Smallest Country in the World

The world is full of these amazing small countries, each having its own special heritage and unique culture. It's interesting to know that even though they're tiny compared to other countries, a handful of them actually have a huge impact on global politics and the economy. Vatican City claims the title of the smallest country in the world, boasting a population of approximately 800 individuals and occupying a mere 0.44 square kilometers of land. So, let's dive more deeply into the list of the smallest countries in the world and also explore their population and land area to get the full picture. Below is the list of Smallest Country in the world by area for each Continent. To check complete list, see the bigger table of countries below.

Smallest Country in the World in each continent

Asia

Asia, the biggest of all the continents, encompasses approximately 30% of the Earth's total land mass. It's worth noting that the Maldives, situated in the southern region of Asia, claims the title of being the smallest country in Asia. Comprising 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives covers an area of roughly 116 square miles and is home to approximately 427,756 people.

Europe

Positioned within Rome, the capital of Italy, Vatican City boasts the distinction of being the smallest country in the Europe continent. As of 2023, this remarkable city-state is home to over 800 individuals, all residing within an incredibly compact area spanning a mere 0.44 square kilometers.

Africa

Seychelles is the smallest nation in the African continent which covers 459 km2 (177 sq mi) area and is home to around 100,092 individuals. The cultural and societal fabric of Seychelles is a diverse blend, combining influences from French, British, and African origins.

North America

St. Kitts and Nevis is the smallest nation in North America that spans around 261 square kilometers and provides home to around 53,544 residents.

Antarctica

It holds the title of the 5th biggest continent in the world and covers a 14,200,000 square kilometer area on Earth. Since there is no country in Antarctica, there is no smallest country.

South America

Suriname holds the record of being the smallest nation in South America covering a total of 163,820 square kilometers of land. Suriname is a country that is home to approximately 612,985 people. It is surrounded by different regions: the Atlantic Ocean on the north side, French Guiana on the east, Guyana on the west, and Brazil on the south.

Oceanian

The smallest country in the Oceanian continent is Nauru and it has a land area spanning a mere 21 square kilometers. The estimated population of this nation is around 10,834. 


 

Some of the information about the countries is as follows:

Vatican City
Vatican City holds the record of being the smallest country in the world which is positioned in Rome, the capital of Italy. As of 2023, 800+ people reside in Vatican City in a small area of only 0.44 square kilometers. The country is surrounded by tall walls, with ceremonial guards from Switzerland monitoring its entrances. A large number of people around the globe visit Vatican City as it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Europe. St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City are incredible architectural marvels that have been around for centuries and still manage to leave people in awe.
  • The entire population of the country is within the measurement of less than a single square kilometer of space
  • Some of the common nationalities are Swiss, Argentian, Italian, and such
  • Some of the commonly spoken languages here are French, Italian, and Latin.
Monaco
Situated on the southeast coast of France, Monaco holds 2nd place in the list of the smallest countries in the world. It covers just 2.02 square kilometers, with a population of around 39,000 people. It's totally normal to see fancy private yachts parked at the harbor and expensive sports cars and luxury rides cruising around the streets of Monaco. The Formula One race zooming through the streets of Monte Carlo is the biggest sporting event that draws in huge crowds of spectators.
  • It is situated in the western Europe region
  • Monte Carlo is known as the largest administrative by the sense of population
  • Monte Carlo is also famous across the world for its tax policies and such
San Marino
San Marino holds the record of being the 5th smallest country in the world according to its land area which is 61 square km and it is a home for around 34,000 individuals. It proudly bears the distinction of being Europe's oldest republic, with a legacy that stretches back to the year 301.
  • This microstate is situated in the Italian Peninsula
  • Italian is the primary language of this country
  • This country has a comparable economy to that of Italy
Liechtenstein
  • This country is located in Europe
  • This country is divided into 11 of its municipalities
  • Since this country has a strong financial sector, it has one of the highest GDPs
Nauru
Nauru is the third smallest nation in the world, and it's essentially a diminutive isolated island state situated in the Pacific Ocean. The country spans 21 square kilometers and is home to approximately 11,000 residents. Nauru has contributed significantly as a vital supply of phosphate, an ingredient employed heavily in industry and the manufacturing of fertilizers, for about 100 years.
  • It is an actual island that is located in Micronesia
  • It is also known as the least populous country in Oceania
  • Nauruan is said to be the largest ethnic group in this country
Marshall Islands
  • This is an island country that is situated in the United States
  • The majority of the population in this country is Marshallese
  • The languages being spoken in this country are Marshallese and English
Tuvalu
Tuvalu holds the distinction of being the 4th smallest country in the world and it spans 26 square kilometers. The population of Tuvalu is around 11,200 people and the folks in Tuvalu make a living mainly through fishing and welcoming tourists. It is situated between Australia and Hawaii and was built from six magnificent atolls and three lovely coastal islands.
  • It is found in the Pacific Ocean
  • Before gaining independence in the year 1978, it was originally owned by the United Kingdom
  • Polynesians are the major ethnic group of this country
Maldives
  • It is an island that is situated in the Indian Ocean-Arabian Sea region
  • People from Sri Lanka and southern India are said to be the earliest inhabitants of this island
  • In terms of ethical relations, the people of this island are related to the Indian subcontinent
Malta
  • Even though it is a small country, it is also a densely populated country
  • This country has free-standing structures in the world
  • The national language of this country is Maltese
Saint Kitts and Nevis
  • In the Western Hemisphere, it is one of the smallest sovereign states
  • It is also the sole sovereign federation in the Caribbean
  • One of the first islands that the Europeans colonized is Saint Kitts and Nevis
Thus, this are all the information that was there to know about the respective countries.



Here is the list of 100 smallest countries in the world based on area.