Which is the Smallest Country in the world?
VerifiedAnswer: Vatican City
Explanation:
Vatican City holds the distinction of being the smallest country in the world by both land area and population. This tiny nation covers just 0.17 square miles (0.44 square kilometers), making it roughly one-eighth the size of New York's Central Park! To put this in perspective, you could walk across the entire country in about 20 minutes.
Located entirely within Rome, Italy, Vatican City is what geographers call an "enclave" - a country completely surrounded by another country. It became an independent state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty signed between Pope Pius XI and Italian leader Benito Mussolini. The country serves as the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, which has over 1.3 billion followers worldwide.
The population of Vatican City fluctuates around 800 people, with only about 450 holding Vatican citizenship. The Pope serves as an absolute monarch, making Vatican City one of the last remaining absolute monarchies in the world. Citizens include cardinals, members of the Swiss Guard (the Pope's personal security force), and various clergy and officials.
Despite its tiny size, Vatican City houses some of the world's most famous landmarks and treasures:
• St. Peter's Basilica - one of the largest churches in the world • The Sistine Chapel - famous for Michelangelo's ceiling and as the site where new Popes are elected • Vatican Museums - containing priceless art collections spanning centuries • The Apostolic Palace - the Pope's official residence
Vatican City has its own postal system, telephone system, and even issues its own euros (though it uses the European currency). The country is so small that it doesn't have room for an airport - visitors must enter through Italy. Interestingly, Vatican City has the highest crime rate per capita in the world, but this is simply because millions of tourists visit each year, and petty crimes like pickpocketing are calculated against the tiny resident population!
The second smallest country is Monaco at 0.78 square miles, making Vatican City nearly five times smaller than its closest competitor. This remarkable little nation proves that size doesn't determine importance - Vatican City wields significant global influence through its spiritual leadership and rich cultural heritage.
