When people think of a state, they often think of it as something extremely large: a political entity exercising power over a vast territory, this one geographically divided into regions, provinces and municipalities. But in reality, not all states are really as big as people think. In fact, there are micronations so small that they are almost like neighbourhoods when compared to large metropolises such as London or New York. Here is the ranking of the 10 smallest states in the world.
10 - Malta, 316 km²
Capital: Valletta
Population: 446,547
Malta is an island state in the Mediterranean Sea, a well-known tourist destination popular for its incredible beaches.
The Republic of Malta consists of three major islands (the eponymous Malta, Comino and Gozo), plus other smaller islets. With just under 450,000 inhabitants, Malta is one of the most densely populated countries in the world.
9 - Maldives, 300 km²
Capital: Malé
Population: 393,500
Further up the ranking we find another island state: the Maldives.
The archipelago is a popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean. It only recently became an independent country after having been colonised by Europeans for several centuries.
8 - Saint Kitts and Nevis, 261 km².
Capital: Basseterre
Population: 54,961
These 2 of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean make up one of the most important states in the Caribbean Sea.
SEEALSO: 10 most beautiful islands in the Caribbean
7 - Marshall Islands, 181.42 km²
Capital: Majuro
Population: 68,000
The Marshall Islands are a presidential republic that until a few years ago was politically administered by the United States of America. The tiny state came into being in 1986 and consists of two archipelagos: Ratak and Ralik.
6 - Liechtenstein, 160 km²
Capital: Vaduz
Population: 37,132
This small state is surrounded by the Alps, situated between Switzerland and Austria.
Here, most of the population speaks German (official language) and Italian. Liechtenstein is one of the richest countries in Europe in terms of GDP per capita, with a very low unemployment rate.
ALSO SEE: 10 must-sees in Liechtenstain
5 - San Marino, 61 km²
Capital: San Marino
Population: 29,000
In the top five we find another Italian acquaintance: the Most Serene Republic of San Marino. In this small nation, the crisis is much less felt than in Italy. It is the third smallest country on the old continent and also has very good GDP and unemployment figures.
4 - Tuvalu, 26 km²
Capital: Funafuti
Population: 12,000
Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean, west of Australia. The country used to belong to British territory, but gained independence in 1978. Tuvalu is a difficult place to reach, which is why it is not a popular tourist destination.
3 - Nauru, 21 km²
Capital: none
Population: 13,000
Nuaru holds two records: it is the smallest island state in the world and theonly state not to have an official capital; furthermore, there is apparently a very high percentage of obese inhabitants among the population.
SEEALSO: The most obese countries in the world
2 - Monaco, 2 km²
Capital: Monaco
Population: 32,000
Located on the French Riviera, Monaco is home to a large number of millionaires and billionaires among its inhabitants. It is known for its luxury and casinos as well as the Monte Carlo circuit. The population density rate is among the highest in Europe.
1 - Vatican, 0.44 km²
Capital: Vatican City
Population: 836 people
The smallest country in the world is the Vatican, also known as the Holy See. This country is located in the heart of Rome, and is the centre of the Catholic Church. The central point of the micronation coincides with St. Peter's Square, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy and home to the most important church in the world: St. Peter's Basilica.
Its income comes partly from voluntary contributions made by over 1 billion members of the Catholic Church, and partly from the sale of stamps, souvenirs and entrance tickets to the Vatican museums.