of three large and several tiny islands, which are located in the center of the Mediterranean Sea, 93 km south of the coast Sicily. The two small islands of Gozo and Comino are sparsely populated, but the main island, Malta, is a modern and vibrant urban area. Malta gained independence from the UK in 1964 and has since become a member of the European Union. The capital of Malta is the city of Valleta, with a population of over 452,000 people, the area of ​​this small country is only 316 km².

Republic of Maldives, better known as the Maldives either Maldives. Located on southwest coast India, in the waters of the Indian Ocean, and is a set of islands. The Republic of Maldives is the smallest Muslim country in Asia, the area is only 298 km², and the population is just over 324,000 people. The capital is the city of Male. The Maldives became a British protectorate in 1887. In 1965, Britain granted independence to the Maldives, and in 1968 it became a republic.

Exactly this small state in the Western Hemisphere, not only in terms of area, which is 261 km², but also in terms of population, only about 50 thousand people. The state consists of two islands - Saint Kitts and Nevis, located in the east of the Caribbean Sea. St. Kitts and Nevis is now heavily dependent on tourism, but boasts the largest electrical industry in the Caribbean. Independence and name, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis, received in 1983. The capital is the city of Baster.

This Pacific state consists of 29 atolls and 5 isolated islands in Micronesia. The area is only 181 km², the population is more than 60,000 people, the capital is the city of Majuro. During its history, the Marshall Islands were part of the Spanish, German and Japanese empires. During World War II, the United States of America liberated the islands from Japan, but they did not gain independence and remained largely under US jurisdiction until 1986.

Liechtenstein is a small country in the center of Europe, located on the border between Switzerland and Austria, which completely surround it. This is one of the few countries that does not have an airport, but there is a small heliport. Nearest international Airport located in Zurich, Switzerland. The country has a thriving tourism industry, winter views sports. Known as a tax haven (due to its low taxes) for many large businesses from all over Europe. There are even more such enterprises than the inhabitants themselves in the country, and there are about 35,000 of them, the country's area is only 160.4 km², the capital is the city of Vaduz.

San Marino

In fifth place in the ranking of the smallest countries in the world is the Republic of San Marino. It is a city-state located in Europe, on the border of Italy, which completely surrounds it. It is the oldest sovereign state in the world and also the oldest republic. Adopted in 1600, the constitution is the oldest national constitution in the world. San Marino is also one of the least populated countries in Europe, with just over 31,000. The area is only 61 km², the capital of San Marino.

Tuvalu

Tuvalu is Island state in the Pacific, consisting of four islands and five atolls. It is the fourth smallest country in the world. Tuvalu has almost no natural resources except for fish and agriculture. As a result, Tuvalu is largely dependent on foreign aid, which the country receives from Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the United States in particular. However, significant cash receipts come from the sale of the national top-level domain (.tv). Tuvalu gained independence from Britain in 1978. The area is only 26 km², the population is about 10 thousand people, the capital is Funafuti.

Nauru

The Republic of Nauru (formerly Pleasant Island) is a tiny island nation in the South Pacific, not far from the island nation of Kiribati. It is the smallest independent republic in the world, the smallest island state, as well as the smallest state outside of Europe and the only republic in the world that does not have an official capital. In 1999, the Republic was admitted to the UN. The area is only 21.3 km², the population is about 9,300 people.

The second place in the list of the smallest countries in the world is occupied by the Principality of Monaco, located in southern Europe, on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, bordering France. The Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco since 1297. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with 17,814.85 people/km². Known all over the world, especially the casino in Monte Carlo and the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix championship. The area of ​​the country is only 2.02 km², the population is about 36,000 people, the capital is the city of Monaco.

The smallest country in the world is the Vatican. It is a religious complex surrounded by an enclave wall. It is a sovereign independent state with the Pope as its monarch. The Vatican is located in the center of Rome, next to St. Peter's Square. The Pope also holds the title of Bishop of Rome and resides in the Apostolic Palace in the Vatican. The state attracts tens of thousands of tourists every year. The Vatican has its own police force known as the Corpo. It also has its own military personnel and the Swiss Guard, although their official purpose is to guard the Pope and the Holy See (of the Roman Catholic Church), and not the Vatican State itself. The area is only 0.44 km², the population is about 840 people, the capital of the Vatican.

