The Top Ten Smallest Countries In The World
Paula Bendfeldt once said:
Travel opens your heart, broadens your mind and fills your life with stories to tell.
But what good is any of it this year? The expanse of the United States, the bustling liveliness of China, the serene neighbourhoods of Europe have all come to naught in a pandemic that has brought life and hope to a standstill. Beaches seem to be a forgotten feature, mountains, country sides and canyons yearn even the staunchest of homebodies amongst us.. It seems Travel now, is a long lost friend! But we of hope, are certain that we will find the lost friend, soon….
And where would we go? The same — pre-lockdown Europe, South-East Asian countries, African safaris or are you willing to explore?
Well we got thinking off-beat and went as far as to know some trivia about something that doesn’t strike 90% of us — which are the world’s smallest countries?? Are they habitable? How do people live there? Or do we know of them but didn’t know that they were entire countries in themselves and not just cities or states — hiding from us in plain sight?
Excited? So were we? So, read on.. Dais brings you the all-you-need-to-know on The Top ten smallest countries in the world:
1) Vatican City
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world, occupying an area of 0.43 square kilometres or 0.17 square miles. It is an enclave in Rome, and is situated on the west bank of the Tibet river.
Vatican City is the world’s smallest fully independent nation state. Its medieval walls form its boundaries except on the southeast at St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Petro). Of the six entrances, only three — the Piazza, the Arco delle Campane (Arch of the Bells) in the facade of St. Peter’s Basilica, and the entrance to the galleries in the north wall — are open to the public.
The most imposing building is St. Peter’s Basilica, the largest church in the world — built during the 4th century and rebuilt during the 16th century. The Holy See is the religious epicentre for the Roman Catholics and the residence of the Pope.
The country has a population of approximately 800 people, who are employed in the Vatican and its missions, and aren’t permanent residents. The country has its own stamp, flag, and anthem and mints its own Euros.
2) Monaco
Monaco, the second smallest country in the world, is synonymous with glitz and glamour.
The Principality of Monaco, French Principauté de Monaco, is a sovereign principality located along the Mediterranean Sea in the midst of the resort area of the Côte d’Azur (French Riviera). The city of Nice lies 9 miles (15 km) to the west, the Italian border 5 miles (8 km) to the east. Monaco’s tiny territory occupies a set of densely clustered hills and a headland that looks southward over the Mediterranean.
Many unique features, however, have made Monaco one of the most luxurious tourist resorts in the world and have given it a fame far exceeding its size. Monaco spans across 2 square kilo meters or 0.78 square miles and has a population of over 36,000 people, 1/3rd of who are millionaires.
3) Nauru
The third smallest country in the world is situated east of Australia and it is a country that will take your breath away! The Nauru island is about 800 miles (1,300 km) northeast of the Solomon Islands; its closest neighbour being the island of Banaba, in Kiribati, some 200 miles (300 km) to the east.
Most of Nauru rises somewhat abruptly from the ocean, and there are no harbours or protected anchorages. A fairly fertile but relatively narrow belt encircles the island and surrounds the shallow inland Buada Lagoon.
Nauru has no official capital, but government offices are located in the district of Yaren. With a population of around 11,000 people, the island nation was formerly called Pleasant Island. Ain’t that right?!
The country economically though seems to be the exact opposite of its French cousin, Monaco — Struggling with long standing issues of diminishing reserves, unemployment and oh, obesity. It has no capital, no armed forces and NO Income Tax!
4) Tuvalu
Tuvalu, earlier known as, Ellice Islands, is a country in the west-central Pacific Ocean. The country gained its independence from the British in 1978. It is composed of nine small coral islands scattered in a chain lying approximately northwest to southeast over a distance of some 420 miles (676 km). The fourth-smallest country in the world is home to around 10,000 people. It has a thin strip of land, stretching across 26 square kilometres or 10 square miles.
Tuvalu includes both atolls and reef islands. The atolls — Nanumea, Nui, Nukufetau, Funafuti, and Nukulaelae — have islets encircling a shallow lagoon; the reef islands — Nanumanga, Niutao, Vaitupu, and Niulakita — are compact with a fringing reef.
Tuvalu’s remote location and the unacceptance of basic financial instruments like credit cards has made tourism difficult. Its Funafuti international airport receives 3 flights a week and it is said, that whenever a plane lands, they sound a siren so everyone gets off the runway!
5) San Marino
A small republic situated on the slopes of Mount Titano, San Marino lies on the Adriatic side of central Italy between the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions, surrounded on all sides by the republic of Italy.
