Smallest Countries in the World - Top 10 ( With Total Area )
by Surya | Updated Mar 18, 2023
Smallest Countries in the World
A country is a unique area of the world, similar to a state, a nation, or another type of political organization. It might be a standalone state or a constituent part of a bigger state. For instance, Wales is a part of the United Kingdom, a multi-part sovereign state, whereas Japan is a separate, independent sovereign state. A nation might be a historically sovereign region, like Korea, a territory with an united government today, like Senegal, or a non-sovereign geographic area, like the Basque Country, that has particular unique political, ethnic, or cultural traits. Nations exist in a variety of sizes and shapes. According to reports from USA Today, the United States, Canada, and Russia are some of the largest sovereign nations in terms of surface area. The Caribbean and the South Pacific Ocean both contain some of the smallest nations on earth.
Top 10 Smallest Country in the World
S. No
Smallest Country Name
Total Area (in km ²)
Vatican City
0.49 km ²
Monaco
2.02 km ²
Nauru
21 km ²
Tuvalu
26 km ²
San Marino
61 km ²
Liechtenstein
160 km ²
Marshall Islands
181 km ²
Saint Kitts and Nevis
261 km ²
Maldives
300 km ²
Malta
316 km ²
Top 10 World Smallest Countries
Below given are the details and the list of the Top 10 smallest country in the world:
1. Vatican City
With a total size of just one square kilometer, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. It is an Italian city-state that is a landlocked sovereign city-state and is situated within Rome. The Roman Catholic Church is headquartered in the State of Vatican City.
Moreover, Vatican City State serves as the Holy See's home territory, the location of the bishop jurisdiction, and the seat of the Catholic Church's central administration.
2. Monaco
The second-smallest nation in terms of land area is Monaco, a city-state on the French Riviera. The distance between the Italian border and Nice, France is only 9 miles and 5 miles, respectively. Monaco is the world's most densely inhabited sovereign state. Although being one of the smallest countries in the world, it is well known as a favorite destination for the rich and many millionaires. Visitors are drawn there by the abundance of gambling establishments and the pleasant weather.
3. Nauru
A Micronesia island called Nauru is situated northeast of Australia. It used to be called Pleasant Island. The tiniest republic in the world, it is. Nauru depends primarily on imports from Australia because it lacks many natural resources. With Australia, Nauru agreed to accept more than 1000 asylum seekers in exchange for millions of dollars in help.
4. Tuvalu
The South Pacific contains the nine main islands of Tuvalu, a Polynesian archipelago. The Ellice Islands was its previous name. Tuvalu can be found in the Central Pacific Ocean, slightly south of the equator. East of the Solomon Islands, it is located north of Fiji.
5. San Marino
Officially, San Marino is referred to as the Republic of San Marino. In northern Italy, it is a landlocked region. San Marino's population speaks Italian. There are five microstates in Europe, including San Marino. San Marino claims to be the oldest republic in the world, and its constitution dates back to the year 1600.
6. Liechtenstein
A landlocked principality between Austria and Switzerland is called Liechtenstein. German is widely spoken, and Vaduz is the country's capital. Here's an interesting fact: 34% of the population is thought to be foreign-born.
7. Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands are made up of a network of coral atolls and volcanic islands. It is situated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, halfway between the Philippines and Hawaii. The Marshall Islands are now an independent country after having been a U.S. colony in the past. For people seeking pleasant weather and rest, the nation is a well-liked vacation spot.
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis, which are in the eastern Caribbean Sea, is another well-liked vacation spot. It is also referred to as Saint Christopher and Nevis and is formally known as the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Tourism has supplanted sugarcane production as the country's economic mainstay, which it was once known for. English is used exclusively.
9. Maldives
A group of islands known as the Maldives are found in the Indian Ocean. It crosses the equator. It is a well-liked holiday destination since it has stunning beaches and resorts. Maldives' largest and capital city is Male. The primary language spoken there is Maldivian, and Islam is the dominant religion.
10. Malta
In the Mediterranean Sea, south of Sicily, sits the island nation of Malta (Italy). Malta, Gozo, and Comino are its three constituent islands. Islet Malta is the biggest. Malta is a well-liked vacation destination with a pleasant climate. Major motion pictures like "Game of Thrones" and "Gladiator" were filmed in the nation, which is why tourists adore it.
What is the Smallest Country in the World?
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. It is a nation-state in Rome, Italy, and is where the Roman Catholic Church's world headquarters are situated. According to reports from various online sources including USA Today, the country is only 0.19 square miles, or 0.49 square kilometers, in size. There are between 800 and 900 individuals living in Vatican City. The smallest member state of the UN and the smallest country with a coastline is Monaco. Continue reading to learn more about the smallest country, Vatican City.
Smallest Countries in the World - FAQs
A country is a unique area of the world, similar to a state, a nation, or another type of political organization.
With a total size of just one square kilometer, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.
The second-smallest nation in terms of land area is Monaco, a city-state on the French Riviera.
The largest country in the world is Russia.