When it comes to small countries, island nations are typically small, and their government's jurisdictions end on their coastlines. Still, exceptions like Hispaniola exist, wherein Haiti and the Dominican Republic share a moderately large island. The Vatican is officially the world's smallest country with a compact 0.19 mi2 (0.49 km2) of total area. The following tiniest countries are Monaco (0.77 mi2), Nauru (8.1 mi2), and Tuvalu (10 mi2). However, to break things down, the world's smallest countries are sorted here, in terms of total area, by the continents they inhabit. 

　　Complete Ranking of the Smallest Countries While Technically Not Countries, Other Micronations From Around the World

The 15 Smallest Countries In The World

Rank	Country	Total in km2 (mi2)
1	Vatican City	0.49 (0.19)
2	Monaco	2.0 (0.77)
3	Nauru	21 (8.1)
4	Tuvalu	26 (10)
5	San Marino	61 (24)
6	Liechtenstein	160 (62)
7	Marshall Islands	181 (70)
8	Saint Kitts and Nevis	261 (101)
9	Maldives	300 (120)
10	Malta	316 (122)
11	Grenada	344 (133)
12	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	389 (150)
13	Barbados	431 (166)
14	Antigua and Barbuda	442 (171)
15	Seychelles	452 (175)

　　

Map of the Smallest 15 Countries

The locations of the 15 smallest countries in the world, with their areas depicted according to scale

1. Vatican City

Vatican City overlooking St. Peter's Square

　　Vatican City, with an area of 0.19 square miles, holds the title as the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world, not just Europe. A landlocked city-state within the confines of Rome, Italy, it boasts remarkable compactness. Its boundaries encompass St. Peter's Square, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Gardens, contributing to its mesmerizing architectural layout. The country exists because, in 1929, Pope Pius XI signed a treaty as compensation for the Vatican's loss of influence elsewhere in Italy.

　　

2. Monaco

Main marina of Monte Carlo in Monaco at sunset Monaco, situated on the French Riviera in Western Europe, encompasses an area of 0.77 square miles. The densely populated principality thrives along the Mediterranean coastline, strategically hugging rugged, rising terrain. Monaco's geographic hallmark, the Rock of Monaco, provides a vantage point that emphasizes its smallness, with the entirety of its urban expanse often visible from this point.

　　

3. Nauru

 Ariel view of Nauru  Nauru occupies an area of 8.1 square miles, earning it the distinction of the smallest island nation not only in Oceania but also in the world. The central plateau, known as Topside, dominates the geography with phosphate rock outcrops scattered across its surface. An encircling narrow coastal strip fringed with palm trees provides a sharp contrast to this rocky interior. Although its size is small, Nauru's features, such as the Buada Lagoon situated inland, demonstrate its compact nature that still provides plenty for its residents.

　　

4. Tuvalu

Aerial of the island of Tuvalu Spread across an area of just 10 square miles, Tuvalu is the second smallest country in Oceania. It consists of a chain of nine coral atolls, with Funafuti, its largest atoll, serving as the nation's capital. The highest point in Tuvalu is only 15 feet above sea level, accentuating its small size. Despite its compressed dimensions, Tuvalu manages the Funafuti Conservation Area along its coast, an extensive marine protected region that is about 12.7 square miles of reef and land.

　　

5. San Marino

San Marino cityscape San Marino, with its 24 square miles, is an enclaved microstate situated on the northeastern side of the Apennine Mountains in Italy. This hilltop republic, the third smallest country in Europe, encompasses a region typified by a rugged, mountainous landscape. Mount Titano, the highest peak in the country, stands as a testament to the country's size, as the three towers perched atop it overlook virtually all of San Marino's territory.

　　

6. Liechtenstein

Landscape view of Balzers village with saint Nicholas church in Liechtenstein The micro-state in Europe takes a leap in size comprising ​​160 square kilometers principality with 39,475 residents and population density of 243 people per sq. km. Lichtenstein neighbors Switzerland to the west and south and Austria in the east. Its capital city is Vaduz and German is the main language, while 34% of the inhabitants are foreigners. The state is most-known for mountainous terrain with many winter sport resorts and tax haven attracting the active wealth. The country's economy depends on international companies that in-turn benefit from Liechtenstein's low taxes.

