Where the Vatican's power lies in religion, plenty of spending power is held by the tiny country of Monaco, the second smallest country on Earth. Situated along the French Riviera, Monaco is surrounded entirely by France—but it also sits fewer than 10 miles from the Italian border.
The three smallest countries in the world are Vatican City, an enclave within Rome, Italy. Monaco, a principality at the Mediterranean coast and an enclave within Southern France, and Nauru, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
The smallest country in the world is Vatican City, with a landmass of just 0.49 square kilometers (0.19 square miles). Vatican City is an independent state surrounded by Rome. Vatican City is not the only small country located inside Italy.
With the rise of nation states worldwide, only a few modern sovereign city-states exist, with some disagreement as to which qualify; Monaco, Singapore and Vatican City are most commonly accepted as such.
South Sudan gained independence from Sudan in 2011 after years of civil war, but violence continues to ravage the world's newest country. Civil War erupted in South Sudan in 2013 and continues today, as political leaders from different ethnic groups vie for power.
There are 195 countries in the world today. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
Vatican City has no airport, but has Vatican City Heliport in the western corner, which is used by visiting heads and Vatican officials. It would be physically impossible to fit an airport into the 0.44 km2 (0.17 sq mi) land area of the Holy See.
Vatican City, in Rome, Italy, is the world's smallest country by population in 2022. Vatican's population is only about 800 residents. It's also the smallest country in terms of total square miles.
In Icelandic folklore, the shortest night of the year is an enchanted time when cows talk, seals turn into humans, and elves and trolls venture down from the mountains.
Australia, the smallest continent and one of the largest countries on Earth, lying between the Pacific and Indian oceans in the Southern Hemisphere. Australia's capital is Canberra, located in the southeast between the larger and more important economic and cultural centres of Sydney and Melbourne.
