Smallest countries in the world.

5 smallest countries in the world

1) Vatican City

Size: 0.17 sq. mi. (0.44 km²)

Population: 783 (2005 census)
Location: Rome, Italy

The world's smallest state, the Vatican has a population of 770, none of whom are permanent residents. The tiny country which surrounds St. Peter's Basilica is the spiritual center for the world's Roman Catholics (over 1 billion strong). Also known as the Holy See, Vatican City is surrounded by Rome, Italy.

2) Monaco

Size: 0.8 sq. mi. (1.96 km²)

Population: 35,657 (2006 estimate)

Location: French Riviera on the Mediterranean

The tiny state of Monaco lies along the French Riviera on the French Mediterranean coast near Nice. An impressive 32,000 people live in this state known for its Monte Carlo casinos and Princess Grace. It has been independent off-and-on since the 13th century.

3) Nauru

Size: 8 sq. mi (21 km²)

Population: 13,005 (2005 estimate)
Location: Western Pacific Ocean

Nauru is the world’s smallest island nation, the smallest independent republic, and the only republic in the world without an official capital. Nauru only has one significant source of income: phosphates from thousands of years’ worth of guano or bird droppings. This proved to be both a boon and a bane for Nauruans – for a long time, its residents enjoyed a relatively high level of income as the country exported its phosphate like there’s no tomorrow.

4) Tuvalu

Size: 9 sq. mi. (26 km²)

Population: 10,441 (2005 estimate)
Location: South Pacific

Tuvalu is basically a chain of low-lying coral islands, with its highest elevation being 16 feet or 5 meters above sea level. With total land area of just 9 square miles, Tuvalu is not only a teeny tiny island in the Pacific Ocean, it may not even exist in the next 50 years if sea level continue to rise (a controversial claim, nonetheless there were evacuation plans to New Zealand and other Pacific Islands). Even if the sea level does not rise, other problems such as population growth and coastal erosion still make Tuvalu a very vulnerable country.

5) San Marino

Size: 24 sq. mi. (61 km²)

Population: 28,117 (2005 estimate)
Location: North-central Italy near the Adriatic coast

24 square miles - Located on Mt. Titano in north central Italy, San Marino has 29,000 residents. The country claims to be the oldest state in Europe, having been founded in the fourth century. With the formal name of The Most Serene Republic of San Marino, it’s not surprising that San Marino has got lots of charms. Founded in AD 301 by a Christian stonecutter named Marino or Marinus, who along with a small group of Christians was seeking escape from religious persecution, San Marino is the world’s oldest republic.

Edited by : Sereena a/p Sangkar Bahadur