The Smallest Countries by Land Area on Each Continent
If you insist, I’ll tell my friends George, Mildred, Steve, Tony, and Grizelda about this quiz. However, to be honest, I’d have to look at Google Maps to get a reliable answer. Let's explore which countries are the smallest by land area on each continent, and understand a bit more about them.
Africa: Djibouti – A Small Landlocked Country
Africa, a vast and diverse continent, includes some of the smallest countries by land area. Among them, Djibouti stands out as a geographically compact nation. Despite being landlocked, it covers a mere 23,200 square kilometers (8,958 square miles), making it the 113th largest country in the world.
Asia: Singapore – A Nation Made of Islands
In Asia, Singapore is, by many standards, the smallest landlocked country. This city-state, spanning a mere 726.3 square kilometers (280.7 square miles), consists of one main island and 63 smaller islets. While it is predominantly an island, it competes with the smallest landlocked country Bhutan for the title of the smallest in Asia.
Europe: Vatican City – The Smallest Country in the World
Europe's smallest country, Vatican City, is a microstate that encapsulates the heart of Roman Catholicism. At just 0.44 km2 (110 acres) in size, it is enclaved within Rome, Italy, and is known for being the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church. It is indeed the smallest internationally recognized independent state.
North America: St. Kitts and Nevis – A Tiny Caribbean Nation
In North America, the most prominent tiny nation is St. Kitts and Nevis. This island nation encompasses the islands of St. Kitts and Nevis, located in the eastern Caribbean Sea. The total land area is approximately 261 square kilometers (101 square miles), making it one of the smallest countries in the world.
Oceania: Nauru – A Tiny Island Nation
Oceania is home to Nauru, a tiny island nation in the South Pacific. Spanning 21 square kilometers (8.1 square miles), it is one of the smallest countries in the world. Astonishingly, Nauru has the highest percentage of obese citizens, rivaling only the tiny nation of Tonga.
South America: Suriname – A Tiny Country on the Mainland
South America is home to the small nation of Suriname, which is located on the mainland between Guyana, Brazil, and French Guiana. The country has an area of 163,270 square kilometers (63,000 square miles), yet it is considered one of the smallest countries in the region.
Antarctica – An Exception
A noteworthy exception is Antarctica, the southernmost continent, which contains no countries, under any factual control. Despite this, the land area is incredibly vast, spanning a total of 14 million square kilometers (5.4 million square miles).
These countries, though small, are significant in their roles and histories. Whether it's the spiritual center of a global religion, a bustling city-state, a tiny island nation, or a small island country, each has its unique story and contributes to the rich tapestry of the world's diverse geography.
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