San Marino is considered one of the oldest sovereign states in the world. Over 32,000 people reside in San Marino’s area of 23 square miles or 61 square kilometres. San Marino has an irregular rectangular form with a maximum length of 8 miles (13 km), northeast to southwest. It is crossed by the Marano and Ausa (Aussa) streams, which flow into the Adriatic Sea, and by the stream of San Marino, which falls into the Marecchia River.
The landscape is dominated by the huge, central limestone mass of Mount Titano (2,424 feet [739 metres]); hills spread out from it on the southwest, whereas the north eastern part gently slopes down toward the Romagna plain and the Adriatic coast.
The silhouette of Mount Titano, with its three summits crowned by ancient triple fortifications, can be seen from many miles away.
6) Liechtenstein
This western European principality located between Switzerland and Austria is one of the smallest countries of Europe with its capital being Vaduz. Liechtenstein covers 161 square kilometres area or 62 square miles with roughly 36,000 residents.
The eastern two-thirds of the country is composed of the rugged foothills of the Rhätikon Mountains, part of the central Alps. The highest peak is Grauspitz, which rises to 8,527 feet (2,599 metres), and much of the principality is at an elevation above 6,000 feet (1,800 metres).
The lower slopes of the mountains are covered by evergreen forests and alpine flowers, while their bare peaks are blanketed in snow. The mountains contain three major valleys with the River Samina flowing through their hearts.
Considered one of the wealthiest nations in the world, Liechtenstein is blessed with the splendid Alpine landscape. It has no international airport so accessing the country is possible only via the bordering countries of Switzerland or Austria.
7) The Marshall Islands
Officially known as the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Marshallese Majōl is a country in the central Pacific Ocean. It consists of some of the easternmost islands of Micronesia. The Marshalls are composed of more than 1,200 islands and islets in two parallel chains of coral atolls — the Ratak, or Sunrise, to the east and the Ralik, or Sunset, to the west. The islands are coral caps set on the rims of submerged volcanoes rising from the ocean floor.
Over 55,000 people live in this country situated between Hawaii and Australia.The islands are rich in biodiversity making it a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
8) Saint Kitts and Nevis
Also called Saint Christopher and Nevis, this country is composed of two islands of the Lesser Antilles in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The twin islands span across 261 square kilometres or 101 square miles and are home to over 50,000 people.
Mount Liamuiga (formerly Mount Misery), with a lake in its forested crater, is the highest point (3,792 feet [1,156 metres]) and the capital is Basseterre, situated on the island of Saint Kitts.
Being the smallest country in the Caribbean, its soil — except for in the mountains — is light and porous. Most of the beaches have black volcanic sands. The island is well watered and fertile, with warm summers and somewhat cooler winters. The average summer temperature is about 86 °F (30 °C) and the average winter temperature about 81 °F (27 °C).
Boasting a thriving marine life, warm tropical climate throughout the year and rare bird species, it is a paradise for nature lovers.
But that’s not all the paradise it is — It is also a tax haven for the “rich” who want to hide their wealth since the country offers easy citizenship through investments or donations and their passport is powerful enough to get you Visa free travel to over 80 countries including the Schengen and the UK.
9) The Maldives
An independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean, the Maldives consist of a chain of about 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks (some 200 of which are inhabited), grouped in clusters, or atolls. The islands extend more than 510 miles (820 km) from north to south and 80 miles (130 km) from east to west. The northernmost atoll is about 370 miles (600 km) south-southwest of the Indian mainland, and the central area, including the capital island of Male (Male’), is about 400 miles (645 km) southwest of Sri Lanka.
A haven for honeymooners with its white sands, pristine beaches and innumerable island — resorts; Maldives is not just a country but a world in itself.
10) Malta
Malta island is located in the central Mediterranean Sea. A small but strategically important group of islands, the archipelago has through its long and turbulent history played a vital role in the struggles powers for domination of the Mediterranean.
As a result, Maltese society has been melded by centuries of foreign rule by various powers, including the Phoenicians, Romans, Greeks, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Swabians, Aragonese, Hospitallers, French, and the British.
Malta provides a perfect slice of nature, history and culture with its picturesque beaches, heritage temples, forts and ruins, and a lively nightlife. Spanning across 316 square kilometres or 122 square miles, inhabited by over 4,00,000 people, Malta is considered one of the densely populated countries in the world.
We are sure that as we build up the courage to step out again after a long and depressing pandemic, the purpose and depth of every travel experience will be at the forefront of our itineraries. From lying aimlessly at an overwater private pool in a Maldivian Villa to hiking down Princes’ way for a breathtaking view of the Liechtensteinian Alps, our travel wish-lists are drawn out and ready to go.
Let’s hope the lockdowns open out soon and give us the option to board our flights to fantasy!
Stay Happy, stay Safe until then!
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