The Worlds Smalest Contries

joukov

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The World's Smallest Countries
This is a comprehensive listing of the world's seventeen smallest independent countries. They each contain less than 200 square miles. If we combined the land area of these 17 countries, we would have a country just a bit larger than Rhode Island. Even tiny Singapore is too big for this list (it's 246 square miles). First, we have some basic geographic information about each microstate, then you'll find a list of the 17, ranked from smallest to largest.

Andorra - 180 square miles: The independent Principality of Andorra is co-governed by the President of France and the Spain's Bishop of Urgel. With just over 64,000 people, this mountainous tourist destination tucked in the Pyrenees between France and Spain has been independent since 1278.

Antigua and Barbuda - 171 square miles: This Caribbean nation of 83,000 has been independent from the United Kingdom since 1981. The three islands which compose this country rely on tourism (as do many of the Caribbean countries and territories).

Barbados - 166 square miles: About 260,000 people live on this Caribbean island, the farthest east of the Lesser Antilles. Barbados obtained independence from the U.K. in 1966.

Grenada - 133 square miles: Another Caribbean country, Grenada (population 98,000), became independent of the U.K. in 1974. It's located quite close to South America.

Liechtenstein - 62 square miles: This microstate of 29,000 is located on the Rhine River between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps.

Maldives - 115 square miles: 200 of the 2000 Indian Ocean islands which make up this country are occupied by 181,000 residents. The islands gained independence from the U.K. in 1965.

Malta - 122 square miles: This island is just south of the Italian island of Sicily. It became independent from the United Kingdom in 1964 and the British military were completely gone by 1979. Population: 362,000.

Marshall Islands - 70 square miles: The atolls (including the world's largest, Kwajalein), reefs, and 34 islands (population 52,000) gained independence in 1986; they were formerly part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (and administered by the United States).

Monaco - 0.7 square miles: The tiny state of Monaco lies along the French Riviera on the French Mediterranean coast near Nice. An impressive 30,000 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.

Nauru - 8.5 square miles: The 10,000 residents of the Pacific island Nauru rely on diminishing phosphate deposits (which should run out around the year 2000). The state became independent in 1968 and was formerly known as Pleasant Island.

Palau - 191 square miles: Palau (also known as Belau) was also a Trust Territory of Pacific Islands. It was formerly known as the Carolines and is composed of more than 200 islands in the Pacific; the population is about 16,000. It became independent in 1994 and is the newest member of the United Nations. The United States maintains responsibility for defense and foreign policy.

St. Kitts and Nevis - 104 square miles: This Caribbean country of 41,000 gained independence in 1983. Nevis is the smaller island of the two and is guaranteed the right to secede.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines - 150 square miles: 109,000 people live on these Windward Caribbean islands which gained independence from Britain in 1979.

San Marino - 24 square miles: Located on Mt. Titano in north central Italy, San Marino has 25,000 residents. are proud to be the oldest state in Europe. The country claims to be the oldest state in Europe, having been founded in the fourth century. (With two nations located within its borders, Italy is the perfect example of a perforated state)

Seychelles - 107 square miles: The 69,000 residents of this Indian Ocean island group have been independent of the United Kingdom since 1976.

Tuvalu - 9 square miles: Tuvalu is composed of 9 coral atolls along a 360 mile chain in Polynesia. They gained independence in 1978. The former Ellice Islands are home to 9,700.

Vatican City - 0.2 square miles: The world's smallest state, the Vatican has a population of 770. The 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, it is surrounded by Rome, Italy.



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The 17 Smallest Countries in the World:


Vatican City - 0.2 square miles
Monaco - 0.7 square miles
Nauru - 8.5 square miles
Tuvalu - 9 square miles
San Marino - 24 square miles
Liechtenstein - 62 square miles
Marshall Islands - 70 square miles
St. Kitts and Nevis - 104 square miles
Seychelles - 107 square miles
Maldives - 115 square miles
Malta - 122 square miles
Grenada - 133 square miles
St. Vincent and the Grenadines - 150 square miles
Barbados - 166 square miles
Antigua and Barbuda - 171 square miles
Andorra - 180 square miles
Palau - 191 square miles
 
I think XIII must get some kind of natural high moving threads :lol:

I have been to the Vatican myself. Just remarkable buildings. And the street vendors make a fortune selling shawls to people that don't meet the dress code to enter the cathedrals. :)
 
unless...... i invade my neightbors and produce weapons of mass destruction like fireworks :D
 
I notice how most of the pacific islands mentioned were only used for a-bomb testing and phosphate (bird fecal matter) mining:crazyeye: Now they're nice islands to be stranded on:p.
 
I was in the Vatican once!

Seriously, we were walking down some small alley and into a gate and BOOM it was like we were in an airport or something. We had to fish around for our passports, even. And stood about half an hour in security making sure we weren't going to blow up the Popemobile.

They really do make a good show of pretending it's an independent country...
 
How many of those countries have a UN representative? I don't think the Vatican does, does it?
 
Originally posted by Esckey
How many of those countries have a UN representative? I don't think the Vatican does, does it?

unfortunately yes.

Perhaps mecca and varanassi should have un votes as well
 
The Vatican has only an observer....it's not a UN member. It was like Switzerland was before they finally took the plunge and joined either this year or last.

So the Vatican's envoy would only watch the proceedings, not really have any vote.
 
I officially declare the town of Providence, under the current administration of the United States of America, independent and free of all jurisdiction, authority, and legislation of the United States of America.
 
God, sometimes us people in Marin Country and the Bay Area act like we're independent. The again, so does California. Anyways, I have been to four of those countries in my European travels: Monaco, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Vatican City. It's really weird to think that it is a country when you are there, because it is almost exactly like being the the country next to it, be it, Italy, France, Switzerland, or Austria.
 
Originally posted by Bootstoots
You can declare it your own nation, but don't expect international recognition :D

I declared my own nation in a game :mischief:. I know in Family Guy. Peter declared his own nation.
 
Originally posted by stalin006
i was watching family guy, and i wonder if we can make our house an actual nation


That is my all time favorite episode. In fact, if you look for my first OT thread, I think it is on me starting my own nation. :D
 
The Military Order of the Knights of Malta: 1 building.
Ancient military order that were once pilgrims to the Holy Land dedicated themselves to defending other pilgrims from the Turks. They were finally forced out and onto the greek island of Rhodes where theu remained for centuries. Several thousand of them held of 300,000 turks for a period of months. After they were finally forced off Rhodes they made Malta their home until the British kicked them off that island too. Their new home is in a building in Rome. They are now a charitable organization, only about 80 knights are left. They issue their own postage and passports. Citizenship is by birth. Size of the country, the area of 2 tennis courts.
 
The smallest nation in the world is:

"Sovereign Military Order of Malta"

http://www.worldstatesmen.org/Malta_knights.htm

1 address in Rome, appx. 80 people.

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EDIT: I see Wyrmshadow beat me to the punch, oh well.
 
Originally posted by ainwood
What about Sealand?

Interestingly (or not), I've been to three of those. :hmm:

I was thinking of the Principality of Sealand too! What do you mean with '3 of those'? And did you really go there?

Anyway, the Sealand I know is in the Northsea, on an abandoned WWII guntower. Afaik, it is recognized by several states.
 
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