Europe has a territorial extension of 10.3 million square kilometers, being divided into 50 countries. Many countries on this continent have an area smaller than several states in Brazil. Some of these nations are called mini-states, as they have small territorial extensions and reduced population contingents.
Monaco, Andorra, San Marino, Malta, Liechtenstein and the Vatican are the smallest and least populated European countries. The Vatican, for example, is the smallest country in the world, with an area of just 0.44 km². Andorra, the largest of these mini-states, has a territorial extension of 470 km², corresponding to less than a third of the city of São Paulo (1,523 km²). A common feature among these countries is overpopulation, with the highest demographic densities (relative population) on the planet.
Despite having a small area, these countries have a high rate of economic and social development. The inhabitants of these small countries in Europe enjoy an excellent standard of living.
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Tourism is quite intense in these nations, especially in the Vatican (home of the Roman Catholic Church), Andorra (ski resorts), Monaco and San Marino. Liechtenstein stands out for its industrial activity; Malta, in turn, has an economy based on the industrial sector and financial services.
Geographical data of small European countries:
Andorra
Territorial extension: 470 km².
Population: 80,153 inhabitants.
Demographic density: 171 inhab/km².
Liechtenstein
Territorial extension: 160 km².
Population: 37,194 inhabitants.
Demographic density: 232 inhabitants/km².
Malta
Territorial extension: 320 km².
Population: 430,146 inhabitants.
Demographic density: 1,344 inhab/km².
monaco
Territorial extension: 2 km².
Population: 38,066 inhabitants.
Demographic density: 19,033 inhab/km².
San Marino
Territorial extension: 60 km².
Population: 31,637 inhabitants.
Demographic density: 527 inhab/km².
Vatican
Territorial extension: 0.44 km².
Population: 990 inhabitants.
Demographic density: 1.89 inhab/km².
By Wagner de Cerqueira and Francisco
Graduated in Geography
Brazil School Team
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¹ Data removed from the portal IBGE - Countries@, referring to the year 2014.
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
FRANCISCO, Wagner de Cerqueira e. "Small European countries"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/pequenos-paises-europeus.htm. Accessed on June 28, 2021.