The world’s ten smallest countries in terms of area fall into two general categories: European microstates (Liechtenstein,Malta,Monaco,San Marino, and theVatican) and small island nations of the Indian Ocean, Pacific, and Caribbean (Maldives,Marshall Islands,Nauru,St. Kitts and Nevis, andTuvalu.) Some of these countries are quite new as independent nations: Tuvalu gained independence from the UK in 1978, while the Marshall Islands gained full independence from the US in 1986. Others have been around for a very long time. San Marino dates its founding as a republic to 301. These countries vary greatly from one another along other axes as well: population, income, life expectancy, industry, tourist facilities, and membership in various international organizations.

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[Image of Tuvalu: Flickr |leighblackall]