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Have you ever wondered what it’s like to live in a country so small it can fit within a city? Fun facts about the world’s smallest countries reveal how these tiny nations have rich histories and unique traditions, despite their small size. From Vatican City to Monaco, each of these offers something special, making them far more interesting than you might think. For instance, did you know that the European country of Liechtenstein is only 62 square miles in area? Here are some more fun facts about the world’s smallest countries for students.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Vatican City is the Smallest Country in the World
- 2 2. Monaco is the Second-Smallest Country in the World
- 3 3. Monte Carlo is the Heart of Monaco
- 4 4. Monaco is Home to the Famous Monte Carlo Casino
- 5 5. Tuvalu is Full of Islands
- 6 6. Nauru is the World’s Smallest Island Nation
- 7 7. Vatican City is the Spiritual Center of Catholicism
- 8 8. Tuvalu does Not have Streams or Rivers
- 9 9. Nauru has No Official Capital City
- 10 10. Vatican City was Founded by the Lateran Treaty
- 11 11. Tuvaly has 2 Official Languages
- 12 12. The Vatican City has an Ecclesiastical Government
- 13 13. The Vatican City is Not a UN Member by Choice
- 14 14. San Marino is a Microstate
- 15 15. Abraham Lincoln’s Honorary Citizenship
- 16 Top 10 Smallest Countries in the World
- 17 FAQs
1. Vatican City is the Smallest Country in the World
Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. Measuring only about 100 acres, the Vatican City is completely surrounded by Italy. The Vatican City is also an independent state with its own government, despite being within Rome. Despite its size, it wields significant influence as the spiritual hub of the Roman Catholic Church.
2. Monaco is the Second-Smallest Country in the World
Monaco covers just 0.77 square miles, making it the second-smallest country globally after Vatican City. Despite its size, it boasts a vibrant economy and luxurious lifestyle, attracting tourists and celebrities alike. Its compactness allows visitors to explore the entire country in just a day! It enjoys a prime location on the picturesque French Riviera, providing visitors with breathtaking views, sunny beaches, and a temperate climate.
3. Monte Carlo is the Heart of Monaco
Monte Carlo is Monaco’s only official city and serves as its capital. It’s renowned as a resort area that caters to the world’s wealthiest individuals. The city’s luxurious hotels, designer boutiques, and glamorous events make it a popular attraction for high-profile visitors.
4. Monaco is Home to the Famous Monte Carlo Casino
The Monte Carlo Casino is one of Monaco’s most iconic landmarks. Built-in 1863, it is celebrated for its opulent architecture and gaming facilities.
Source: Grace de Monaco / Picture of Monte Carlo Casino
5. Tuvalu is Full of Islands
Tuvalu consists of nine small islands, each with unique features. Six of these islands have lagoons that connect to the ocean, offering breathtaking views and diverse marine life. The other three islands have distinctive land regions.
6. Nauru is the World’s Smallest Island Nation
Nauru is spread across just 8.5 square miles, making it the smallest island country in the world. Although it is compact in size, it sustains a population of around 10,000 people.
7. Vatican City is the Spiritual Center of Catholicism
Vatican City is the heart of the Roman Catholic Church and the residence of the Pope. It is the place where major decisions and teachings that shape the lives of Catholics worldwide are made. The influence comes from its history, religious significance, and the role it plays in global faith and diplomacy.
Source: Chicago Catholic / Picture of Pope in the Vatican City
8. Tuvalu does Not have Streams or Rivers
Unlike most places, Tuvalu has no streams or rivers. Its islands are coral atolls, meaning there is no groundwater to draw upon. Instead, residents rely entirely on rainwater, collected through catchment systems and stored in tanks, to meet their water needs.
9. Nauru has No Official Capital City
Unlike most countries, Nauru does not have an official capital city. Government offices and key institutions are spread across the island, reflecting its small size and tight-knit community structure.
10. Vatican City was Founded by the Lateran Treaty
Vatican City officially became a country in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty with Italy. This agreement granted it independence and established its unique position as a religious and sovereign entity. It was created to resolve long-standing disputes between the Catholic Church and the Italian government.
Source: Wikipedia / Picture of Vatican and Italian government nobles before signing the treaty
11. Tuvaly has 2 Official Languages
Tuvalu embraces bilingualism with Tuvaluan and English as its official languages. This helps maintain its cultural identity while facilitating communication with the outside world.
12. The Vatican City has an Ecclesiastical Government
Vatican City is governed as an ecclesiastical state with the Pope serving as its head. This means that the country is led by the principles of the Catholic Church rather than a traditional political system. Laws and decisions are heavily influenced by religious doctrines.
13. The Vatican City is Not a UN Member by Choice
Unlike most countries, Vatican City has chosen not to join the United Nations. This decision helps maintain its neutrality and independence, allowing it to mediate on global issues without aligning with any political agenda.
14. San Marino is a Microstate
San Marino is a microstate located in Italy. It is believed that Saint Marinus, a stonemason, founded the country in 301 CE. Apart from being one of the smallest countries in the world, San Marino is also one of the oldest countries as well.
15. Abraham Lincoln’s Honorary Citizenship
In 1861, San Marino honoured Abraham Lincoln with honorary citizenship following a letter exchange where Lincoln praised the country’s long history as the world’s oldest republic.
Do Check Out:
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Top 10 Smallest Countries in the World
The world is home to some incredibly small countries, each with its own unique characteristics and charm. Here’s a list of the top 10 smallest countries in the world:
- Nauru
- Vatican City
- San Marino
- Tuvalu
- Liechtenstein
- Marshall Islands
- Maldives
- Malta
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
FAQs
Vatican City is the world’s smallest country. Located within Rome as a city-state, it covers just 0.2 square miles and serves as the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church.
The Republic of Molossia, a self-proclaimed micronation in Nevada, has a population of 33 people.
Tuvalu, a country in Oceania, is the fourth smallest country in the world by area. It contains about 9 small coral islands.
Many people consider San Marino the smallest and the oldest country in the world. It is the smallest independent state in Europe after the Vatican City and Monaco.
Vatican City became an independent country in 1929 with the signing of the Lateran Treaty between the Holy See and Italy. It serves as the religious and administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.
Interesting Reads
Hope you like these fun facts about the world’s smallest countries. If you want to know more about topics like this, then visit our Interesting Facts and General Knowledge page!