Smallest Countries In The World

 

What micronations can be found within the borders of Italy?

 What tiny island countries checker the Pacific Ocean?

 Find out as we look at the Smallest Countries In The World.

 #12 Grenada

 Referred to as the Island of Spice, the caribbean nation of Grenada is a small island country formed from an underwater Volcano 2 million years ago, composed of 7 islands in total.

 Despite its relatively small size of merely 133 square miles, Grenada has cemented its place in the world economy providing 20% of the world’s nutmeg and mace supply.

 The tropical land also produces cinnamon, ginger, allspice, and cloves, earning its nickname.

 These industries help employ more than 107 thousand Grenadan residents.

 #11 Malta

 Off the southern tip of Italy, settled on an archipelago in the Mediterranean Sea, is the Republic of Malta.

 Historically sought after for its excellent positioning as a potential naval base, this land was often contested by cultures ranging from the Phoenicians and Byzantines to the French and Spanish, and nearly every European people in between.

 The British even settled it as a colony in 1815, but Malta earned its independence in 1964, officially becoming a republic a decade later.

 The influence of these foreign cultures has left a lasting impression on the country’s society, yet Maltese and English remain the nation’s official languages.

 Today Malta is a loyal member of international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union, becoming a part in the eurozone monetary union as recently as 2008.

 And with a population of more than 475 thousand, the people of Malta can greatly benefit from this international inclusion.

 Especially with just 122 square miles to roam in their homeland!

 #10 Maldives

 Dozens of island sovereignties around the world are composed of a string of islands rather than a single landmass, but few come close to the nearly 1,200 coral islands that make up the Maldives.

 Once a sultanate under the protection and jurisdiction of the British and Dutch, the modern Maldives is now a republic, though sketchy politics have kept dictator-esque rulers in power for the majority of the nation’s independence.

 If that wasn’t hard enough on the Maldivian people, a tsunami rocked the nation in 2004 causing intense damage to the islands off the Southwestern coast of India.

 The disaster affected a third of the countries 300 thousand residents, with 15 thousand left homeless and more than 470 million dollars accumulated in damages.

 But thanks to foreign aid and a bustling tourism economy, the nation has been able to bounce back.

 More than a thousand islands may be found within Maldives, but less than 200 are inhabited by locals, making this 116 square mile sovereignty an adventure waiting to be trekked by tourists that can afford it.

 #9 Saint Kitts and Nevis Considered the smallest sovereign state in the western hemisphere, the tropical country of Saint Kitts and Nevis can be found among the Caribbean islands known as the West Indies.

 As the site of the first British and French colonies in the Caribbean, this nation has also been referred to as “The Mother Colony of the West Indies.” Agriculture once fueled this twin-island economy single handedly, taking advantage of the tropical climate.

 With just 101 square miles of property and a population near 55 thousand, though, the people of Saint Kitts and Nevis must be efficient with their land use.

 With sugar cane fields on the out due to heightened production costs and the closure of the nation’s state-owned sugar company, St. Kitts and Nevis have recently turned much of the country into a more tourist-friendly attraction.

 Between 2007 and 2009, efforts focused on tourism were able to generate forty percent increase in foreign arrivals by an additional 200 thousand!

 Some of this interest was drummed up in part by the annual St. Kitts Music Festival, which hosts names as big as Smokey Robinson along with the top stars in Caribbean music today.

 #8 Marshall Islands

 Two chains of coral atolls spread out to form the Marshall Islands, a Pacific nation and former U.S. Trust Territory.

 Called Ratak and Ralik respectively, the twin island chains contain over a thousand individual landmasses in total, equaling an area of just over 70 square miles.

 Around 53 thousand people call these islands home, but they’re not alone as the Marshall Islands are crawling with biodiversity.

 More than 800 different species of fish can be found swimming through the crystal blue waters of the region.

 Many of these fish reside among the 160 types of coral found in the Marshall Islands.

 A variety of insects, arachnids and crustaceans can be found scuttling along the countries shores, with around 70 species of birds roaming the isles overhead, scouting for prey among this prolific environment.

 #7 Liechtenstein

 Nestled in the Alpine country between Switzerland and Austria is the German-speaking Principality of Liechtenstein.

 Limited on natural resources, this land-locked country makes the most of its governing structure with tax laws that attract a variety of international businesses.

 Liechtenstein enjoys a highly prosperous, free-enterprise economy with more companies registered within the countries borders than there are residents!

 The 62 square mile sovereignty utilizes the Swiss franc for currency, allowing them to more easily work with their neighbors in Switzerland, a necessity considering they must import crucial resources...like 85 percent of the country’s energy!

 But they aren’t completely dependant as manufacturers produce a variety of tools and electronics for export, along with the mild, mountainous region allowing for the cultivation of produce like corn, barley and potatoes by farmers.