"Me and the World" welcomes everyone who is now reading this article. Today we want to present you a rating of small countries. And what is the smallest state in the world, you will find out by reading this article to the end.

When we hear about a country, for example, in the news, we imagine a large territory with a population of several million people. But there are countries that can be compared in area with one modern metropolis.

And let's start with San Marino - 61 sq. km

We can say that this is a state within a state. San Marino is surrounded by the lands of Italy in a circle and is considered the oldest in Europe. It is noteworthy that it is located on one of the slopes of Mount Titan.

According to legend, the founder of San Marino is considered to be a stonemason named Marinus, who made the main castle of the future country in the rock, where he created his community. Subsequently, the stonemason was canonized as a Christian saint.

Only 30,000 people live here. But on the other hand, there is almost no unemployment, and the GDP per capita is one of the highest, thanks to the tourism business.

On the 4th place is Tuvalu - 26 sq. km

This Pacific area in Polynesia consists of nine small coral islands. The population is about 11,000 people.

In such a small area, there are only 8 km of roads, so it is difficult to get to different parts of the country and tourists rarely visit these islands, although the places here are very beautiful. The biggest problem is the gradual flooding of the territory, i.e. the islands are slowly sinking.

The islands of Tuvalu were discovered by the British Alvaro Mendanya de Neira in 1568 and for a long time were an English colony until they gained independence in the middle of the 20th century. The capital of the country is a city with a candy-like name - Funafuti.

Interestingly, the lands often changed their name. The discoverer called them the Lagoon Islands, then the archipelago was called the Ellis Islands, and now this is the state of Tuvalu, which means “eight standing together”.

3rd place - Nauru - 21 sq. km

Nauru is also an island nation, but even smaller in area than Tuvalu and also in the Pacific Ocean. Although the names are quite consonant, right? It is the smallest of the island states.

A little over 10,000 people live here. But they do not have an official capital.

Recently, the country's economy has suffered greatly due to the depletion of phosphate mines.

There was nothing to mine, so unemployment reached 90%. Maybe that's why there are too many obese people here - 97% of men and 93% of women - from nothing to do? Yes, diabetes mellitus is added to this problem.

2nd place - Principality of Monaco - 2.02 sq. km

The territory is located next to France on the Mediterranean coast. warm climate and Beautiful places attract many travelers. About 40,000 people live here.

Many people know this state as the most gambling, thanks to the famous casinos in the city of Monte Carlo.

The country is also known for hosting the Formula 1 championship, the Monaco Grand Prix, every year.

Profit to the treasury comes from the tourism business and the sale of real estate.

The Vatican closes the top five - 0.44 sq. km - 1st place

Which of the independent states of the world is the smallest? This is the Vatican, and it is located not only on the territory of another state, but also in the center of another city -.

The Vatican is the religious center of the Catholic Church. Therefore, here is the richest and largest church in the world - St. Peter's Cathedral.

The Vatican houses very valuable works of the Renaissance. What does this small state live on? On voluntary contributions of a huge number of Catholics living around the world - more than 1 billion people. There is still a small part of the profit: income from the sale of souvenirs and entrance tickets to the Vatican Museums.

The Pope is recognized as head for life.

Basically, the population (about 840 people) is the clergy, and those who serve the entire holy center (janitors, gardeners and others) are the population of Italy.

It has its own army - the ancient Swiss Guard.

I would like to tell you about another interesting state of South America -Saint Kitts and Nevis

Many wealthy people try to get citizenship here. And do it not in order to live there, but to travel freely around the world and actively engage in business. The possibilities of the passport of this country are simply golden - its presence allows you to visit up to 130 countries of the world, and small taxes allow you to successfully conduct business.

On an area of ​​260 sq. km beautifully home to 50,000 people. But the country is still ruled by the Queen of England, because. The territory is part of the British Commonwealth. The tourism business is well developed here, there is still income from the import of sugar cane, coffee, and cotton.

Do you want to apply for citizenship here? Then you have two ways:

• Make a charitable contribution of $250-350,000 to the development of the country's sugar industry.
• Buy a property worth $400,000.

