In the school curriculum for geography, unfortunately, there is practically no study of interesting geographical facts of our planet, and there are so many of them: colorful beaches or lakes, giant or smallest countries, the highest or lowest points on the earth's surface and much more. Because many children, and then adults, do not want to travel to see something interesting with their own eyes.
In this article, you will learn about the 10 smallest countries around the world in terms of the area they occupy.
- The Order of Malta . This is the smallest country in Europe and the whole world in terms of the area occupied - only 0,012 km², (these are two buildings in Rome). The Order of Malta is not recognized by all countries of the world as an independent full-fledged state, but all members of the order are considered its citizens (12,500 people), it issues passports, has its own currency and stamps.
- The Vatican . The most famous small country in the world, located, like the Order of Malta, in Rome. In the Vatican, an area of less than one square kilometer (0.44 km²), there are only 826 people, and 100 of them serve in the Swiss Guard, which protects its borders. It is the residence of the head of the Catholic Church of the Pope and therefore, despite its small size, enjoys great political influence.
- Monaco . This small country in the south of Europe is the most densely populated among mini-countries: for 1 km² there are more than 20 thousand people. The only neighbor of Monaco is France. The peculiarity of this country is that there are five times more visitors here than the indigenous population.
- Gibraltar . Located on the south side of the Iberian Peninsula, on a formidable rocky cape, connected with a large land by a very narrow isthmus of sand. Although his story was very closely connected with Great Britain, but now it is quite an independent state. The entire area of this state is 6.5 km², with an average density of population for Europe.
- Nauru . Nauru is the smallest island country of Oceania, located on the coral island of the western Pacific, with an area of 21 km² and a population of slightly more than 9 thousand people. This is the only state in the world without an official capital.
- Tuvalu . This Pacific state is located on 9 coral islands (atolls) with a total area of 26 km², the population is 10.5 thousand people. This is a very poor country that can disappear due to rising water levels and erosion of shores.
- Pitcairn . It is located on five islands of the Pacific Ocean, of which only one is inhabited, and is considered to be the country with the smallest population - only 48 people.
- San Marino . The European state, located on the slope of Mount Titan and surrounded on all sides by Italy, with an area of 61 km² and a population of 32 thousand people. It is considered one of the most ancient states of Europe.
- Liechtenstein . The territory of this mini-state with a population of 29 thousand people is 160 km². It is located between Switzerland and Austria, in the Alps. Liechtenstein is a highly developed industrial country engaged in the export of various products and with a high standard of living.
- Marshall Islands . This is an entire archipelago, consisting of coral reefs and islets, a total area of 180 km² with a population of 52 thousand people. Until 1986 it was a British colony, but now an independent state, popular with tourists.
Having acquainted you with the 10 smallest countries in the world, I want to add that the big plus of living in these countries is the government's constant concern for its citizens.