　　

7. Marshall Islands

Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands Covering an area of 70 square miles, the Marshall Islands is an archipelago nation in the central Pacific Ocean. It comprises 29 atolls and five islands, a geographical spread that exemplifies its size. The islands are characterized by flat terrains not exceeding 10 feet above sea level on average. The largest atoll, Kwajalein, includes a substantial lagoon measuring approximately 1,125 square miles, despite the island's thin, encircling 5.6 square miles. Even with its seemingly diminutive landmass, the Marshall Islands' extensive aquatic territory is a resource in and of itself, helping the government to establish and maintain sovereignty.

　　

8. Saint Kitts and Nevis

Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis, two island territories amassing a total area of 101 square miles, represent the smallest sovereign state in the Western Hemisphere. Occupying a portion of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea, the duo's geography consists primarily of volcanic landscapes. The islands' principal physical feature, Mount Liamuiga, reaches its maximum height at only 3,793 ft (1,156 m).

　　

9. Maldives

Aerial view of Maldives The Maldives, an Asian country composed entirely of coral islands, covers an area of approximately 120 square miles. It sprawls across the Indian Ocean, near the southwestern coast of India, in a chain of 26 atolls. The highest point in this flat, low-lying country does not exceed 8 feet above sea level, a feature that makes the Maldives one of the lowest countries on Earth. Despite its small size, the Maldives harbors extreme importance in the realm of biodiversity, with over 2000 species of fish calling the island chain home.

　　

10. Malta

Narrow street in Valletta - the capital of Malta. Malta is an archipelago located in the Mediterranean Sea and composed of three main islands. Its landscape is characterized by high hills and terraced fields, as well as numerous bays, harbours, and beaches. Evidence of human settlement on the islands dates back to around 5200 BCE. The small country of 216 sq. km. in area is a popular cultural destination with rich history and prehistoric buildings, like the megalithic temples of Tarxien and the Mnajdra and Hagar Qim temples. The latter was built during a unique era to function like a clock. Malta has always been a strategically important place, as well as scene of battles among its conquerors. It was ruled by several nations over years, with all leaving a cultural mark, before final independence from Britain.

　　

11. Grenada

View of Saint George's town, capital of Grenada The island nation of Grenada, extending over an area of 133 square miles, ranks as the second smallest independent country in North America. Also located in the Lesser Antilles, Grenada features a terrain defined by a central highland spine, where the island's highest point, Mount Saint Catherine, stands tall at 2,757 ft (840 m).

　　

12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

View of Barrouallie with Sea in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, an archipelago nation in the Windward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, comprises an area of 150 square miles. It is an assemblage of the main island, Saint Vincent, and a chain of smaller islands, the Grenadines. The most significant geographic feature, La Soufriere volcano, is not only the highest peak in the country, but it has been active since 1995 with continuous eruptions. 

　　

13. Barbados 

Coastline of Barbados Island, Caribbean Paradise The Eastern Caribbean country is the 13th smallest independent state in the world spreading over an area of 430 square kilometers. Barbados is the easternmost island of the Lesser Antilles archipelago in the Atlantic, just off the coast of Venezuela and Guyana, and most-visited by tourists in the Caribbean. The thought-after destination encompasses a real paradise with beautiful weather under nearly-constant sunshine.

　　

14. Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua Bay, view from Shirely Heights Covering an area of only 440 sq. km, the dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda is in the Caribbean Sea. Located where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Lesser Antilles, the terrain of both islands is generally hilly, covered in lush vegetation and dotted with golden sand beaches. The history of the islands dates back to pre-Columbian times when it was inhabited by Arawak or Ciboney peoples. Antigua was colonized first by British interests in 1632 while Barbuda only had permanent settlement as a result of recruiting free African slaves and former enslaved Africans from surrounding Caribbean Islands. Since obtaining its independence from Britain in 1981, Antigua and Barbuda has become one of the most prosperous nations in the region, boasting excellent tourist infrastructure and a stable government.