And interestingly, to obtain a passport, you do not need to go to St. Kitts and Nevis, it will be given to you in your country without the cost of a flight.

And one more interesting fact: many consider it a city or a small state. But in fact, this is not the case, since the territory of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg occupies 2,500 square meters. km, and in terms of population - 576,000 people.

The duchy is one of the richest in the world, with a high standard of living. People from different countries keep their savings here thanks to 1000 investment funds and banks, of which there are more than 200.

We have described amazing countries, so small, but so interesting and unusual. With its own history and modern life. If the information became interesting to you, share this article with your friends. Travel the world and all the best to you!

22.07.2014 at 23:03 · Johnny · 163 120

Top 10 smallest countries in the world

On the world political map There are about 250 officially recognized independent states in the world. Among them there are mighty powers that have significant weight in various international organizations and take an active part in the life of other states. As a rule, these states have enough (for example, Russia) and the amount of population (China).

Along with the giant countries, there are also very small states, the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich does not exceed 500 km², and the number of people living is comparable to the population of a small city. However, some of these countries play a very significant role. These, for example, include the state of the Vatican - the religious center of all Catholics, headed by the Pope.

As you may have guessed, today we have prepared a rating of the smallest countries in the world, the main criterion for the distribution of places is the area of ​​​​the territory occupied by the state.

10. Grenada | 344 sq. km

• Main language: English
• Capital: St. George's
• Number of population: 89.502 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $9,000

Grenada is an island state with a constitutional monarchy. Located in the Caribbean. It was first discovered by Columbus in the 14th century. In the agricultural sector, bananas, citrus fruits, nutmeg are grown, which are subsequently exported to other countries. Grenada is an offshore zone. Thanks to the provision of offshore financial services, the country's treasury is annually replenished by $ 7.4 million.

9. Maldives | 298 sq. km

• Main language: Maldivian
• Capital: Male
• Number of population: 393 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $7,675

The Republic of Maldives is located in an archipelago of more than 1,100 islands in the Indian Ocean. The Maldives is one of the best resorts in the world, therefore, along with fishing, the main share of the economy is the service sector (about 28% of GDP). There are all conditions for have a great holiday: magnificent nature with mild climate, . The abundance of different species of animals, among which are almost never found. The presence of beautiful underwater caves stretching along the entire archipelago, which will be a real gift for tourists who are fond of diving.

Interesting fact: With such a cluster of islands, there is not a single river or lake.

8. Saint Kitts and Nevis | 261 sq. km

• Main language: English
• Capital: Basseterre
• Population: 49.8 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $15,200

Saint Kitts and Nevis is a federation located on two islands of the same name, in the east of the Caribbean Sea. In terms of territory and population, this state is the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere. The climate is tropical. Due to this, the islands have a very rich flora and fauna. The main industry that provides most of the revenue to the treasury is tourism (70% of GDP). Agriculture is poorly developed, mainly sugarcane is grown. To modernize agriculture and industry in the country, a program was launched - "Citizen for Investment", thanks to which you can get by paying $ 250-450 thousand.

Interesting: Pavel Durov (creator of the social network VKontakte) has citizenship in this country.

7. Marshall Islands | 181 sq. km

• Main language: Marshallese, English
• Capital: Majuro
• Population: 53.1 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $2,851

Marshall Islands (republic), located in the Pacific Ocean. The country is located on an archipelago, which includes 29 atolls and 5 islands. The climate on the islands is different, from tropical - in the south, to semi-desert - in the north. Flora and fauna have been significantly altered by man, including the 1954 nuclear tests conducted by the United States. Therefore, on the islands, plant species characteristic of this area are practically not found; others were planted instead. The main sector of the economy is the service sector. The products produced in agriculture, for the most part, are used for their own needs within the country. The country has quite low taxes, which allows you to create an offshore zone. Due to poor infrastructure and high prices on transport (flight to the islands), tourism is at an early stage of development.

