Top 10 Smallest Countries In The World 2023

Wanting to know the smallest countries in the world? We always hear about the greatest countries in the world, as they are great powers and have incredible cultures to know. But did you know that the smallest country in the world is also very well known? This and other countries have a lot to offer, despite being so small in territory.

In today’s article, you will find out which is the smallest country in the world and others that are also on the list of smallest to visit. Continue reading!

10 Smallest Countries In The World

1. Vatican

The smallest country in the world is the Vatican. Located in Rome, Italy, the country has a territory of only 0.44 km² and approximately one thousand inhabitants. The country is known worldwide, as it is the seat of the Catholic Church, where Pope Francis, its head of state, lives.

For being a great religious reference, the main attraction of the smallest country in the world is the Sistine Chapel, which is also known worldwide for Michelangelo’s paintings on the ceiling and altar. 

In the Vatican Museums, some of the most famous museums in the world, you can find works of art and Roman, Greek and Egyptian antiquities collected by the popes over the centuries. In addition to other churches, you can visit the Vatican Necropolis, a set of historic underground tombs and the Vatican Grottoes, just above the necropolis, where the Apostle Peter and the Church’s popes are buried.

2. Monaco

The second smallest country in the world is Monaco. Located in the south of France, close to the border with Italy, Monaco has an area of ​​only 2.02 km² and about 39 thousand inhabitants. The country is smaller than any municipality in Brazil and has lived under the monarchy of the Grimaldi family since its founding in 1297.

Monaco is known for having many billionaires, casin0s and being the stage for the Formula 1 Grand Prix. In addition to these curiosities, those who visit the second smallest country in the world can walk through the streets where several historic races took place, where famous drivers, such as Ayrton Senna, passed. If you enjoy more cultural tours, the Monte Carlo Opera is a good option.

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3. Nauru

The third smallest country in the world is Nauru. The size of Taboão da Serra, a city in the metropolitan region of São Paulo, with an area equivalent to 21 km² and just over 10,000 inhabitants, Nauru is located in the Pacific Ocean, close to Australia.

Considered a paradise for divers, the island has a coral plateau and shallow reefs around it, so care must be taken when swimming. The island is also surrounded by palm trees and forests and in the center is Laguna Buada, a lagoon surrounded by forests.

Nauru is such a small island that it can be covered in half an hour by car, in up to three hours by bicycle and in six hours on foot. You will also see several Japanese guns, bunkers and pillboxes left over from World War II.

4. Tuvalu

The fourth smallest country in the world is Tuvalu, which is also on the Pacific Ocean. Formed by an archipelago with nine atolls. With a little more than 11 thousand inhabitants and an area of ​​30 km², the country is the size of the city of Diadema (SP). Tuvalu is ruled by Queen Elizabeth II, even after it gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. 

Anyone who wants to visit the group of islands needs to take a flight from Fiji. There is only one airport in the capital, Funafuti International Airport. The islands are perfect for diving and snorkeling, boat trips and other archaeological attractions. It is truly a secluded paradise.

5. San Marino

The fifth smallest country in the world is San Marino – and also one of the richest in the world. The country has more than 33 thousand inhabitants and 61 km² of territory. A little bigger than Águas de Lindóia, in the interior of the state of São Paulo. San Marino is also the oldest state in the world, it is estimated that it was created in 301 by Marinus de Rab.

Only 9 cities make up the country, which can be known in just 1 day. Among the main tourist attractions are Mount Titano, which is the highest point in the capital, where the fortified citadels are located, and is considered a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The site can only be accessed by cable car. 

The Three Towers are also an obligatory stop. The first tower, the tallest and oldest, is the Castello Della Guaita, built in the 11th century to be used as a prison. The second tower is De Lafratta, it is a castle where the Weapons Museum is located, built in honor of Marinus, founder of the city. The last one is Torre Del Montale, which is closed to visitors but can be seen from the outside.