　　

15. Seychelles

Mahe Seychelles Seychelles, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean, has a total land area of 175 square miles, making it Africa's smallest country. Composed of 115 islands, it displays a mix of coral atolls and granitic islands. For reference, the Morne Seychellois National Park (11.7 mi2) occupies almost 20% of the main island of Mahé (60.7 mi2).

　　Despite their limited sizes, these independent nations persistently maintain their sovereignty, affirming the principle that a country's significance is not measured by its geographical expanse but by its capability to self-govern and sustain a distinctive culture. Small nations continually challenge our understanding of what defines a country, emphasizing that territorial dimension is just one attribute in the intricate character of nationhood.

　　

All 195 Countries Ranked By Total Area (Smallest To Largest)

Rank	Country	Total in km2 (mi2)	Land in km2 (mi2)
1	Vatican City	0.49 (0.19)	0.49 (0.19)
2	Monaco	2.0 (0.77)	2.0 (0.77)
3	Nauru	21 (8.1)	21 (8.1)
4	Tuvalu	26 (10)	26 (10)
5	San Marino	61 (24)	61 (24)
6	Liechtenstein	160 (62)	160 (62)
7	Marshall Islands	181 (70)	181 (70)
8	Saint Kitts and Nevis	261 (101)	261 (101)
9	Maldives	300 (120)	298 (115)
10	Malta	316 (122)	316 (122)
11	Grenada	344 (133)	344 (133)
12	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	389 (150)	389 (150)
13	Barbados	431 (166)	431 (166)
14	Antigua and Barbuda	442 (171)	442 (171)
15	Seychelles	452 (175)	455 (176)
16	Palau	459 (177)	459 (177)
17	Andorra	468 (181)	468 (181)
18	Saint Lucia	616 (238)	606 (234)
19	Micronesia	702 (271)	702 (271)
20	Singapore	728 (281)	716 (276)
21	Tonga	747 (288)	717 (277)
22	Dominica	751 (290)	751 (290)
23	Bahrain	786 (303)	786 (303)
24	Kiribati	811 (313)	811 (313)
25	São Tomé and Príncipe	964 (372)	964 (372)
26	Comoros	1,862 (719)	1,862 (719)
27	Mauritius	2,040 (790)	2,030 (780)
28	Luxembourg	2,586 (998)	2,586 (998)
29	Samoa	2,842 (1,097)	2,821 (1,089)
30	Cape Verde	4,033 (1,557)	4,033 (1,557)
31	Trinidad and Tobago	5,130 (1,980)	5,128 (1,980)
32	Brunei	5,765 (2,226)	5,265 (2,033)
33	Palestine	6,220 (2,400)	6,000 (2,300)
34	Cyprus	9,251 (3,572)	9,241 (3,568)
35	Lebanon	10,452 (4,036)	10,230 (3,950)
36	Jamaica	10,991 (4,244)	10,831 (4,182)
37	Gambia	11,295 (4,361)	10,000 (3,900)
38	Qatar	11,586 (4,473)	11,586 (4,473)
39	Vanuatu	12,189 (4,706)	12,189 (4,706)
40	Montenegro	13,812 (5,333)	13,452 (5,194)
41	Bahamas	13,943 (5,383)	10,010 (3,860)
42	East Timor	14,919 (5,760)	14,919 (5,760)
43	Eswatini	17,364 (6,704)	17,204 (6,643)
44	Kuwait	17,818 (6,880)	17,818 (6,880)
45	Fiji	18,272 (7,055)	18,274 (7,056)
46	Slovenia	20,273 (7,827)	20,151 (7,780)
47	Israel	20,770 (8,020)	20,330 (7,850)
48	El Salvador	21,041 (8,124)	20,721 (8,000)
49	Belize	22,966 (8,867)	22,806 (8,805)
50	Djibouti	23,200 (9,000)	23,180 (8,950)
51	North Macedonia	25,713 (9,928)	25,433 (9,820)
52	Rwanda	26,338 (10,169)	24,668 (9,524)
53	Haiti	27,750 (10,710)	27,560 (10,640)
54	Burundi	27,834 (10,747)	25,680 (9,920)
55	Equatorial Guinea	28,051 (10,831)	28,051 (10,831)
56	Albania	28,748 (11,100)	27,398 (10,578)
57	Solomon Islands	28,896 (11,157)	27,986 (10,805)
58	Armenia	29,743 (11,484)	28,342 (10,943)
59	Lesotho	30,355 (11,720)	30,355 (11,720)
60	Belgium	30,528 (11,787)	30,278 (11,690)
