Some of the world’s least populated countries are destinations that are well worth visiting.
The world’s population reached eight billion people in November last year.
This has serious effects for the planet which is already under huge strain, struggling to maintain the needs of the global population.
LOW POPULATIONS
Here we take a look at the countries and states that have the smallest populations on the planet.
Some of the smallest countries in the world are extremely crowded urban areas with high-density living conditions while others are far-flung remote tropical paradises.
LEAST-POPULATED COUNTRIES:
Get ready to take a journey of discovery, looking at the smallest countries in the world, according to population size.
1. Vatican City
The Vatican City with a population of 510 people, is the smallest country in the world both by size (109 acres) and population.
Though thousands of people visit and work there every day, the permanent residents of the Vatican are only a few hundred people. The whole country is surrounded by a wall and is located inside Italy’s capital city, Rome.
Despite being so small, the Vatican City has global influence as the center of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the residence of the Pope.
2. Tuvalu
This island archipelago has a population of 11 312 people. Tuvalu is located in the Pacific Ocean and consists of nine coral islands. Tuvalu is one of the most remote countries on Earth. The total land area of the country is only about 10 square miles.
The country doesn’t have much land to produce crops so most things must be imported. This makes living there quite expensive.
Most of Tuvalu lies just above sea level. Global warming and rising sea levels are a genuine concern for this small nation.
3. Nauru
Nauru is also a remote Pacific Island nation. Its population of 12 688 people lives on just one island.
Nauru is the least-visited country on Earth. Other than its own population, there are only about 15,000 people on the planet who have ever been there. One of these was Queen Elizabeth II, who included this island on one of her official tours.
Nauru had an abundance of phosphate resources which lasted for about 100 years before being depleted in the 1990s. As a result, the island’s economy collapsed and most of the population became unemployed.
4. Cook Islands
This island country with a population of 15 040 people is located in the South Pacific Ocean. It has 15 islands and a total land area of 93 square miles.
The Cook Islands were named after British sea captain James Cook, who explored the islands in the late 18th century. The Cook Islands are a popular destination for tourists, with nearly 170 000 tourists visiting each year.
The Cook Islands have a free association agreement with New Zealand and many of their residents hold dual citizenship.
5. Palau
Yet another Pacific Ocean island nation. Palau has a population of 18 055 people spread out over about 340 islands covering about 180 square miles.
Palau shares maritime boundaries with Indonesia and the Philippines. Many people speak English but the main language is Palauan, which is related to some of the languages of the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
Palau’s economy is built on farming, tourism, and fishing. The islands have a lot of unique marine life that has been well-conserved.
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6. San Marino
This small independent country located inside of Italy has a population 33 660 people.
In the 1800s when Italy was unifying, many people who were opposed to unification fled to San Marino, which was in a hilly location and easily defensible from attack. Instead of trying to force people into Italy, the authorities solved the problem by signing a treaty in 1862 granting independence to the people of San Marino.
Today the country is well-developed and has a high standard of living. San Marino’s architecture is one of its most attractive features for tourists. The medieval historic downtown area of the capital is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
7. Monaco
This world-famous city-state located on the French Riviera is one of the world’s smallest countries by population, with only 36 469 citizens.
Monaco is the most densely populated country in the world. Residents are crammed into 499 acres of land. This micro-country also receives nearly 160 000 visitors every year.
Monaco has a global reputation as the playground of the ultra-rich from all over the world. It is the place to see and to be seen attracting celebrities, politicians, business tycoons, and royalty. French, Italian, and English are all widely spoken.
8. Liechtenstein
This tiny landlocked country which borders Switzerland and Austria has a population of 39 327. The people of Liechtenstein enjoy a high standard of living. The country has a strong economy, based on banking, manufacturing, and tourism.
German is its official language, but English and French are also widely spoken.
9. Marshall Islands
This country in the Pacific Ocean has a population of 41 569 people. The country consists of five islands and 29 coral atolls.
Although the Marshall Islands boast priceless natural beauty and pristine marine habitat, they have few exportable natural resources. The economy depends largely on foreign aid.
Some of the agricultural crops which are produced there include coconuts, tomatoes, melons, taro, breadfruit, fruits, pigs, and chickens. The islands earn money from manufacturing copra and craft items, tuna processing, and tourism.
10. Saint Kitts and Nevis
This country located in the Caribbean has a population of 47 657 people spread over two islands.
The total land area of both islands is 101 square miles. In terms of both population and land area, Saint Kitts and Nevis is the smallest country in the Western Hemisphere. The country is the most recent country in the Hemisphere to gain its independence from Britain (1983).
According to A-Z Animals, local culture shares influences from Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Music, dance, storytelling, and cuisine are all part of the unique cultural fusion on each island.
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