Top 15 Smallest Countries in The World

You will be surprised to know that there are some countries in the world which are smaller than many big cities of the world with a population of a few thousand.

You may consider it as a joke but it is damn true. Today we will present to you 15 such countries in the world that are very small in terms of area and population.

The total area of a country is defined as the area including both land and water which is encompassed by the country’s borders. It is usually measured in terms of miles squared or kilometers squared. While few of the largest countries in the world are Russia (6.59 million square miles), Canada (3.85 million square miles), and China (3.75 million square miles).

List of the Top 15 Smallest Countries in the World as of 2022

Below is the complete list of the 15 smallest countries in the world in terms of area. Check out!

1. Vatican City

Area: 0.2 square miles

Vatican City is the world’s smallest country spread across an area of just 0.2 square miles. The Vatican has a population of just 770, out of which no one is a permanent resident of the Vatican.

The tiny country is the spiritual center for the world’s Roman Catholics who are more than 1 billion spread all across the world. The pope is the head of the catholic church. Vatican city is also known as the Holy See that is surrounded by Rome, Italy.

2. Monaco

Area: 0.7 square miles

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world that is located along the French Riviera on the French Mediterranean coast near Nice.

Monaco is spread across an area of 0.7 square miles that is known for its Monte Carlo casinos, Grand Prix and Princess Grace. It has been independent off-and-on since the 13th century.

3. Nauru

Area: 8.5 square miles

Nauru ranks third in our list of the world’s smallest countries with a population of 13,000 residents. The Pacific island Nauru covering 8.5 square miles relies heavily on its phosphate deposits that are depleting fast.

Nauru was earlier known as Pleasant island that gained independence from Australia in 1968. 90% of Nauru residents are obese with an average body weight of 100 kilograms.

4. Tuvalu

Area: 9 square miles

Tuvalu, a Polynesian island nation has a total of 8 islands that is there in existence as a state since the 11th century.

However, it was recognized as a sovereign state in 1978. Tuvalu known earlier as Ellice Islands is home to 12,000 people spread across 9 square miles.

5. San Marino

Area: 24 square miles

San Marino is one of the richest nations in Europe Located on Mt. Titano in north-central Italy on the Appalachian peninsula. San Marino is spread across an area of 24 square miles where 29,000 residents live. San Marino claims that it is the oldest state in Europe, founded in the fourth century.

San Marino’s football team has been losing consistently in the European Qualification rounds and the World Championship qualification in Europe. Even though they have not achieved success in football, San Marino is a well-developed nation with a wealthy population.

6. Liechtenstein

Area: 62 square miles

Liechtenstein is the world’s sixth smallest country located on the Rhine River between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps. There are approximately 35,000 people in total who are living in Liechtenstein.

7. Marshall Islands

Area: 70 square miles

The Marshall Islands is situated in Micronesia and consists of 31 atolls that include the world’s largest and 1152 islands. The Marshall Islands has a population of 58,000 that gained independence from the United States in 1986.

The Marshall Islands was first discovered in the 16th century by Spaniards who came to rule the islands. The islands were part of the U.S territory since 1946.

8. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Area: 104 square miles

Saint Kitts and Nevis are two volcanic islands located in the West Indies. This Caribbean country has a total area of 104 square miles and a population of 39,000.

Saint Kitts and Nevis island were part of the British Commonwealth and Queen Elizabeth II was the Head of State until they gained independence from British in 1983. Saint Kitts is the bigger island of the two.

9. Maldives

Area: 115 square miles

The Maldives is the world’s ninth smallest country with a population of 340,000. Maldives gained independence in 1965 from the U.K.

10. Malta

Area: 122 square miles

Malta island is located in the south of the Italian island of Sicily. Malta has an area of 122 square miles and its population is 400,000. It became independent from the United Kingdom in 1964.

11. Grenada

Area: 133 square miles

Grenada country is located near Venezuela, north of Trinidad and Tobago with a total population of 90,000. It became independent from the U.K. in 1974.

12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Area:150 square miles

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have a total of 32 islands where 117,000 people live. Till today Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are not that popular among tourists and still, it is unexplored.

It is one of the smallest countries in the Caribbean where the famous movie Pirates of the Caribbean was filmed. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines gained independence from Britain in 1979. This unique island is famous for its black and white sandy beaches.

13. Barbados

Area: 166 square miles

Barbados is popular as a Caribbean island to the majority of the people but very few are aware of the fact that it is one of the smallest countries in the world spread across an area of 166 square miles. The size of Barbados is around 1/3rd of the total area of London where approximately 280,000 people live.

This Caribbean island got its independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. Even though the country is very tiny still the standard of living is well-developed. Barbados is one of the popular tourist destinations known for its dreamy paradise beaches with white sand.

14. Antigua and Barbuda

Area: 171 square miles

Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the United Nations since 1981. This Caribbean nation has a total population of 69,000 whose natives are Carib and Arawak Indians. Tourism is the major source of revenue for this country that is surrounded by three islands.

After Christopher Columbus first visited this place, French and Spanish explorers came to settle in Antigua and Barbuda. The Britishers came after 200 years and colonized this island. Antigua and Barbuda got their independence from the United Kingdom in 1981 that was inhabited for at least 4400 years.

15. Seychelles

Area: 176 square miles

Seychelles is the smallest country in the Africa continent which is made up of 118 islands.

Seychelles has an area of 176 square miles and a population of over 90,000 residents. Seychelles became independent of the United Kingdom in the year 1976.

With this, we are done with our list of the 15 smallest countries in the world. Stay tuned to this site for more such articles!