61	Moldova	33,846 (13,068)	32,891 (12,699)
62	Guinea-Bissau	36,125 (13,948)	28,120 (10,860)
63	Bhutan	38,394 (14,824)	38,394 (14,824)
64	Switzerland	41,284 (15,940)	39,997 (15,443)
65	Netherlands	41,850 (16,160)	33,893 (13,086)
66	Denmark	43,094 (16,639)	42,434 (16,384)
67	Estonia	45,227 (17,462)	42,388 (16,366)
68	Dominican Republic	48,671 (18,792)	48,320 (18,660)
69	Slovakia	49,037 (18,933)	48,105 (18,573)
70	Costa Rica	51,100 (19,700)	51,060 (19,710)
71	Bosnia and Herzegovina	51,209 (19,772)	51,187 (19,763)
72	Croatia	56,594 (21,851)	55,974 (21,612)
73	Togo	56,785 (21,925)	54,385 (20,998)
74	Latvia	64,559 (24,926)	62,249 (24,034)
75	Lithuania	65,300 (25,200)	62,680 (24,200)
76	Sri Lanka	65,610 (25,330)	62,732 (24,221)
77	Georgia	69,700 (26,900)	69,700 (26,900)
78	Ireland	70,273 (27,133)	68,883 (26,596)
79	Sierra Leone	71,740 (27,700)	71,620 (27,650)
80	Panama	75,417 (29,119)	74,340 (28,700)
81	Czech Republic	78,871 (30,452)	77,171 (29,796)
82	United Arab Emirates	83,600 (32,300)	83,600 (32,300)
83	Austria	83,871 (32,383)	82,445 (31,832)
84	Azerbaijan	86,600 (33,400)	86,100 (33,200)
85	Serbia	88,361 (34,116)	88,246 (34,072)
86	Jordan	89,342 (34,495)	88,802 (34,287)
87	Portugal	92,226 (35,609)	91,119 (35,181)
88	Hungary	93,028 (35,918)	89,608 (34,598)
89	South Korea	100,210 (38,690)	99,909 (38,575)
90	Iceland	103,000 (40,000)	100,250 (38,710)
91	Guatemala	108,889 (42,042)	107,159 (41,374)
92	Cuba	109,884 (42,426)	109,884 (42,426)
93	Bulgaria	111,002 (42,858)	108,612 (41,935)
94	Liberia	111,369 (43,000)	96,320 (37,190)
95	Honduras	112,492 (43,433)	111,890 (43,200)
96	Benin	114,763 (44,310)	114,305 (44,133)
97	Malawi	118,484 (45,747)	94,080 (36,320)
98	North Korea	120,540 (46,540)	120,538 (46,540)
99	Eritrea	125,000 (48,000)	125,000 (48,000)
100	Nicaragua	130,373 (50,337)	119,990 (46,330)
101	Greece	131,957 (50,949)	130,647 (50,443)
102	Tajikistan	143,100 (55,300)	141,510 (54,640)
103	Nepal	147,516 (56,956)	143,686 (55,477)
104	Bangladesh	148,460 (57,320)	134,208 (51,818)
105	Tunisia	163,610 (63,170)	155,360 (59,980)
106	Suriname	163,820 (63,250)	156,000 (60,000)
107	Uruguay	176,215 (68,037)	175,015 (67,574)
108	Cambodia	181,035 (69,898)	176,515 (68,153)
109	Syria	185,180 (71,500)	183,630 (70,900)
110	Senegal	196,722 (75,955)	192,530 (74,340)
111	Kyrgyzstan	199,951 (77,202)	191,801 (74,055)
112	Belarus	207,600 (80,200)	202,900 (78,300)
113	Guyana	214,969 (83,000)	196,849 (76,004)
114	Laos	236,800 (91,400)	230,800 (89,100)
115	Romania	238,397 (92,046)	231,291 (89,302)
116	Ghana	238,533 (92,098)	227,533 (87,851)
117	Uganda	241,550 (93,260)	197,100 (76,100)
118	United Kingdom	242,495 (93,628)	241,930 (93,410)
119	Guinea	245,857 (94,926)	245,717 (94,872)
120	Gabon	267,668 (103,347)	257,667 (99,486)
121	New Zealand	270,467 (104,428)	262,443 (101,330)
122	Burkina Faso	274,222 (105,878)	273,602 (105,638)
123	Ecuador	276,841 (106,889)	256,369 (98,985)
124	Philippines	300,000 (120,000)	298,170 (115,120)
125	Italy	301,339 (116,348)	294,140 (113,570)
126	Oman	309,500 (119,500)	309,500 (119,500)
127	Poland	312,696 (120,733)	311,888 (120,421)
128	Ivory Coast	322,463 (124,504)	318,003 (122,782)
129	Malaysia	330,803 (127,724)	329,613 (127,264)
130	Vietnam	331,212 (127,882)	310,070 (119,720)
131	Finland	338,425 (130,667)	303,816 (117,304)
