1. Vatican, 0.44 sq.
The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, surrounded by the city of Rome. This small country covers an area of only 100 acres. The Vatican is also known as the Holy See.
The Vatican is also the least populous country in the world, with only 842 inhabitants. St. Peter’s Basilica is the largest Catholic church in the world, also located in the Vatican.
The Vatican is a monarchical state headed by the Bishop of Rome. The railroad tracks in the Vatican are only about 1.27 kilometers long and it is the shortest rail network in the world. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel are the main attractions of the Vatican. This small country attracts over 4 million visitors every year.
The Vatican was not so small until the unification of Italy in 1870. The Papal States in the Italian peninsula were ruled by popes for over a century (from 700 to 1870). At that time, these territories occupied more than 44,000 square kilometers. But after the unification of Italy in 1870, most of the papal states became part of Italy. It was a Lateran treat. An agreement between the Kingdom of Italy and the Holy See made the Vatican an independent country on February 11, 1929.