The smallest countries

[1]
VATICAN CITY
Area 0.2 square miles
Population 770
The world's smallest state. No one is permanent resident Vatican.
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
Area 0.7 square miles
Population 32000
The tiny state of Monaco lies along the French Riviera on the French Mediterranean coast near Nice. This state is known for its Monte Carlo casinos and Princess Grace.
It has been independent off-and-on since the thirteenth century.

[3]
NAURA
Area 8.5 square miles
Population 13,000
The 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
Area 9 square miles.
Population 12,000
Tuvalu is composed of 9 coral atolls along a 360 mile chain in Polynesia. They gained independence in 1978. The former name Ellice Islands.

[5]
SAN MARINO
Area 24 square miles.
Population 29,000
Located on Mt. Titano in north central Italy, San Marino claims to be the oldest state in Europe, having been founded in the fourth century.

[6]
LIECHTENSTEIN
Area 62 square miles
pOPULATION 34,000
This microstate IS located on the Rhine River between Switzerland and Austria in the Alps.

[7]
Marshall Islands:
Area 70 square miles
Population 58,000
The atolls (including the world's largest, Kwajalein), reefs, and 34 islands 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
Area 104 square miles
Population 39,000
This Caribbean country gained independence in 1983. Nevis is the smaller island of the two and is guaranteed the right to secede.

[9]
SEYCHELLES
Area 107 square miles
Population 81,000
One of the Indian Ocean island group
It has been independent of the United Kingdom since 1976.

[10] MALDIVES
Area 115 square miles
Population 340,000
200 of the some 2000 Indian Ocean islands makes up this country.
The islands gained independence from the U.K. in 1965