Which is the smallest country in the world?

Vatican City is recognized as the smallest country in the world, both in terms of area and population. It occupies a mere 44 hectares (about 110 acres) and is an independent city-state surrounded by Rome, Italy. Established in 1929, Vatican City serves as the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church and is the residence of the Pope.

In comparison, while Monaco, San Marino, and Liechtenstein are also small countries, they are considerably larger than Vatican City. Monaco is known for its luxury and is approximately 2 square kilometers in size, making it the second smallest. San Marino and Liechtenstein are both larger still, with San Marino being around 61 square kilometers and Liechtenstein approximately 160 square kilometers. Thus, Vatican City holds the title of the smallest independent sovereign nation in the world.