Trifter

Countries all over the world come in all different shapes and sizes. A look at a map of the globe will reveal numerous sizes and shapes of the world’s sovereign countries and territories.

However, on most world maps the first countries that we immediately take notice of are the huge, gargantuan countries that occupy a lot of landmass – Russia, Canada, the United States, China, Brazil, Mexico and India. We also notice a few of the medium-sized countries like France, Algeria, Mongolia and Argentina. Countries that occupy small dots on the globe, like Israel, Lebanon, Singapore and Belgium, could be found if searched for carefully.

But there are some countries that are so small that they are almost never included on the world map. Some of these countries sit on the border of other countries. Some are actually within the borders of much larger countries but are still considered sovereign countries. Some are no bigger than the District of Columbia. The Vatican City and Monaco, in fact, would fit very comfortably together inside Chicago’s Lincoln Park.

Here are some facts on the world’s ten smallest countries:

1. Vatican City

    Land area: 109 acres

    Population: roughly 1,000

    Briefly: Located within the boundaries of the city of Rome, Italy, it became independent in 1929; serves as the spiritual and governmental center of the Roman Catholic Church; has its own lighting and street-cleaning services, mail system, telephone system and water supply; none of the 1,000 residents are considered permanent residents.

2. Monaco

    Land area: 0.75 square miles

    Population: 34,000

    Briefly: Became independent in 1861; is ruled by a monarch; located in the French Rivera, it is one of the world’s most expensive countries; is a renown tax haven.

3. Nauru

    Land area: 8 square miles

    Population: 15,000

    Briefly: Gained independence in 1968; oval-shaped island part of Micronesia; has no capital city, governmental offices are in southwestern part of the country; most of population lives along 12-mile coastline.

4. Tuvalu

    Land area: 10 square miles

    Population: 12,000

    Briefly: Became independent in 1978; located 2,000 miles northeast of Australia; consists of nine-island chain that extends 360 miles; one of the world’s least-developed countries, has poor soil, no manufacturing or mining, relies mostly on tourism and on fees from foreign vessels operating within its waters.

5. San Marino

    Land area: 24 square miles

    Population: 29,000

    Briefly: Became independent in 1631; located in Apennine Mountains of northeast Italy; major tourist center; most residents work for tourist industry; capital, also called San Marino, is situated on Mount Titano and is surrounded by stone wall.

6. Liechtenstein

   Land area: 62 square miles

   Population: 36,000

   Briefly: Has been independent since 1719; located along Rhine River between Switzerland and Austria; is a constitutional monarchy; world-renown tax haven and banking center.

7. Marshall Islands

    Land area: 70 square miles

    Population: 68,000

    Briefly: Became independent in 1986; islands are actually scattered over 780,000 square miles of ocean; located in North Pacific; U.S responsible for country’s defense; most inhabitants are Micronesians.

8. Saint Kitts and Nevis

    Land area: 101 square miles

    Population: 44,000

    Briefly: Became independent in 1983; consists of two islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, which are only 2 miles apart; located 190 miles east of Puerto Rico; is a constitutional monarchy, member of the Commonwealth of Nations; economy is based on sugar and tourism.

9. Seychelles

    Land area: 107 square miles

    Population: 86,000

    Briefly: Became independent in 1976; consists of 115 islands scattered across 400,000 square miles of Indian Ocean; 90 percent of population is mixed African and European ancestry; most men and women live together without marrying, half of children are born to unmarried couples; due to declining tourism because of worldwide recession, country is in danger of becoming bankrupt.

10. Maldives

      Land area: 115

      Population: 313,000

      Briefly: Became independent in 1965; consists of 1,200 islands that form a 475-mile chain in the Indian Ocean, only 200 islands are populated; about 80 islands are reserved for tourists; none of the islands cover more than 5 square miles; is the smallest country in Asia; economy depends mainly on fishing and tourism.