Tourism
The 10 Smallest Countries In The World
Which is The Smallest Country in the World?
The smallest country in the world and a list of the 10 smallest countries by total land area. Some of the coziest nations, islands, and places on the planet.
The smallest country in the world
Covering not even one kilometer squared, Vatican City is the world’s smallest country by land area.
With over 194 countries in the world, it’s easy to think the word “country” equates to a massive land area with large numbers of people. Some nations are so small that cities within other nations are giants compared to them. Mostly found in Europe, the Carribean, and the Pacific, there are many countries in the world with an area of less than 400 square kilometers. The top 10 smallest countries in the world cover a total area of 1491.4 km² which is smaller than the area of the city of Houston, Texas (1625.2 km²)
With their own governments and own culture, these small countries are some of the richest, most remote, and most intriuing places in the world. Let’s take a look at the 10 smallest countries in the world today:
10. Malta – 316 km²
Malta is another island country, and is located in the Mediterranean Sea. The Republic of Malta is actually made up of three islands: Gozo, Comino, and Malta, which is the largest of the three. This small country has a population of over 450,000 inhabitants, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. Another popular tourist destination, foreigners from all over the world come to Malta for its sunny weather, attractive beaches, rich history, and vibrant nightlife. Malta is made up of 116 squared kilometers, which puts it at number ten of the world’s smallest countries.
9. Maldives – 300 km²
A popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is the smallest country in Asia in terms of area and population. There are over 1,192 coral islands in the Maldives, which are spread over 90,000 sq.km, making it one of the world’s most dispersed countries. The country was once the colony of many empires, the Portuguese, the Dutch, and the British, but became an independent country in 1965. Today, the Maldives has a vibrant tourism economy due to its famous white sand beaches and crystal blue waters. The Maldives is the world’s ninth smallest country with a land area that measures a total of 300 kilometers squared.
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis – 261 km²
The Mother Colony of the West Indies, these 2 islands in the Caribbean were some of the first islands to be occupied by Europeans. They occupy a total of 261 kilometers squared, which makes Saint Kitts and Nevis the world’s eighth smallest country. Its economy is dependent on tourism, agriculture, and small manufacturing industries. The islands also provide fantastic diving sites due to abundant marine life. A major sugar exporter for centuries, the large plantations are now beautiful estates that have been converted into hotels and resorts.
7. Marshall Islands – 181 km²
The Marshall Islands, which is officially called the Republic of the MarshalI Islands, is an island country that can be found in the Pacific Ocean, approximately halfway between the US State of Hawaii and the continent of Australia. It is considered to be part of Micronesia. The area surrounded the islands are incredibly biodiverse and include over 800 species of fish as well as 160 of coral. The area around the Marshall Islands also hosts a number of shipwrecks. With 181 square kilometers, the Marshall Islands are the world’s seventh smallest country.
6. Liechtenstein – 160 km²
A German-speaking country, this is the only nation in the world to be completely located in the Alps. Located between Switzerland and Austria, Liechtenstein is the richest country in the world by GDP per capita, with the lowest unemployment rate (1.5%). Getting into the country is a little tricky, as there is no airport within its borders. Visitors must go through Switzerland’s Zurich Airport to reach this Alpine country that’s still ruled by a prince! With 160 square kilometers, Liechtenstein is the world’s sixth smallest country.
The smallest country in the world
5. San Marino – 61 km²
Surrounded completely by Italy, San Marino is also known as the Most Serene Republic of San Marino. With a total of 61 square kilometers, it is the fifth smallest country in the world. it claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state in the world, and is also one of the wealthiest in terms of GDP per capita. The 3rd smallest country in Europe, it has a population of only 30,000, boasting of one of the lowest unemployment rates in the world.
4. Tuvalu – 26 km²
Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean northeast of Australia. With a total of 26 square kilometers, Tuvalu is the fourth-smallest country in the world. There are about 10,000 inhabitants, with 8 km of roads, and only one hospital present on the main island. The country was once a British territory but became independent in 1978. Due to the country’s location further afield, tourism is not very significant. In 2010, less than 2,000 visitors came to Tuvalu, with 65% of them coming for business.
The smallest country in the world
3. Nauru – 21 km²
An island nation located east of Australia, Nauru is the smallest island country in the world. It was known in the 1980s for its booming phosphate mining but is now a quiet island off the radar of tourists. Formerly known as Pleasant Island, its phosphate resources are now depleted, leading to a 90% national unemployment rate, with the remaining 10% employed by the government. Nauru is also known as the country with the most obese people in the world, with 97% of its men and 93% of women being obese or overweight. Because of this, Nauru is also home to the world’s highest level of type 2 diabetes, with 40% of its population suffering from the ailment. Nauru has a total of 21 square kilometers, which makes it the world’s third smallest country.
