The three smallest countries in the world are Vatican City, an enclave within Rome, Italy. Monaco, a principality at the Mediterranean coast and an enclave within Southern France, and Nauru, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
The largest country in the world is Russia with a total area of 17,098,242 Km² (6,601,665 mi²) and a land area of 16,376,870 Km² (6,323,142 mi²), equivalent to 11% of the total world's landmass of 148,940,000 Km² (57,510,000 square miles). See also: Most Populous Countries.
Switzerland is the best country in the world for 2022.
The three largest sovereign countries by surface area are Russia, Canada, and the United States. Together they occupy roughly a quarter of Earth's landmass. Other heavyweights in size are China, Brazil, Australia, India, Argentina and Kazakhstan.
825 is the population of Vatican City.
Vatican city is the least populated country in the world with a population of just over 800 persons. Vatican City is the world's smallest fully independent nation-state.
United States. The United States of America is a North American nation that is the world's most dominant economic and military power. Likewise, its cultural imprint spans the world, led in large part by its popular culture expressed in music, movies and television.
The Vatican is the big little winner. Then comes Monaco, San Marino, Liechtenstein and finally, Andorra. Luxemburg is Europe's next smallest country. Small as it is, it would easily fit all five microstates within its borders.
Niue, Norfolk Island, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Montserrat, Cook Islands, Nauru, Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna, Republic of Palau, and Anguilla were among the top 10 least populous countries in the world in 2021. With a population of 1,610 people in 2021, Niue was the least populated country in the world.
The five most populous countries in 2022 are China, India, followed by the European Union (which is not a country), the United States, the island nation of Indonesia, and Pakistan.
Countries in the World:
There are 195 countries in the world today. This total comprises 193 countries that are member states of the United Nations and 2 countries that are non-member observer states: the Holy See and the State of Palestine.
China is currently the most populous country in the world, with a population estimated at more than 1.42 billion as of September 2022. Only one other country in the world boasts a population of more than 1 billion people: India, whose population is estimated to be 1.41 billion people—and rising.
Republic of Molossia has only 32 people. Republic of Molossia, a self-proclaimed nation in the US state of Nevada, has a total population of 32.
China has the largest population in the world followed by India, the United States, Indonesia and Pakistan. Fourteen (14) countries have populations greater than 100 million. Ninety one (91) countries have populations greater than 10 million.
Australia is the planet's sixth largest country after Russia, Canada, China, the USA, and Brazil.
Russia is the third most powerful country in the world, with a large military and a significant economic and cultural influence.