10 Smallest Countries In Europe

Europe is famous for its giants, but some of its most charming corners are tiny states you could cross in an afternoon. From Vatican City, smaller than many farms, to mountain principalities like Liechtenstein, these microstates pack a lot into very little. Here are the ten smallest countries in Europe.

The following is a list of the smallest independent countries in Europe by area, some of which are known as the European microstates (or ministates). A microstate is usually a small independent state that is recognized by larger states. This list does not include, for instance, Northern Cyprus – which is an unrecognized country, or Kosovo which is only partially recognized. The list also doesn’t include Gibraltar which is a British Overseas Territory rather than an independent state   1. Vatican City – 0.44 km² (0.17 mi²) – The Vatican City State was formally established by the Lateran Treaty of 1929 between the Pope and the government of Mussolini. Located within Rome, the smallest state in Europe has a population of just over 800 people

  2. Monaco – 2.02 km² (0.78 mi²) – The Principality of Monaco achieved full independence from France in 1860. It is situated in French Riviera, on the Mediterranean Sea and has a population of around 35,000. Apart then being the second smallest state in Europe (and the world), Monaco is also the most densely populated country in the world   3. San Marino – 61 km² (24 mi²) – The republic of San Marino is an enclave within Italy and has a population of around 30,000 people. San Marino proudly claims to be the oldest surviving sovereign state in the world with the continuation of the monastic community that gained independence from the Roman Empire in the September 301! 4. Liechtenstein, 160 km² (62 mi²) – The Principality of Liechtenstein is located between Switzerland and Austria and has a population of over 35,000. It is an independent state since the 19th century   5. Malta – 316 km² (122 mi²) – Malta is an archipelago of 7 islands in the Mediterranean Sea and has a population of under 500,000. Malta gained its independence from the UK in 1964. Valletta is the capital   6. Andorra – 468 km² (181 mi²) – Located in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, the Principality of Andorra has a population of under 100,000 and has been independent since 1278! The capital of Andorra is Andorra la Vella   7. Luxembourg – 2,586 km² (998 mi²) – Located between Germany, France and Belgium, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg has been independent since 1815, when it gained its independence from the French Empire in the Treaty of Paris. Luxembourg has a population of over 500,000. Luxembourg City is the capital and largest city of Luxembourg   8. Cyprus – 9,251 km² (3,572 mi²) – This island country is located in the Mediterranean and has a population of around 1,000,000. Independent since 1960. Nicosia is the capital and largest city 9. Montenegro – 13,812 km² (5,333 mi²) – The small state of Montenegro has borders with not less than 4 countries: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Albania and Croatia. It has a population of around 600,000   10. Iceland – 103,000 km² (40,000 mi²) – Iceland, “the land of fire and ice”, is another island country. It has a small population of just over 300,000. The capital of Iceland is Reykjavik

For more on the continent, see the largest countries in Europe, the most famous monuments in Europe, and the most visited countries.

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