Small and Sovereign

Last month’s Russia-Georgia conflict brought into focus Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two breakaway provinces that seek independence from Georgia. If they were to have their way, these two would have been among the smallest countries in the world. Or would they have been? Abkhazia has an area of 8600 sq km and S. Ossetia has 3,900 sq km. That makes them look like giants on this list of the world’s smallest countries, each of which contains has an area of less than 520 square km

Liechtenstein:

Between Switzerland and Austria, this state of 34,000 residents has an area of 160 square km.

Vatican City:

With an area of 0.52 square km and a population of 770, the world’s smallest state has no permanent residents. The tiny country surrounds St. Peter’s Basilica and is the spiritual centre for the world’s Roman Catholics. It is surrounded by Rome, Italy.

San Marino:

This country, which claims to be the oldest in Europe, is spread over 62 sq km. It’s on Mt. Titano in north central Italy and has 29,000 residents.

Monaco:

This state that spreads over 1.81 sq km lies along the French Riviera on the French Mediterranean coast near Nice. 32,000 people live here.

Maldives:

2,000 Indian Ocean islands make up this country that’s spread over 297 square km. The 3,40,000 residents are spread over only 200 of these islands.

Seychelles:

The 81,000 residents of this Indian Ocean island are spread over 277 square km

Saint Kitts and Nevis:

This Caribbean country has an area of 269 sq km. Nevis is the smaller island of the two and is guaranteed the right to secede.

Marshall Islands:

The world’s largest atoll, Kwajalein, reefs, and 34 islands together form the Marshall Islands that spread over 181 sq km and has a population 58,000. They were formerly under US administration but gained independence in 1986.

Tuvalu:

Nine coral atolls make up these islands spread over 23 sq km in Polynesia. Population: 12,000

Nauru:

Formerly known Pleasant Island, this 22 square km of land in the Pacific Ocean has 13,000 residents.

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