Some countries on the Earth are so small that one can easily place them on the territory of a small administrative district of Moscow.

1. The Vatican — 0, 44 square km 

The world’s smallest state — the Vatican — is the papal and Catholic clergy residence. The total area of this tiny country is only 0, 44 square km and its border length is only 3,2 km. By the way, the Vatican is one of the least populated states in the world. It has a population of 826 people (according to the data of 2009).

2. Monaco — 1, 95 square km

The tiny state of Monaco lies on the Mediterranean coast and borders only France. Its size is just 1,95 square km and border length is 4,4 km. Despite the small territory it is believed to be one of the world’s most populous countries with an estimated population of 32,965 (according to CIA The World Factbook). In other words, this tiny principality’s density of population is almost 150 times as much as the population of neighbouring France.

3. Gibraltar — 6,5 square km

Gibraltar is a British overseas territory located on the southern end of the Iberian Peninsula. It is a rocky cape connected with the land by a sandy neck. Gibraltar’s territory covers 6,5 square km with the population of approximately 28,000 people. Its land border with the only neighbouring country — Spain — is 1,2 km. Gibraltar is the only place in Europe to be home for Barbary Macaques. It is the only species of wild monkeys found outside Asia.

4. Tokelau — 10 square km

Tokelau is a non-self-governing territory of New Zealand that consists of three coral atolls in the South Pacific Ocean: Atafu, Nukunonu and Fakaofo with the total area of 10 square km. The fact that Tokelau has fewer than 1,500 habitants makes it to be one of the least populated countries.

5. Cocos (Keeling) Islands — 14 square km

The Territory of Cocos (Keeling) Islands is a territory of Australia, located in the Indian Ocean. These islands comprise twenty-seven small coral islands. Covering just 14 square km it is believed to be one of the least world’s populated countries with a population of only 596.

6. Nauru — 21 square km

Republic of Nauru is located on the Pacific island Nauru. It is believed to be the world’s tiniest independent republic outside Europe. Covering just 21 square km it has a population of approximately 14,000 (according to the data of the year 2009).

7. Tuvalu — 26 square km

Tuvalu, a Polynesian island, is located in the South West of the Pacific Ocean. The state is composed of 9 coral atolls with the area of 26 square km. The total amount of habitants is 12,000. To the east Tuvalu borders territorial waters of another tiny country — Tokelau.

8. Macau (Macao) — 28,2 square km

The Macau Special Administrative Region (Aomen) is one of the two special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China. Macau was a Portuguese colony until December 20, 1999. It comprises the territory of only 28,2 square km. Due to the fact that it has a population of 559,846 (according to the data of 2009), Macau is considered to be the world’s most densely populated region: a population density is 18 428 persons per square km. Its border length with China is only 0,34 km.

9. Norfolk Island — 34,6 square km

Norfolk Island is one of the external territories of Australia. It’s a small island in the Pacific Ocean located between Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. The island’s territory covers 6,5 square km with the population of only 2141 people. Due to these facts, Norfolk Island is not only one of the world’s smallest countries, but also one of the most underpopulated.

10. The Pitcairn Islands — 47 square km

The Pitcairn Islands comprise the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands, located in the southern Pacific Ocean. These islands are ones of the most underpopulated: there are only 48 inhabitants. The total area is 47 square km.