The smallest country in the world name. The ten smallest countries in the world. I would like to tell you about another interesting state of South America - Saint Kitts and Nevis

We present the Top of the smallest countries in the world, both in area and in population.

The smallest countries by area:

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 retaining its sovereignty and independence, trusts a significant part of its powers of power to a larger state).

10th place:- the state in the eastern part Caribbean, consisting of two islands - Saint 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.

Southeast Peninsula of Saint Kitts, in the background - the island of Nevis

9th place: Cook islands- archipelago and self-governing state entity of the same name in free association with New Zealand in the southern part The Pacific... Area - 236 km², population - 19,569 people.


8th place:- a Pacific state associated with the United States. Republic 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: is a 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 have been even poorer if the country's leadership had not guessed to auction the national domain zone.tv and a buyer was quickly found, because zona.tv is a tidbit for TV companies and video sites. Tuvalu now receives $ 1 million each quarter in exchange for the right to use the.tv domain zone.


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


3rd place: Monaco- a principality associated with France. Monaco is located in the south of Europe on the coast Mediterranean Sea... Area - 2.02 km², population - 35 986 people.


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


The smallest state in Europe and the whole world - Order of Malta(not to be confused with the state of Malta), the full name is "Sovereign Military Hospitable Order of St. John, Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta". Like the Vatican, the Order of Malta is located within the territory of Rome. Since 1998, the Order has also owned Fort Sant'Angelo on the island of Malta. The area of ​​the territories controlled by the Order of Malta is 0.012 km². The order includes 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 car plate numbers, prints its own currency and stamps, i.e. has almost all the signs of a full-fledged state.


Maltese palace in Rome - the actual capital of the Order of Malta

The smallest states in terms of 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).
  • Smallest country North America- Saint Kitts and Nevis (area - 261 km²).
  • The smallest country in South America is Suriname (area 163 270 km²).

The smallest countries in the world by population:

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

  • 10th place: (about this country, see above). Population - 49 898 people.
  • 9th place: Liechtenstein(about this country see above). Population - 35 870 people.
  • 8th place: (about this country, see above). Population - 32,075 people.
  • 7th place: Palau is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. It is in association with the United States. Consists of 328 islands, with a total area of ​​458 km². Population - 20 842 people.
  • 6th place: Cook islands(about this country see above). Population - 19,569 people.
  • 5th place: Order of Malta(for more details see above). The order includes 12.5 thousand people.
  • 4th place: (about this country, see above). Population - 10 544 people.
  • 3rd place: (about this country, see above). Population - 9 322 people.
  • 2nd place: Niue- an island and self-governing state entity of the same name in free association with New Zealand in the South Pacific. Area - 261.46 km², population - 1,398 people.
  • The smallest state in the world in terms of population is (about this country, see above). Population - 836 people.

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

  • The smallest country in Asia - South Ossetia (population - 72,000) - 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 (population - 1,398 people)
  • The smallest country in Europe - Vatican (population - 836 people)
  • The smallest country in Africa - Seychelles (population - 87 476 people)
  • The smallest country in North America - Saint Kitts and Nevis (population - 49,898 people)
  • The smallest country in South America is Suriname (population 472,000)

All of the above countries and dependent territories recognized by the international community or at least by several states, however, there is a state not recognized by any country, which is smaller in area than the Order of Malta and smaller in population than the Vatican.
The Principality of Sealand, located on an offshore platform in the North Sea 10 kilometers off the coast of Great Britain, has an area of ​​just 0.00055 km² (550 m²). As for the population, in 2002 the Sealand authorities declared 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 emerged during the Second World War. In 1942, the British Navy built several platforms on the approaches to the coast. One of them was the Rafs Tower. During the war, anti-aircraft guns were placed on the platforms and a garrison of 200 people was stationed. After the end of hostilities, most of the towers were destroyed, but the Rafs Tower, outside British territorial waters, remained intact. In 1967, retired British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates announced the creation of the sovereign state of Sealand (Sealand, in English "sea land") on the territory of the Rafs Tower platform and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. In 1972, Sealand began minting coins. In 1975, the first constitution of Sealand entered into force. The flag and coat of arms appeared.
In 1997, it turned out that without the knowledge of the Sealand leadership, the passports of this state were being 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 Pirate Bay torrent site began raising funds for the acquisition of Sealand in order to achieve independence from the authorities of other states, but the deal did not materialize.
Sealand official website - sealandgov.org

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 those and this country would have been even poorer if the country's leadership had not guessed to auction the national domain zone.tv and a buyer was quickly found, because zona.tv is a tidbit for TV companies and video sites. Tuvalu now receives $ 1 million each quarter 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 Europe and the only republic in the world without an official capital.

