1.Vatican City - 0.2 square miles - The world's smallest state,
the Vatican has a population of 770,
none of whom are permanent residents. The tiny country which
surrounds St. Peter's
Basilica is the spiritual center for the world's Roman Catholics
(over 1 billion strong).
Also known as the Holy See, Vatican City is surrounded by Rome,
Italy.
2.Monaco - 0.7 square miles - The tiny state of Monaco lies along
the French Riviera on the
French Mediterranean coast near Nice. An impressive 32,000
people live
in this state known for its Monte Carlo casinos and Princess
Grace. It has been
independent off-and-on since the 13th century.
3.Nauru - 8.5 square miles - The 13,000 residents of the Pacific
island Nauru rely
on diminishing phosphate deposits. The state became independent
in 1968
and was formerly known as Pleasant Island.
4.Tuvalu - 9 square miles - Tuvalu is composed of 9 coral atolls
along a 360 mile
chain in Polynesia. They gained independence in 1978. The former
Ellice Islands are home to 12,000.
5.San Marino - 24 square miles - Located on Mt. Titano in north
central Italy, San Marino has
29,000 residents. The country claims to be the oldest state in
Europe,
having been founded in the fourth century.
6.Liechtenstein - 62 square miles - This microstate of 34,000 is
located on the Rhine
River between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps.
7.Marshall Islands - 70 square miles - The atolls (including the
world's largest, Kwajalein), reefs,
and 34 islands (population 58,000) gained independence in 1986;
they were formerly part of
the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (and administered by the
United States).
8.Saint Kitts and Nevis - 104 square miles - This Caribbean
country of 39,000 gained independence
in 1983. Nevis is the smaller island of the two and is guaranteed
the right to secede.
9.Seychelles - 107 square miles - The 81,000 residents of this
Indian Ocean island group
have been independent of the United Kingdom since 1976.
10.Maldives - 115 square miles - Only 200 of the 2000 Indian
Ocean islands which make up this
country are occupied by 340,000 residents. The islands gained
independence from the U.K. in 1965