They may be small but some of these nations are very important travel destinations and financial paradises. In these cases, size isn’t necessary to make them important. Here are the world’s 10 smallest states:
10. Maldives
The Maldives
Set in the Indian Ocean, the Republic of Maldives is an island nation made up of twenty-six atolls featuring 1,192 islets, out of which just two hundred and fifty six are inhabited. With only around 300,000 inhabitants, the Maldives is the smallest Asian country in terms of population. Before the year 1965, when Maldives became an independent country, there were only 100,000 citizens in the area, but soon after, the number doubled and in 2007 it reached 300,000.
9. Seychelles
Seychelles
Officially called the Republic of Seychelles, this tiny country lays 1,800 km east of the African continent, in the Indian Ocean. It spreads across 115 islands, a surface of 107 square miles. Separated from Britain in 1976, Seychelles became the smallest, independent African state, with a population of just 81,000.
8. Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis
The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis is made up of two corresponding islands, the larger, Saint Kitts and the smaller Nevis. It is located in the Leeward Islands and with a population of only 39,000 it is the smallest country in America. It covers just 104 miles.
7. Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
In the middle of the Pacific, just north of the Equator you can find the Micronesian country of the Marshall Islands. This small nation with a population of just 58,000 souls spread over 70 miles, gained its independence in 1979.
6. Lichtenstein
Lichtenstein
Bordered by Austria to the west and Switzerland to the east, the tiny nation of Lichtenstein is a remnant of the old Holy Roman Empire. Known as the smallest German-speaking country on the planet, Lichtenstein spreads across 62 square miles and has a population of 34,000 citizens. It is best known for its winter destination, and for being a financial paradise.
5. San Marino
San Marino
This small nation claims to be the oldest established state in the world, founded on September 3rd by Marinus of Rab, a Christian stonemason. It is completely surrounded by Italy and it is set in the Apennine Mountains. San Marino is the third smallest country in Europe, with a population of 29,000 inhabitants and a surface of 24 square miles.
4. Tuvalu
Tuvalu
Halfway between Hawaii and Australia, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean lays the Polynesian island nation of Tuvalu. It became completely independent in 1978, and now it is the second-smallest member of the United Nations. Tuvalu is set on 9 coral attols, covering a surface of only 9 square miles. It has a population of 12,000 souls.
3. Nauru
Nauru
The Republic of Nauru is set in the Southern Pacific and is the world’s smallest island nations, with a surface of just over 8 square miles. Originally inhabited by Micronesian and Polynesian tribes, the island entered Germany’s sphere of influence and was attached as a colony. It was occupied by Japan during WWII and finally achieved independence in 1968. Pleasure Island, as it’s called has a population of 13,000.
2. Monaco
Monaco
They say unless you have an 8-figure sum in your bank account, there is no point in going to Monaco, a nation famous worldwide for its casinos. This tiny state is also known as a tax paradise and many important celebrities make Monaco their residence just to evade some taxes. It has been founded as a state in the 13th century and it has prospered ever since. Monaco covers just 0.7 square miles and has a population of 32,000.
1. The Vatican
The Vatican
Set in the heart of Rome and separated by a surrounding wall, The Vatican is the smallest state in the world. It spreads across 0.2 square miles and has a population of only 770 people. Despite its size, The Vatican is a state simply because it is viewed as the spiritual center of the Catholic Church and the home of The Pope.
0 comments:
Post a Comment