3rd place: - a principality associated with France. Monaco is located in the south of Europe on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. 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 Vatican area is 0.44 km². Population - 836 people.

The smallest state in Europe and the whole world - Order of Malta(not to be confused with the state of Malta), the full name is "Sovereign Military Hospitable Order of St. John, Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta". Like the Vatican, the Order of Malta is located within the territory of Rome. Since 1998, the Order has also owned Fort Sant'Angelo on the island of Malta. The area of ​​the territories controlled by the Order of Malta is 0.012 km². The order includes 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.

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

The smallest states in terms of 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 (area 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(about this country see above). Population - 49 898 people.

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

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

7th place: Palau is an island nation in the Pacific Ocean. It is in association with the United States. Consists of 328 islands, with a total area of ​​458 km². Population - 20 842 people.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The smallest country in Asia - South Ossetia (population - 72,000) - 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 (population - 1,398 people)

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

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

The smallest country in North America - Saint Kitts and Nevis (population - 49,898 people)

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

All of the above countries and dependent territories are recognized by the international community or at least by several states, however, there is a state not recognized by any country, which is smaller in area than the Order of Malta and smaller in population than the Vatican.
The Principality of Sealand, located on an offshore platform in the North Sea 10 kilometers off the coast of Great Britain, has an area of ​​just 0.00055 km² (550 m²). As for the population, in 2002 the Sealand authorities declared 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 emerged during the Second World War. In 1942, the British Navy built several platforms on the approaches to the coast. One of them was the Rafs Tower. During the war, anti-aircraft guns were placed on the platforms and a garrison of 200 people was stationed. After the end of hostilities, most of the towers were destroyed, but the Rafs Tower, outside British territorial waters, remained intact. In 1967, retired British Army Major Paddy Roy Bates announced the creation of the sovereign state of Sealand (Sealand, in English "sea land") on the territory of the Rafs Tower platform and proclaimed himself Prince Roy I. In 1972, Sealand began minting coins. In 1975, the first constitution of Sealand entered into force. The flag and coat of arms appeared.
In 1997, it turned out that without the knowledge of the Sealand leadership, the passports of this state were being 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 Pirate Bay torrent site began raising funds for the acquisition of Sealand in order to achieve independence from the authorities of other states, but the deal did not materialize.
Sealand official website - sealandgov.org

Our beautiful planet has a huge number of countries, with different cultures, religions, climates, and of course different sizes of territory.

There are countries on Earth that are so small that they could fit, for example, on the square of one of the districts of the city of Moscow.

Despite their size, they are still states, with their own history, flags, government, people. Such countries are usually very exotic and differ greatly from large states in their way of life. Let's take a look at 10 smallest countries in the world.

So, the 10 smallest countries on the planet

1. Maldives

Maldives is the smallest country in Asia

Island country Maldives is located in the Indian Ocean and is the smallest An Asian country ... The area of ​​the country is 298 sq. km. with a population of 396 thousand. The capital of the country, Male, is home to two-thirds of the population.

Previously, the country developed thanks to the export of dried tuna, cowrie shellfish and coconut ropes, now the main income comes from tourism.

2. Seychelles

Seychelles - heaven on earth

The islands have developed thanks to the export of coconut, vanilla and cinnamon. In 1976, when the country gained independence, tourism became the main source of income.

3. Liechtenstein

This state is landlocked. The area of ​​the country is 160.4 sq. kilometers. Liechtenstein borders Switzerland and is one of the richest states. There are more companies registered here than residents.

4. Nauru

Nauru is located in the South Pacific Ocean in Micronesia. The area of ​​the state is 21.3 sq. kilometers.

They gained independence in 1968, but the island has been home to the Aborigines for 3 thousand years. Today the population of the country is about 9 thousand people. The state of Nauru has no armed forces.

5. Vatican

The Vatican is a city-state located in the very center of Rome.

The Vatican is a closed city-state located in one of the districts of Rome and covering an area of ​​44 hectares. It was founded in 1929 and is run by the Pope.

The Vatican boasts some of the most beautiful buildings in the world - The Sistine Chapel, Saint Paul's Cathedral, the residence of the Pope - Apostolic palace and others. In addition, half of the country's territory is occupied by Vatican gardens... Official approximately 800 citizens of the Vatican and several thousand Italians commute here to work every day.

6. Monaco

The second smallest country in the world is Monaco... Over the past 20 years, thanks to the drainage of the sea, the country's area has increased and now it occupies an area 2.02 sq. kilometers. Monaco is the second smallest monarchical state.

