TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Countries in the world can be ranked based on area and population. The territorial area of a country refers to how much territory (both land and water) is covered by that country's borders.

Reporting from worldpopulationreview.com, some of the largest countries globally are Russia (6.59 million square miles), Canada (3.85 million square miles), and China (3.75 million square miles). So, which are the smallest countries in the world? The following is a list of the five smallest countries in the world according to worldpopulationreview.com:

1. Vatican City - 0.49 km²/0.17 mi²

This country was founded in 1929 after the Lateran Treaty with Italy. The type of government is ecclesiastical and the head of state is actually the Pope. Vatican City is not a member of the United Nations by choice. The population is about 1,000 residents and none of them are permanent residents.

2. Monaco - 2 km²/0.78 mi²

It is located between southeastern France and the Mediterranean Sea and has one official city—Monte Carlo—which is both the capital. The country has an estimated population of 39,000

3. Nauru - 20 km²/8.1 mi²

Nauru is a small island country located in the South Pacific Ocean in the Oceania region. Nauru is the smallest island nation in the world with an area of just 8.5 square miles and a population of about 11,000 people. Nauru was previously called Pleasant Island and became independent from Australia in 1968. This small country does not have an official capital.

4. Tuvalu - 30 km²/11.6 mi²

Tuvalu is a small country in Oceania consisting of nine islands. Six of these have lagoons open to the sea, while two have significant non-coastal land areas and one has no lagoon.

None of the Tuvalu Islands have rivers because they are coral atolls, there is no drinkable groundwater. Therefore, all the water used by the people of Tuvalu is collected through catchment systems and stored in storage facilities.

5. San Marino - 60 km²/24 mi²

San Marino is landlocked in Italy. It is located on Mount Titano in north-central Italy and is home to 34,232 residents. The country claims to be the oldest country in Europe, having been founded in the fourth century.

NOVITA ANDRIAN

Editor's Choice: The 10 Largest Countries in the World

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