From Vatican to Tuvalu: World’s smallest countries with the biggest surprises

Think size matters? Think again! Some of the world’s tiniest nations pack more surprises than countries a hundred times their size. From a country where the Pope is also a head of state to an island where you might run into the prime minister at the grocery store, these small but mighty nations prove that big things come in small packages.

With just 0.49 square kilometers, Vatican City is smaller than most shopping malls. But don’t let its size fool you—it houses St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the most breathtaking churches in the world, and the Sistine Chapel, where Michelangelo’s famous frescoes attract millions of visitors. Oh, and it has its own postal system, bank, and even an ATM in Latin!

Monaco is the second smallest country but possibly the flashiest. Here, you’ll find more millionaires per square meter than anywhere else, a Formula 1 Grand Prix that zooms through the streets, and a casino so glamorous that it inspired James Bond movies. Yet, funnily enough, Monaco’s residents aren’t allowed to gamble in their own casino!

This Pacific island nation is so tiny that it doesn’t even have a capital city—just a handful of villages! Once one of the richest countries due to phosphate mining, Nauru has had a rollercoaster of an economy. With no public transport, you can walk around the entire country in under a day!

San Marino, the world’s oldest republic (founded in 301 AD!), is a tiny landlocked country within Italy. While it looks like a medieval fairy tale, it has one of Europe’s lowest unemployment rates and no national debt. Also, fun fact: it has more cars than people!

Tuvalu might be one of the least visited nations, but it hit the jackpot with the .tv domain. Thanks to the rise of streaming platforms, this little nation makes millions from leasing its country code domain to websites worldwide. The downside? It’s sinking fast due to climate change, so visit before it’s too late!
From floating economies to high-speed luxury, these tiny countries prove that size isn’t everything—unless you’re trying to fit them on a map!