The country is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with 30 thousand inhabitants. The main income for residents comes from tourism.

7. Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis

This dwarf state is located in the West Indies - between the North and South America on the islands of the Atlantic Ocean.

The state is located on two islands with an area of ​​261 sq. km.

These were the first islands inhabited by Europeans. The main source of income, of course, is tourism, but there are also developed Agriculture and offshore banking.

8. Marshall Islands

Marshall Islands is White sand, blue sky and small islands of paradise

This state in the center of the Pacific Ocean consists mainly of coral islands. The area of ​​the country is 181 sq. kilometer, population 62 thousand.

In 1986, the Islands gained independence from the United States, but so far only America's help has helped them "keep afloat." The country has no natural resources and imports of goods far exceed exports.

9. San Marino

San Marino is the oldest independent country in the world.

San Marino covers an area of ​​61 sq. kilometer and has the smallest population of the member states of the European Council. It is the oldest independent country in the world., it was founded on September 3, 301. In addition, San Marino is one of the richest countries in the world, with incomes exceeding expenses.

10. Tuvalu

Previously, these islands belonged to the British Crown and were called Ellis Islands. Tuvalu gained independence from the British in 1978. The population of the country is 10.5 thousand people. Due to the lack of natural resources, Tuvalu has to live off the help of other countries.

This is a list of the 15 smallest countries in the world. Countries comparable in size to small town... You can walk almost every one of these countries from edge to edge in less than a day.

The smallest state on earth. The Vatican is located on the territory Of the eternal city Rome, on the hill of Monte Vaticano and has the length of the state border, only 3.2 km. In a few hours, you can easily walk around the whole country. According to official figures, the population of the Vatican is just over 800 people. Another 3,000 people are not citizens of the country, but they come here to work every day.

The Vatican is one of the largest museums under open air... Here it is real treasure works of art and architectural monuments, relics of Christianity and unique creations of great masters are kept. A huge number of believers and tourists visit the territory of the Vatican every day.

The second place in the list of micro states is occupied by the Principality of Monaco. Its territory is 1.95 sq. km. The length of the state border with France is 4.4 km. The population density in Monaco, unlike the Vatican, is very high - the country is one of the most populous countries in the world. Locals mainly engaged in serving tourists who are attracted here by the magnificent beaches and a huge number of gambling establishments.

The Republic of Nauru is a dwarf state on the coral island of the same name in the western part of the Pacific Ocean with an area of ​​21.3 km² and a population of 12 thousand people. Nauru is the smallest independent republic on Earth, the smallest island state, the smallest state outside Europe and the only republic in the world without an official capital.

Tuvalu is a dwarf Pacific state in Polynesia. The length of the coastal strip is 21 km. The state is located on 5 atolls and 4 islands of the Tuvalu archipelago. The total land area is 26 km². The population of the country is 14 thousand people. The islands gained independence in 1978 (before that the archipelago was a British colony).

The name of the country, translated from the Tuvalu language, it means "eight standing together" (meaning the eight traditionally inhabited islands of Tuvalu. most of which is located no higher than 5 meters above sea level. The country lives on the help of other countries, because does not have its own natural resources.

5. San Marino

European state, surrounded on all sides by the territory of Italy. The name comes from the name of the Christian saint who founded the state. The country claims to be the oldest state in Europe. The area of ​​the state is 60.57 km². Almost 80% of the country's territory is occupied by mountains and rock massifs. Population - 33 thousand people. San Marino is one of the few modern countries with positive economic performance. State revenues exceed expenditures and the country has no external debt.

Another dwarf European state. The area of ​​the country is 160 km². The name of the country comes from the ruling dynasty of Liechtenstein. The principality is located in the spurs of the Alps, the most high point- Mount Graushpitz (2599 m). One of the largest rivers in Western Europe, the Rhine, flows through the western part of the country. The population of the country is 38 thousand people.

Despite its size, Liechtenstein is a thriving industrial country with a developed banking system. In addition, the Principality of Liechtenstein is included in the black list of "tax havens" - states where residents of other countries evade taxation.

The Marshall Islands is a Pacific state in Micronesia. The state is located on 29 atolls and 5 islands of the Marshall Islands archipelago. The length of the coastal strip is 370.4 km. The total land area is 181.3 km² and 11 673 km² are occupied by lagoons. The population of the Marshall Islands is 65 thousand people.

The maximum height above sea level is 10 meters. In the event of a significant rise in the level of the World Ocean or global climate change, serious environmental consequences are inevitable on individual islands.