132	Congo	342,000 (132,000)	341,500 (131,900)
133	Germany	357,114 (137,882)	348,672 (134,623)
134	Japan	377,976 (145,937)	364,546 (140,752)
135	Norway	385,207 (148,729)	365,957 (141,297)
136	Zimbabwe	390,757 (150,872)	386,847 (149,362)
137	Paraguay	406,752 (157,048)	397,302 (153,399)
138	Iraq	438,317 (169,235)	437,367 (168,868)
139	Morocco	446,550 (172,410)	446,300 (172,300)
140	Uzbekistan	447,400 (172,700)	425,400 (164,200)
141	Sweden	447,425 (172,752)	407,284 (157,253)
142	Papua New Guinea	462,840 (178,700)	452,860 (174,850)
143	Cameroon	475,442 (183,569)	472,710 (182,510)
144	Turkmenistan	488,100 (188,500)	469,930 (181,440)
145	Spain	505,992 (195,365)	498,980 (192,660)
146	Thailand	513,120 (198,120)	510,890 (197,260)
147	Yemen	555,000 (214,000)	555,000 (214,000)
148	Kenya	580,367 (224,081)	569,140 (219,750)
149	Botswana	581,730 (224,610)	566,730 (218,820)
150	Madagascar	587,041 (226,658)	581,540 (224,530)
151	Ukraine	603,550 (233,030)	579,300 (223,700)
152	Central African Republic	622,984 (240,535)	622,984 (240,535)
153	Somalia	637,657 (246,201)	627,337 (242,216)
154	France	640,679 (247,368)	640,427 (247,270)
155	South Sudan	644,329 (248,777)	644,329 (248,777)
156	Afghanistan	652,867 (252,073)	652,867 (252,073)
157	Myanmar	676,578 (261,228)	653,508 (252,321)
158	Zambia	752,612 (290,585)	743,398 (287,028)
159	Chile	756,102 (291,933)	743,812 (287,187)
160	Turkey	783,562 (302,535)	769,632 (297,157)
161	Mozambique	801,590 (309,500)	786,380 (303,620)
162	Namibia	825,615 (318,772)	823,290 (317,870)
163	Pakistan	881,913 (340,509)	856,690 (330,770)
164	Venezuela	916,445 (353,841)	882,050 (340,560)
165	Nigeria	923,768 (356,669)	910,768 (351,649)
166	Tanzania	945,087 (364,900)	885,800 (342,000)
167	Egypt	1,002,450 (387,050)	995,450 (384,350)
168	Mauritania	1,030,700 (398,000)	1,025,520 (395,960)
169	Bolivia	1,098,581 (424,164)	1,083,301 (418,265)
170	Ethiopia	1,104,300 (426,400)	1,096,630 (423,410)
171	Colombia	1,141,748 (440,831)	1,038,700 (401,000)
172	South Africa	1,221,037 (471,445)	1,214,470 (468,910)
173	Mali	1,240,192 (478,841)	1,220,190 (471,120)
174	Angola	1,246,700 (481,400)	1,246,700 (481,400)
175	Niger	1,267,000 (489,000)	1,266,700 (489,100)
176	Chad	1,284,000 (496,000)	1,259,200 (486,200)
177	Peru	1,285,216 (496,225)	1,279,996 (494,209)
178	Mongolia	1,564,110 (603,910)	1,553,556 (599,831)
179	Iran	1,648,195 (636,372)	1,531,595 (591,352)
180	Libya	1,759,540 (679,360)	1,759,540 (679,360)
181	Sudan	1,861,484 (718,723)	1,731,671 (668,602)
182	Indonesia	1,904,569 (735,358)	1,811,569 (699,451)
183	Mexico	1,964,375 (758,449)	1,943,945 (750,561)
184	Saudi Arabia	2,149,690 (830,000)	2,149,690 (830,000)
185	DR Congo	2,344,858 (905,355)	2,267,048 (875,312)
186	Algeria	2,381,741 (919,595)	2,381,741 (919,595)
187	Kazakhstan	2,724,900 (1,052,100)	2,699,700 (1,042,400)
188	Argentina	2,780,400 (1,073,500)	2,736,690 (1,056,640)
189	India	3,287,263 (1,269,219)	2,973,190 (1,147,960)
190	Australia	7,692,024 (2,969,907)	7,633,565 (2,947,336)
191	Brazil	8,515,767 (3,287,956)	8,460,415 (3,266,584)
192	United States	9,833,517 (3,796,742)	9,147,593 (3,531,905)
193	China	9,596,961 (3,705,407)	9,326,410 (3,600,950)
194	Canada	9,984,670 (3,855,100)	9,093,507 (3,511,023)
195	Russia	17,098,246 (6,601,670)	16,378,410 (6,323,740)