2. Monaco – 2 km²
Located on the French Riviera, Monaco is home to the largest number of millionaires and billionaires in the world per capita. It is also the world’s second-smallest country, with only 2 square kilometers in total land area. Known for its gambling and luxury goods and services industry, Monaco is a favorite playground of the rich and famous. Bordered by France on three sides and on one side by the Mediterranean Sea, the residents of Monaco are mostly French-speaking. With a population of over 36,000, Monaco is the world’s most densely populated country. The most popular annual event is the Formula 1 race, with tracks passing through the city streets.
The Smallest Country in the World
1. Vatican City – 0.44 km²
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The world’s smallest country is the Vatican, also known as the Holy See. With only 0.44 squared kilometers, Vatican City is the world’s smallest country by land area. This country fits entirely within the Italian capital city of Rome, and is the center of the Catholic Church. It is also home to the biggest church in the world – St. Peter’s Basilica, which holds some of the most significant art works of the Renaissance such as The Pieta and the Creation of Adam. Its income comes from the voluntary contributions of over 1 billion members of the Roman Catholic Church around the world. The remainder of its economy comes from the sales of postage stamps, tourist mementos, and admission fees of museums.
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Tourism
The 10 Smallest Countries
Vatican City, Monaco, San Marino, and Liechtenstein top the list of 10 smallest countries by land area
The continent of Europe has 50 countries with several countries having territories partly in Europe and Asia, while some are yet to be fully recognized. The continent is at times named Eurasia because the border between Europe and Asia is not well defined and some countries lie between the two continents. Europe has an area of about 3,930,000 miles square. The population of the continent was estimated at 738 million in 2016. The smallest countries in the continent include some countries that are only partially recognized as an independent nation.
10. Cyprus – 9,251
9. Azerbaijan – 6,960
The Republic of Azerbaijan is in the South Caucasus region. The country sits between Southwest Asia and Southeastern Europe. The side in Europe measures 2,687.27 square miles while the whole country has an area of around 33,400 square miles. Azerbaijan got independence in 1918. The country joined the Soviet Union in 1920 and left on August 30, 1991. The country is among the six independent Turkic speaking states. The population of the country was estimated to be 9.762 million in 2016
For Azerbaijan’s entry on this list, we are only counting its land on the European side.
8. Luxembourg – 2,586 sq km
Luxembourg is a landlocked country found in western Europe, bordered by Belgium, Germany, and France. It measure 2,586 km squared, which puts it amongst Europe’s smallest countries. Luxembourg City is both the capital of Luxembourg, and one of the three capitals of the European Union (the other two are Brussels, Belgium and Strasbourg, France).
7. Georgia – 2,428 sq km
Georgia is located in the Caucasus region of Europe and Asia. It is located in between Eastern Europe and Western Asia with the bigger part of the country being in Asia. The country’s capital is Tbilisi, which is also the biggest in the country. Georgia side in Europe has a land surface area of 937.46 square miles. The total land surface area of Georgia, including the side in Asia, is 26,911.32 square miles. The population in 2017 was estimated at 3.718 million. Georgia separated from the Soviet Union in April 1991. Georgian is the national language of the country.
Although the total land area of Georgia is larger than some of the entries on this list, we are only counting the part of Georgia that is on the European side, which is 2,428 km squared.
6. Andorra – 468 sq km
The principality of Andorra is a landlocked country situated in the Eastern Pyrenees Mountains in Southwestern Europe. The principality was established in 1278 and is led by the president of France and the bishop of Urgell, Spain. Andorra has a surface area of 181 square miles. In 2016, the population estimate was 77,281. Andorra la Vella is the capital city, and it is the highest located capital city in Europe at the height of 3,356 feet. The national language is Catalan.
5. Malta – 316 sq km
The Republic of Malta consists of a group of islands located in the Mediterranean Sea, found in Southern Europe. The large islands include Malta, Gozo, and Comino. The island covers an area of 122 square miles. The population in 2016 was estimated at 436,947. The national language of the country is Maltese though English is used for official communication. Valletta is the capital city, and it is the smallest capital city in size in the European Union. Malta gained independence in 1964 and became a republic in 1974.
4. Liechtenstein – 160 sq km
Liechtenstein is a principality led by a prince. The principality is located in Central Europe and is double-landlocked. The country is located in the Rhine valley of the Alps ranges. Liechtenstein has a surface area of about 62 square miles. The principality’s population was estimated at 37,666 in 2016. German is used as the official language of communication. Liechtenstein is one of the Alpine countries which make it an ideal destination for winter sports. The capital city is Vaduz.
