Among the 195 countries of the world, there are a few countries even smaller than your average-sized village. If you were to add the area of all these countries together, the area would be just a wee-bit larger than of Goa.
1. Palau
Population: 21,977
Area: 459 km²
Located in the western Pacific Ocean, Palau is made up of 340 islands. It was originally settled 3,000 years ago by Filipino migrants. The waters of Palau houses 130 endangered species of sharks. The Jellyfish Lake is a marine lake where millions of golden jellyfish migrate across daily, where visitors can swim.
2. Niue
Population: 1,624
Area: 261.5 km²
Niue is located towards the northeast of New Zealand and has predominantly a Polynesian population. Despite its breathtaking views, tourism is not a booming industry here, and so, the country depends on foreign aid from New Zealand. Due to its small population and size, Niue only has two boxers who have no choice but to spar with each other.
3. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Population: 54,821
Area: 261 km²
Also known as the Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, the island country is located in the West Indies. Comprising of two islands- Saint Kitts and Nevis, the source of income of the small sovereign state is through its citizenship program- investing $250,000 in the local sugar industry or purchasing a property worth at least $400,000.
4. Tuvalu
Population: 11,097
Area: 26 km²
Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean and comprises three reef islands and six atolls. Funafuti, the capital city houses more than 50% of the country’s population. The country’s main source of income is through the domain name ‘.tv’ which adds millions to the country’s budget.
5. Nauru
Population: 13,049
Area: 21 km²
Nauru is located in the Central Pacific and is the smallest country in the South Pacific and the third smallest in the world. Nauru does not have an official capital or a public transportation system. The roads which run only 25 km around the small country is driven on by private vehicles.
6. The Principality of Seborga
Population: 320
Area: 14 km²
Located in the northwestern province of Imperia, The Principality of Seborga is ruled by Prince Marcello I. The small country even has its own army the strength of which is just 3 people- the Defence Minister and 2 border guards.
7. Malta
Population: 450,000
Area: 316 km²
Malta is located in Southern Europe and is one of the smallest and densely populated countries in the world. This small country has its own currency stamps, website, and car numbers. The citizens enjoy the privilege of entering several countries around the world without a visa.
8. The Republic of Molossia
Population: 34
Area: 5,300 m²
The Republic of Molossia is a claimed micronation within the United States. It was founded by Kevin Baugh in 1962. Molossia has its own national anthem, a national emblem, a national flag, and a space program.
9. Vatican City
Population: 1,000
Area: 110 acres
Vatican City is an independent state within the city of Rome and is the smallest state in the world by both area and population. Vatican consumes more wine than the rest of the world- around 74 liters per year by an average person. Vatican also has the world’s shortest railway- a network of just 300 m.
10. Monaco
Population: 38,499
Area: 2.02 km²
Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera in Western Europe. The small state is ruled by a constitutional monarch, Prince Albert II. Monaco is a favourite destination for the wealthy due to its tax laws. More than 30% of Monaco’s population is made up of millionaires. Monaco is also famous for the Grand Prix which runs through its streets once a year. The size of the country is so small that an average person can walk across the width of the country in under 57 minutes. For a country so small, it has the largest police force in the world.
11. San Marino
Population: 33,203
Area: 61.2 km²
San Marino is a sovereign microstate situated on the Italian Peninsula on the northern side of the Apennine Mountains. It is among the wealthiest countries in the world in terms of GDP. San Marino boasts of the lowest unemployment rates, no national debt, and a surplus in budget. It is the only country in the world which has more vehicles than people.
12. Marshall Islands
Population: 53,066
Area: 181.4 km²
Marshall Islands is an island country in the Pacific Ocean. The island got its name from the British explorer, John Marshall, who visited the island in 1788. The northwest part of the island was used as a ship graveyard after World War II and is now a popular wreck dive site. Elugelab, an island part of Marshall Islands is now extinct as it was blown up when the US military used it as a hydrogen bomb test site.
13. Seychelles
Population: 94,677
Area: 459 km²
The 115-island country is an archipelago and a sovereign state in the Indian Ocean. It has the smallest population in African Union. Seychelles used to be a haven for pirates and it is believed that treasures are hidden around the island country. The capital of Seychelles is the smallest in the world.
14. Andorra
Population: 77,281
Area: 467.6 km²
Andorra is a sovereign landlocked country on the Iberian Peninsula. Andorra is the sixth-smallest country in Europe and 16th-smallest country in the world. Andorra does not have a nationalised bank and has not been to war in over 1000 years. During World War I, they declared war on Germany, but did not send troops to fight.
15. Grenada
Population: 1,07,317
Area: 348.5 km²
Located in the southern Caribbean Sea, Grenada is made up seven islands. It is also known as the “Island of Spice” as it is the largest producer and exporter of nutmeg and mace. Since the island country is small, it has only three traffic lights.
These countries may be small but some of them rank among the most influential in the world stage.