Category Smallest Countries of the World

               The Gambia is the smallest country in mainland Africa, with an extent of about 330 km east to west, and less than 50 km north to south.

               It is a former British colony, forming an enclave within Senegal, a former French colony. The Gambia is one of the most densely populated countries in West Africa.

               The Gambia River, the nation’s namesake, flows through the centre of Gambia, and empties into the Atlantic Ocean.

               The Gambia achieved independence on 18th February 1965, as a constitutional monarchy within the Commonwealth, with Elizabeth II as Queen of the Gambia. But, the country is now not in the Commonwealth, as they left the organization in 2013. The Gambia’s economy is dominated by agriculture, fishing, and tourism. About two-thirds of the population is engaged in raising livestock or growing crops like rice. English is the official language of the Gambia. The capital of the country is Banjul, and the currency of the Gambia is the Dalasi.

               Jamaica, the third largest island in the Caribbean Sea, is situated west of Hispaniola, and south of Cuba, about 870 km south east of Miami. The national capital is Kingston.

               Jamaica’s landscape is mostly mountainous. Christopher Columbus, was first sighted the island in 1494.

               Jamaica became an independent state in 1962, after gaining its sovereignty from the United Kingdom. Jamaica is a parliamentary constitutional monarchy.

               Kingston is the capital city of Jamaica. The official language is Standard Jamaican English. Jamaica is known for reggae, a type of popular music created in the 1960s. The national currency is the Jamaican dollar.

               Jamaica is a member of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, Non-Aligned Movement, Organization of American States, United Nations and World Trade Organization.

               Lebanon is in the Middle East, where it borders the Mediterranean Sea to the west, and Syria to the north. Lebanon shares a border with Israel.

               Lebanon consists of a narrow strip of territory, and is one of the world’s smaller sovereign states. The capital is Beirut. Lebanon has a heterogeneous society composed of numerous ethnic, religious, and kinship groups.

               Lebanon became an independent state in 1943, after gaining its sovereignty from France. Lebanon was the site of some of the oldest human settlements in the world. Lebanon has been a member of the UN since its founding.

               The currency of Lebanon is the Lebanese pound. Lebanon has a moderate Mediterranean climate. With its high literacy rate and traditional mercantile culture, Lebanon has traditionally been an important commercial hub for the Middle East. It was the first Arab country to permit private radio and TV.

               Located in the continent of Asia, Cyprus has a total area of 9,251 square kilo-metres. Cyprus is an island country in the Eastern Mediterranean, and is the third largest and third most populous island in the Mediterranean. It is located south of Turkey.

               In 1960 Cyprus became Independent of Britain as the Republic of Cyprus. Nicosia is the capital city of Cyprus. Nicosia is also the political centre of Cyprus.

               The country has been renowned since ancient times for its mineral wealth, and natural beauty. Cyprus is a major tourist destination in the Mediterranean. The currency of the country is the Euro. The official languages are Greek and Turkish.

            Brunei, situated on the northern shore of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea, is one of the smallest yet richest states in the world.

            The country is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak. It has a population of less than 500,000.

            A British protectorate since 1888, Brunei was the only Malay state in 1963 which chose to remain so rather than join the federation that became Malaysia.

            Brunei achieved independence in 1984. Brunei’s political system is governed by the constitution and the national tradition of the Malay Islamic monarchy.

            The nation has been ruled by the same family for hundreds of years. Its ruling royals possess a huge private fortune and its largely ethnic-Malay population enjoys generous state handouts and pays no taxes.

            Brunei is a member of the Commonwealth and ASEAN. The capital of Brunei is Bandar Seri Begawan. The official language of Brunei is Standard Malay. The currency is the Brunei dollar.

               Vatican City is the world’s smallest fully independent nation-state. It is also the smallest by population. Situated on the western bank of the Tiber River, the Vatican City’s 3.2 kilometre border is landlocked by Italy.

               The Vatican City has served as the official home of the pope of the Catholic Church since 1377. However, Vatican City was not declared an independent state until the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which created the independent state of Vatican City for the Catholic Church. Today, nearly 75 per cent of the Vatican’s citizens are members of the clergy.

               Along with the centuries-old buildings and gardens, the Vatican maintains its own banking and telephone systems, post office, pharmacy, newspaper, and radio and television stations. Its 600 citizens include the members of the Swiss Guard, a security detail charged with protecting the pope since 1506.

               The most significant building in Vatican City is St. Peter’s Basilica. The church is built on Vatican Hill, across the Tiber River from the historic centre of Rome. This was the site where Saint Peter, the chief apostle, died a martyr, and where he was buried in AD 64.

               It is the Italian language that is used by most of those located within the state; however the official documents are written in Latin.