The world’s smallest country: Vatican City and other tiny nations
Vatican City, smaller than half a square kilometre, plus Monaco, Nauru and Tuvalu — facts about the world’s smallest countries.
Rohit Tandon · 6 October 2026 · 3 min read
Some countries in the world are so small that you can walk across them in a few minutes. Yet they have their own government, flag, laws and identity. Let us learn about the world's smallest countries.
The smallest country: Vatican City
Vatican City is the world's smallest independent country, both by area and by population. Its area is only about 0.44 square kilometres — about the size of a big college campus. It lies in the middle of Rome, the capital of Italy, and is surrounded on all sides by the city. About 800 people live there.
Vatican City is the residence and administrative centre of the Pope, the supreme head of the Catholic Church. It became a separate independent state after the "Lateran Treaty" signed with Italy in 1929. Its famous St Peter's Basilica is one of the largest churches in the world, and Michelangelo's paintings on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel are known worldwide.
Did you know? Since 1506 the Pope has been guarded by the "Swiss Guard" — chosen soldiers from Switzerland who still wear their colourful traditional uniform.
The five smallest countries in the world
| Country | Where | Approximate area |
|---|---|---|
| Vatican City | Europe (inside Rome) | 0.44 sq km |
| Monaco | Europe (on the coast of France) | About 2 sq km |
| Nauru | Pacific Ocean | About 21 sq km |
| Tuvalu | Pacific Ocean | About 26 sq km |
| San Marino | Europe (inside Italy) | About 61 sq km |
Monaco: the most densely populated country
Monaco, on the Mediterranean coast, is the second-smallest country, but it is also the most densely populated country in the world — thousands of people live in a tiny area. It is known for its casino, its Formula 1 race and its tall seaside buildings.
Nauru: the smallest republic
The Pacific island nation of Nauru is the world's smallest republic. It has no official capital; its government offices are in the Yaren district. It was once very rich from its phosphate mines, but when the mining ran out it faced economic difficulties.
Tuvalu and the rising sea
Tuvalu is made up of a few small coral islands, and most of its land is only a few metres above sea level. Because climate change is raising the sea level, there are concerns about its future.
What is the smallest in India?
Among India's states, Goa is the smallest by area — about 3,700 square kilometres. Among the union territories, Lakshadweep is the smallest, with a total land area of about 32 square kilometres — many times bigger than Vatican City, but smaller than any Indian city. Most of Lakshadweep's islands in the Arabian Sea are made of coral.
The smallest country in Asia
The smallest country in Asia is the Maldives — a group of about 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, south-west of India, with a total land area of about 300 square kilometres.
Read more: The world's largest river · Class 7 quiz: world geography.
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