3. San Marino – 61 sq km
The Republic of San Marino is a microstate and an enclave in Italy. The country’s surface area is about 24 square miles and is mostly hilly. San Marino was the smallest republic in the world until 1968 when Nauru gained the title. The population was estimated to be 33,285 in 2016. The biggest city in the country is Serravalle, and the capital is the city of San Marino. The country is one of the richest countries in the world. San Marino is the only country where the number of motor vehicles surpasses the number of people. In 2014, there were 1,263 vehicles to 1,000 people. Italian is the official language in the country, but Romagnol is also a popular language.
2. Monaco – 1.95 sq km
Monaco is an autonomous city-state situated on the French Riviera officially known as the Principality of Monaco. The country covers an area of 0.78 square miles and it is the second smallest country in the world. A census carried out in 2016 showed the population to be 38,499. The 1861 Franco-Monegasque treaty saw Monaco become an independent state. The official language in the principality of Monaco is French with Monegasque, Italian, and Occitan widely spoken. The country’s government is a constitutional monarchy, and the current ruler is Prince Albert II. The principality of Monaco has been under the constitutional Monarchy since 1911, and the head of state is the sovereign prince. Monaco does not levy any income tax and has relatively low taxes on businesses making it a country with some of the wealthiest people. Monaco is famous for the Monaco Grand Prix.
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1. Vatican City – 0.44 sq km
The state of Vatican City is the smallest country in Europe and as well as in the world both by size and population with an area of around 0.17 square miles. The country is not formally self-governing, and it is governed by the Holy See. The population was estimated at 1,000 in 2015. The city was established through the Lateran treaty signed on February 11, 1929, between the Holy See and Italy. Italian is the official language of the Vatican. Vatican City is located at the Vatican Mount, and so the name was derived from the mountain. The government of Vatican City is an absolute elective monarchy with the power being exercised by the head of the Roman Catholic Church, the Pope.
VISA
Germany Visa application for Ghanaians
The German Embassy in Accra is responsible for processing visa applications of residents of
GHANA, LIBERIA and SIERRA LEONE.
The German Embassy in Accra processes Schengen visa applications on behalf of ESTONIA
for residents of GHANA.
Germany Visa application for Ghanaians
All applicants have to apply in person at the German Embassy in Ghana. Appointments can only be
booked through the Embassy’s Online Appointment System.
The processing of Schengen visa applications in general takes 7 days. Applicants are
encouraged to submit their applications well in advance of their intended travel date to allow
sufficient time for processing. Applications can be submitted up to 3 months before the
intended travel date.
The visa fee is 60.00Euro, only payable in cash in Ghana Cedi at the current exchange
rate of the Embassy. The processing fee is not refundable in case of denial of the visa.
Visa application forms are free of charge and are available on the website of the Embassy
Documents handed in prior to the appointment date cannot be accepted.
in addition to the standard requirements, additional supporting documents may be required,
depending on the specific nature of your application. The Embassy does not return forms,
photos or any documents in case of refusal or if the application is withdrawn. Fraudulent
documents may be sent to the relevant authorities.
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In case of visa refusal, the applicant or an authorized third party may appeal in writing
against the refusal stating the file number and mailing address (P.O. Box) of the applicant.
Further supporting documents and background information should be provided with the
appeal letter. Please note that processing of appeals in general takes at least 4 weeks.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR Germany Visa application for Ghanaians
Every applicant is asked to provide the following mandatory documents ie original plus 1 legible
copy of each document, unless otherwise specified at the appointment day, after having
booked an appointment via the Embassy’s website: www.accra.diplo.de/appointment
completed and signed visa application form for Schengen visa
signed declaration according to Sec. 54 Par. 2 No. 8 of the German Residence Act
1 recent passport picture with white background (please do not attach to form!)
visa fee of 60.00 Euro, only payable in cash in Ghana Cedi
valid passport and 1 copy of the passport data page
Validity of passport must exceed the duration of intended stay in Germany by at least 3
months. Passport must contain at least 2 blank pages and must have been issued within
the past 10 years.
previous passports, if available
original birth certificate of the applicant, based on the first registration
if minors (below 18 years of age) are not accompanied by both parents: parental consent of
both parents and copies of their passport/photo ID. In case of sole parental custody,
adequate proof has to be provided (e.g. court order, death certificate of other parent).
flight reservation for round-trip (no ticket required)
travel health insurance, covering entire duration of stay and valid for all Schengen States
proof of accommodation / hotel reservation
proof of sufficient financial means for intended stay