　　

Micronations Around The World

Besides the small states mentioned above, there exist many micronations around the globe that claim sovreignity or independece but are not internationally recognized as such. These nations include: Macau, Hong Kong, The Principilaity of Sealand, and Liberland.

　　

Macau, Hong Kong, And Taiwan

Macau is a special adminstrative region of China, and it spains 32 km2 making it just a little larger than the island nation of Tuvalu. A former Portuguese colony, Macau is the most densely populated place in the world, having a population of 686,607 and a density of 20,870 people/km2 Hong Kong is also a special adminstrative region of China; it covers 1,104 km2 of area and is almost twice the size of the Seychelles. At the end of the Opium wars in 1841, Hong Kong was established as a British colony for some time, and was, in WW2, occupied by Japanese forces. In 1997, Hong Kong was transferred back to China, and now has a separate economic systems than China, but stands as one of the most developed places in the world. It is also worth mentioning that Taiwan is a relatively small nation that claims independence from China, a claim that is of course heavily disputed by the PRC. There are 13 countries around the world that recognize the sovereignty of Taiwan, but with the increasing pressure and assertiveness of the PRC in regards to foreign policy, this number is not likely to increase any time soon.

　　

The Principality Of Sealand

The Principality of Sealand is a micronation located on a former World War II platform in the North Sea off the coast of England and was declared as an independent state by British pirate radio broadcaster, Paddy Roy Bates, in 1967. Despite not being officially recognized by the British government, Sealand has established itself with its own government, symbols, and currency. It is only 0.004 km2 in area, making it about the size of a football field.

　　

Liberland

Liberland is a self-proclaimed micronation founded in 2015, claiming a small piece of land on the western bank of the Danube River, an area that has been disputed by Croatia and Serbia. It bills itself as a free and sovereign state with a focus on individual freedom and limited government. However, it is not recognized as a sovereign state by any country. Its estimated total area is 7 km2, making it larger than Monaco. Despite this, it has a government, flag, national motto, and currency.

　　There are many other micornations around the world, with some not being recognized by any supernational authority, but still stand strong in their claim. These nations mentioned above are some of the most notable of them all.