The Republic of the Marshall Islands has no permanent armed forces... According to the signed agreement, the United States is responsible for the country's security and defense. They have a duty to protect the Republic of the Marshall Islands and its citizens from outside attacks and threats.

Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is a state in the eastern part of the Caribbean Sea, consisting of two islands - Saint Kitts and Nevis. Both islands are of volcanic origin and mountainous. The area of ​​the country is 261 km². Population - 53 thousand people. The total length of the coastline is 135 km.

The islands were discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493, but the Spaniards did not colonize them. For a long time Great Britain and France fought for the possession of the islands. In 1983, the Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis became independent.

The islands have rich tropical vegetation. Mountain areas covered with dense tropical forests and orchards. Vines, mangoes, bread and cinnamon trees, tamarind, avocados, bananas, papaya grow here. On the tops of the mountains, forests give way to meadows, with no less abundant vegetation. The forests are inhabited by numerous tropical birds and butterflies, monkeys are found. Many seabirds nest on the coast, including pelicans. The waters abound in fish.

The Republic of Maldives or simply the Maldives is a state in South Asia, located on a group of atolls in the Indian Ocean, south of India. The state is a chain of 20 atolls, consisting of 1,192 coral islets. The population is about 330 thousand people. The total area is 90 thousand km², the land area is 298 km². Capital Male - the only city and the port of the archipelago - located on the atoll of the same name and is the smallest capital in the world. However, Male is home to a third of the country's total population.

The economy is based on tourist services. Hot, but comfortable weather all year round (air temperature from 24 to 30 °) made Maldives a place of pilgrimage for tourists from all over the world. Fishing is in second place.

The Republic of Malta is an island state in the Mediterranean Sea. The country consists of three inhabited islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino and many small and uninhabited islands. The territory of the state is 316 km². The population of Malta is 420 thousand people. The country bears the title of the least populated state in the European Union.

The main branch of the economy of Malta is tourism. Most of the cultural and historical attractions are associated with the Knights of the Order of the John (Order of Malta). Due to the wide variety of urban and natural landscapes Malta is popular place filming feature films. Malta is the only country in Europe that lacks rivers, lakes and its own sources of fresh water.

Grenada is an island state in the southeast of the Caribbean, occupying the island of Grenada and the southern part of the Grenadines. The total area is 344 sq. km. Population - 110 thousand people.

The island of Grenada is of volcanic origin. In the center of the island lies a wooded mountain range, over which rises Mount St. Catherine (840 m), the highest point in the country. There are few rivers on the island, but there are many streams and springs. Grenada's economy is based on tourism as well as offshore financial business.

The song "Grenada", written by M. Svetlov in 1926, as it turned out, has nothing to do with the state of Grenada.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is an independent state in the Caribbean. The territory consists of the island of Saint Vincent and 32 small islets of the Grenadines group. The area is 389 km². Population - 105 thousand people.

On the island of Saint Vincent there is active volcano Soufriere. In our era alone, it has erupted at least 160 times already. The last eruption was in 1979. The beaches of the island are covered with black volcanic sand; the exception is white sandy beaches at the southern tip of the island.

Barbados is a small state in the West Indies, located on the island of the same name, resembling a pear in shape. The island is 431 km² in size and is mostly flat with small hills in the middle. Population - 290 thousand people. Barbados is one of the leading developing countries in terms of living standards and literacy of the population.

The economy is based on tourism. Many historical monuments associated with the rise of piracy in the Caribbean. Also Barbados is famous for the production of the famous pirate rum. Approximately every 3 years the island finds itself in a hurricane zone and suffers greatly from the elements.

Antigua and Barbuda is a state in the West Indies located on three islands- Antigua, Barbuda and Redonda. The total area is 442 km². Population 90 thousand people.

The main source of income is tourism. Antigua and Barbuda is ready to receive tourists 365 days a year. Coastline Antigua forms many bays (in fact, these are relic volcanic craters) and a long strip of first-class beaches (it is believed that there are exactly 365 of them on the islands). There are both beaches with developed infrastructure and completely wild, secluded corners.

The Republic of Seychelles is an island state in East Africa. Located in the western part Indian Ocean, slightly south of the equator. The republic includes 115 islands, only 33 of them are inhabited. The islands cover an area of ​​455 square kilometers. The population of the country is about 90 thousand people.

The main source of income Seychelles for a long time there have been exports of cinnamon, coconut and vanilla. Since 1976, when Great Britain granted independence to the Seychelles, tourism (up to 75% of foreign exchange earnings) has become the main source of income.

The fruit of the Seychelles palm, which grows only in the Seychelles, weighs 20 kg and is considered the largest fruit in the plant kingdom.