 #6 San Marino

 In the Northeastern portion of Italy, near the Adriatic Sea, is the microstate affectionately known by locals as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino.

 The small nation is immensely successful with a GDP per capita of more than 60 thousand dollars.

 San Marino benefits from a budget surplus, low unemployment rate, no national debt.

 In fact, the people of San Marino are so financially comfortable that the nation is known for having the world’s highest rate of car ownership with more owned vehicles scattered throughout the country than people!

 The 23.6 square miles of the European micronation has around 33 thousand residents, but millions of tourists happily pass through this wealthy sovereignty annually.

 #5 Tuvalu

 Midway between Hawaii and Australia is the tropical country of Tuvalu.

 Made of a low lying mix between reef islands and atolls, all of which range between 13 and 16 feet above sea level at maximum, this country is stuck relying on rainfall for all freshwater needs.

 An area of just 9.9 square miles of land support the 11 thousand plus people living here, and luckily the region is prone to up to 125 inches of rainfall a year.

 Despite this fact, though, few crops can grow on the porous soil of Tuvalu.

 Some plants, like banana, taro, and breadfruit trees along with coconut palms, are actually able to thrive in the growing conditions while small livestock and fishing provide local proteins.

 For the most part, the islands depend heavily on food from foreign countries.

 In fact, Tuvalu requires massive assistance from foreign aid as its residents have the smallest GDP of any sovereign nation in the world!

 #4 Nauru

 Formerly referred to as Pleasant Island, the Micronesian nation of Nauru is a phosphate-rock isle in the Central Pacific Ocean.

 At only 8.1 square miles, the country isn’t equipped to handle a high population and tops out currently with just 11,200 residents.

 The composition of the islands geology made it a popular location for strip mining upon discovery, but has been mostly exhausted of its natural phosphate reserves and those resources still remaining aren’t economically viable for collection.

 The country attempted to prepare for the island’s resource exhaustion by establishing the Nauru Phosphate Royalties Trust, which was supposed to fund the support of citizens after reserves ran dry.

 Unfortunately, mismanagement led to the quick drainage of this trust and the people of Nauru fell into a slump.

 To battle this, the government transformed Nauru into a tax haven, allowing foreign investors to launder money through the small country.

 In the last decade and a half, though, the Nauruan government has put the country on par with the rest of the world and today the nation enjoys a healthy economic relationship with the nearby nation of Australia, from which they’ve adopted their official currency!

 #3 Monaco

 Bordered on all sides by France and the Mediterranean Sea is the miniature nation of Monaco.

 Though its own independent nation, much of Monaco’s traditions and cultures are closely aligned with France.

 The official language of the country is French and France continues to provide military protection to the monarchy-run nation.

 They also borrow from other neighboring Europeans by way of establishing the Catholic Church as the official religion of Monaco.

 With less than 1 square mile hosting under 40 thousand residents, Monaco is easily one of the smallest independent states on Earth.

 But what separates it from most is the success of its people.

 No income taxes and low business taxes make the country a tax sanctuary, with a nation that produces more than 160 thousand dollars in GDP per capita a year!

 The people of Monaco, especially those within the chief attraction city Monte Carlo, are incredibly well-off.

 On top of its role as a paradise for taxpayers, the country also offers gambling within its borders, making it the Las Vegas of Western Europe.

 #2 Vatican

 While the Vatican is most definitely a must-see tourist stop for any travellers venturing through Italy, the landmark city isn’t exactly Italian.

 A designated region just 110 acres in area marks the territory of the world’s smallest recognized nation of Vatican City.

 Obviously Catholic in culture, Vatican City is heralded as a sacred nation among the 1.3 billion Catholic people around the world.

 Since 1929, the sovereign city has been under the distinct authority, dominion and ownership of the Pope.

 Vatican City is an elective monarchy, with the Pope acting as the head of state and government, granting him oversight as the Catholic Church internationally and the whole of the nation locally.

 This country maintains its own infrastructure and legal jurisdiction, but when it comes to national defence, the Catholic nation turns to two neighbors for help.

 The Italian Armed Forces provide military backup for Vatican City, despite the lack of a formal treaty, and the Swiss Guard act as personal guardians for the Pope thanks to relations dating back over 5 centuries!

 #1 Sealand

 Claimed as a sovereign state in 1975 by occupant Paddy Roy Bates, the micronation of Sealand is the world’s smallest country at around 43 thousand square feet, located on Roughs Tower, an abandoned Maunsell Sea Fort from the 1940s.

 Left to erode in the seas surrounding the United Kingdom, these sea forts are decrepit and a fairly odd place to start a country.

 But after Bates seized the tower for his own pirate radio station ambitions in 1967, it was apparently the next logical option for the man.

 While it is not recognized by any countries as a sovereign nation, Sealand is still in operation today, overseen by regent Michael Roy Bates, Paddy’s son.

 Which of these small countries would you vacation at?

 Let us know which ones and why in the comments below.