Small in size countries. The smallest countries in the world by area and population

There are about 250 officially recognized independent states on the world political map of 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.

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.

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 a wonderful holiday: magnificent nature with a 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.

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.

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 undeveloped infrastructure and high prices for transport (flight to the islands), tourism is at an early stage of development.

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 has a very high standard of living and well-being. 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.

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 is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The basis of the economy is production, which gives 34% of GDP, and the service sector and tourism also play an important role.

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. The flora and fauna 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.

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.

2.02 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).

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.

8th place: - 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.

7th place: Liechtenstein- a state in Central Europe associated with Switzerland. Area - 160.4 km², population - 35,870 people.

6th place: - a state surrounded on all sides by Italy. Area - 61 km², population - 32,075 people.

5th place: - Pacific state, located on 5 atolls and 4 islands. The total area is 26 km². Population - 10 544 people. Tuvalu is one of them, and this country 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

4th place: - a state on the coral island of the same name 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 state, the smallest state in Oceania, the smallest state outside of Europe, and the only republic in the world without an official capital.

3rd place: - Principality associated with France. Monaco is located in southern Europe on the Mediterranean coast. Area - 2.02 km², population - 35,986 people.

2nd place: located inside the territory of Rome. The Vatican is a state associated with Italy. The area of the Vatican is 0.44 km². Population - 836 people.

The smallest country in Europe and the whole world - Order of Malta(not to be confused with the state of Malta), the full name is "The Sovereign Military Hospice Order of Saint John, Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta". Like the Vatican, the Order of Malta is located inside the territory of Rome. Since 1998, the Order has also owned Fort St. Angelo on the island of Malta. The area of territories controlled by the Order of Malta is 0.012 km². The order consists of 12.5 thousand people who can be considered citizens of this state. Not everyone recognizes the Order of Malta as a state, but the order has diplomatic relations with 104 states and is a permanent observer at the UN. The Order of Malta issues its own passports and license plates, prints its own currency and stamps, i.e. has almost all the signs of a full-fledged state.

The Palace of Malta in Rome - the actual capital of the Order of Malta

The smallest states by area by continents and parts of the world

The smallest country in Asia is the Maldives (area - 298 km²).

The smallest country in Oceania is Nauru (area - 21 km²).

The smallest country in Europe is the Order of Malta (area - 0.012 km²).

The smallest country in Africa is the Seychelles (area - 455 km²).

The smallest country in North America is Saint Kitts and Nevis (area - 261 km²).

The smallest country in South America is Suriname (163,270 km²).

The smallest countries in the world by population

Only independent (including associated) states recognized by other states are included.

10th place: Saint Kitts and Nevis(for this country, see above). Population - 49 898 people.

9th place: Liechtenstein(for this country, see above). Population - 35 870 people.

8th place: (for this country, see above). Population - 32 075 people.

7th place: Palau is an island state in the Pacific Ocean. It is in association with the USA. It consists of 328 islands with a total area of 458 km². Population - 20 842 people.

6th place: Cook Islands(for this country, see above). Population - 19 569 people.

5th place: Order of Malta(See above for more details). The order consists of 12.5 thousand people.

4th place: (for this country, see above). Population - 10 544 people.

3rd place: (for this country, see above). Population - 9 322 people.

2nd place: Niue- an island and a self-governing state entity of the same name in free association with New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. Area - 261.46 km², population - 1,398 people.

The smallest state in the world in terms of population - (see above about this country). Population - 836 people.

The smallest states in terms of population by continent and parts of the world

The smallest country in Asia - South Ossetia (population - 72,000 people) - is a partially recognized state: it was recognized by Russia and four other UN member states (Nicaragua, Nauru, Venezuela and Tuvalu).

The smallest country in Oceania is Niue (pop. 1,398)

The smallest country in Europe - the Vatican (population - 836 people)

The smallest country in Africa - Seychelles (population - 87,476 people)

The smallest country in North America is Saint Kitts and Nevis (pop. 49,898)

The smallest country in South America is Suriname (pop. 472,000)

All of the above countries and dependent territories are recognized by the international community or at least several states, however, there is a state not recognized by any country, which is smaller in area than the Order of Malta and in population less than the Vatican.
The Principality of Sealand, located on an offshore platform in the North Sea, 10 kilometers from the coast of Great Britain, has an area of only 0.00055 km² (550 m²). As for the population, in 2002 the authorities of Sealand stated that the population of the state was 27 people. However, at the same time, only a guard constantly lives on the territory of Sealand.

Physically, the territory of Sealand arose during the Second World War. In 1942, the British Navy built several platforms on the approaches to the coast. One of them was Roughs Tower. During the war, the platforms housed anti-aircraft guns and had a garrison of 200 men. After the end of hostilities, most of the towers were destroyed, but Roughs Tower, being outside British territorial waters, remained intact. In 1967, retired British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates announced the creation of the sovereign state of Sealand on the Roughs Tower platform and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. In 1972, Sealand began minting a coin. In 1975, Sealand's first constitution went into effect. There was a flag and coat of arms.
In 1997, it turned out that without the knowledge of the leadership of Sealand, the passports of this state were illegally distributed. In total, more than 150 thousand passports were sold, after which Sealand was forced to cancel the passports. In January 2007, the owners of the country announced their intention to sell it. Immediately after that, the torrent site The Pirate Bay began raising funds for the acquisition of Sealand in order to achieve independence from the authorities of other states, but the deal did not take place.
Sealand official website - sealandgov.org

Only independent states recognized by other states are included. Also included are associated states (a form of confederation of unequal states united on a bilateral basis, in which a smaller state, while formally maintaining sovereignty and independence, entrusts a significant part of its power to a larger state).

10th place: - a state in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea, consisting of two islands - St. Kitts and Nevis. The area of the country is 261 km². Population - 49 898 people. Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country in Latin America in terms of area and population.

The southeastern peninsula of St. Kitts, with the island of Nevis in the background

9th place: Cook Islands- an archipelago and a self-governing state entity of the same name in free association with New Zealand in the South Pacific Ocean. Area - 236 km², population - 19,569 people.

7th place: Liechtenstein- a state in Central Europe associated with Switzerland. Area - 160.4 km², population - 35,870 people.

6th place: - a state surrounded on all sides by Italy. Area - 61 km², population - 32,075 people.

5th place: - Pacific state, located on 5 atolls and 4 islands. The total area is 26 km². Population - 10 544 people. Tuvalu is one of the poorest countries in the world and this country 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

3rd place: - Principality associated with France. Monaco is located in southern Europe on the Mediterranean coast. Area - 2.02 km², population - 35,986 people.

2nd place: located inside the territory of Rome. The Vatican is a state associated with Italy. The area of the Vatican is 0.44 km². Population - 836 people.

The Palace of Malta in Rome - the actual capital of the Order of Malta

The smallest states by area by continents and parts of the world

The smallest country in Asia is the Maldives (area - 298 km²).

The smallest country in Oceania is Nauru (area - 21 km²).

The smallest country in Europe is the Order of Malta (area - 0.012 km²).

The smallest country in Africa is the Seychelles (area - 455 km²).

The smallest country in North America is Saint Kitts and Nevis (area - 261 km²).

The smallest country in South America is Suriname (163,270 km²).

The smallest countries in the world by population

Only independent (including associated) states recognized by other states are included.

10th place: (for this country, see above). Population - 49 898 people.