6. Liechtenstein | 160 sq. km

• Main language: German
• Capital: Vaduz
• Number of population: 36.8 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $141,000

The Principality of Liechtenstein is located in Western Europe bordering Switzerland and Austria. Although this state occupies a small area, it is very beautiful. Beautiful mountain scenery, because. the country is located in the Alps, also in the western part of the state flows the largest of Europe - the Rhine. The Principality of Liechtenstein is a technologically advanced state. Precision instrumentation enterprises operate in the country. Also, Liechtenstein is one of the largest financial centers in the world, with a highly developed banking sector. The country is very high level life and welfare. In terms of GDP per capita, it ranks second in the world, after Qatar, with an amount of 141,000 thousand dollars. Liechtenstein is a vivid example of the fact that even such a small country can exist with dignity and occupy a significant place in world politics and the economy.

5. San Marino | 61 sq. km

• Main language: Italian
• Capital: San Marino
• Number of population: 32 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $44,605

The Republic of San Marino is located in the southern part of Europe and borders Italy on all sides. San Marino is the oldest European state formed in the 3rd century. This country is located in a mountainous area, 80% of the territory lies on the western slope of Monte Titano. Ancient buildings and Mount Titano itself belong to the objects world heritage UNESCO. The basis of the economy is production, which gives 34% of GDP, and the service sector and tourism also play an important role.

4. Tuvalu | 26 sq. km

• Main language: Tuvalu, English
• Capital: Funafuti
• Number of population: 11.2 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $1,600

The state of Tuvalu is located on a cluster of atolls and islands (there are 9 in total) and is located in the Pacific Ocean. The climate in this country is tropical, with pronounced seasons - rains and droughts. Often, they pass through the islands. vegetable and animal world of this state is quite scarce and is represented mainly by animals brought to the islands - pigs, cats, dogs and plants - coconut palms, bananas, breadfruit. The economy of Tuvalu, like other countries in Oceania, is mainly made up of the public sector, and to a small extent agriculture and fishing. Also, Tuvalu is among the poorest in the world.

3. Nauru | 21.3 sq. km

• Main language: English, Nauruan
• Capital: None (Government is in Yaren County)
• Population: 10 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $5,000

Nauru is located on a coral island in the Pacific Ocean and is the smallest republic in the world. This country does not have a capital, which also makes it unique. The climate on the island is quite hot, with high humidity. One of the main problems of this country is the lack of fresh water. Just like in Tuvalu, the flora and fauna are very scarce. The main source of replenishment of the treasury for a long time was the extraction of phosphorites (in those years, the country was one of the richest countries in the world with a high GDP), but since the 90s, the level of production began to decline, and with it the well-being of the population. According to some estimates, phosphate reserves should have been sufficient until 2010. In addition, the development of phosphorites caused irreparable damage to the geology and ecosystem of the island. Tourism is not developed due to the severe pollution of the country.

2. Monaco | 2.02 sq. km

• Main language: French
• Capital: Monaco
• Number of population: 36 thousand people
• GDP per capita: $16,969

Notable: Monaco is the only state in which the number of regular troops (82 people) is less than in a military band (85 people).

1. Vatican | 0.44 sq. km

• Main language: Italian
• Form of government: Absolute theocratic monarchy
• Pope: Francis
• Number of population: 836 people

The Vatican is the leader of our ranking, is the smallest country in the world. This city-state is located inside Rome. The Vatican is the seat of the highest leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. The citizens of this state are subjects of the Holy See. The Vatican has a non-profit economy. Donations make up the bulk of the budget. Also, cash receipts to the treasury come from the tourism sector - payment for visiting museums, selling souvenirs, etc. The Vatican plays a significant role in the settlement of military conflicts, calling for the preservation of peace.

There is an opinion that the smallest country in the world is the Order of Malta, with an area of ​​0.012 km2, because. it has all the necessary attributes to be called a state (its own currency, passports, etc.), but its sovereignty is not recognized by all members of the world community.

It is worth noting that there is a so-called principality Sealand(from English - sea land), the area of ​​\u200b\u200bwhich is 550 sq.m. This state is located on a platform, not far from the coast of Great Britain. But, since the sovereignty of this state was not recognized by any country in the world, it was not included in our rating.

The smallest country in Eurasia - - 0.44 sq. km.
The smallest country on the African continent Seychelles – 455 sq. km.
The smallest country on the North American continent - - 261 sq. km.
The smallest country of the South American continent - Suriname - 163,821 sq. km.