Also take the opportunity to visit the Basilica di San Marino, located in Piazzale Domus Plebis, next to the Church of San Pedro. A temple in neoclassical style. Built in 1586, in honor of the founder of the city, it has a statue of San Marino di Adamo Tadolini. In addition, it has religious relics found in the region in 1586. 

6. Liechtenstein

The sixth smallest country in the world is Liechtenstein, a 160 km² area in the Alps between Austria and Switzerland. With approximately 39,000 inhabitants, the country is the perfect itinerary for those who love snow.

The country has several museums, but the most important is the Stamp Museum, founded in 1936. Liechtenstein was one of the first countries in the world to stick stamps on mailing envelopes. 

Another attraction that cannot be left out of the itinerary is the Castle of Vaduz, which was built to be a medieval fortress. It is not possible to access its interiors, but its external architecture is also impressive. In the highest region of the capital, the Castle of Vaduz is nestled on top of a rock in the midst of vegetation.

Gutenberg Castle can be visited during government and cultural events, especially in summer. Built in the 13th century, the castle was privately owned until 1979, when it was purchased by the Liechtenstein government. 

In addition to these sights, you can visit wineries and take the opportunity to visit Austria, which is very close.

7. Marshall Islands

The seventh smallest country in the world is another archipelago: the Marshall Islands. Formed by 29 atolls and five islands, this country has 181.4 km² and approximately 60 thousand inhabitants. The United States is responsible for the security and defense of the place, which also has the dollar as its official currency and English as one of the main languages, the other being Marshallese. 

A curious historical fact about the Marshal Islands is that the region was used for American nuclear tests years ago. The center of the country’s culture is on the most populous island, Ebeye Island. 

The Maloelap Atoll is a district of the country with 75 islands, it is only 9.8 km² of land area and 900 inhabitants in the place. Already the Arno Atoll, has 5 square miles and is an atoll with 133 islands. This atoll has three lakes of different sizes, colors and shapes and paradisiacal beaches. But if you like museums, visit the Alele Museum, which shows all the information and culture of the archipelago.

8. Saint Kitts and Nevis

In eighth place on the list of the smallest countries in the world is Saint Kitts and Nevis. The country is the smallest in the Americas and is located in the Caribbean. With just over 53,000 inhabitants and 269 km² of territory, the country is also commanded by Queen Elizabeth II.

Formed by two islands, the country that was discovered by Europeans in 1493, is close to Puerto Rico. The site, which was inhabited by the Caraíba indigenous tribe, was colonized by the British in the 17th century and only on September 19, 1983 did it gain its independence.

The capital, Charlestown, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with colonial buildings, museums and galleries. Oualie beach is surrounded by palm trees, the perfect place to relax and enjoy the Caribbean sun. On the former Wingfield sugar plantation, you can find ruins from the colonial period and slavery

In the national park of St. Kitts, you will find the beauty of the Caribbean nature and find different species of plants and animals.

9. Maldives Islands

The Maldives Islands are the ninth smallest country in the world. The archipelago is located in the Indian Sea, close to India. And it is one of the most desired destinations in the entire world. In addition, it is also known for Islamic radicalism. A curiosity is that because they are very flat, part of the islands of the archipelago are underwater when the sea level rises

The archipelago is formed by more than a thousand islands, in an area of ​​298 km². It is the smallest country in Asia and the least populous Muslim country, with more than 540,000 inhabitants. The group of islands was once a Portuguese, Dutch and British colony, until it became independent in 1965. As far as tourism is concerned, it goes without saying, tourists from all over the world dream of visiting this paradise.

10. Malta

The tenth smallest country in the world is the island of Malta, which lies between Africa and Europe, 90 km south of Italy and 280 km north of Tunisia. With 316 km², a little bigger than Fortaleza (CE), the island has more than 525 thousand inhabitants.

The country gained its independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 and became a republic in 1974. In addition to being a very popular country for exchange students, as it is one of the most economical for this public, its beaches, the Island of Comino, the Blue Lagoon and its capital, Valleta, are among the main tourist attractions in the country.

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The historic center of the capital Valletta, the beaches, Comino and the Blue Lagoon are the most popular spots for tourists visiting the island.

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