What is the smallest sovereign country in the world by area?

Vatican City is the smallest sovereign country in the world by area.

The independent city-state covers about 49 hectares, or 0.49 square kilometres, and is completely surrounded by Rome, Italy. It became sovereign on 11 February 1929, when the Lateran Treaty established its relationship with Italy.

Vatican City is the headquarters of the Holy See and the spiritual centre of the Catholic Church. The pope is its head of state. Its territory includes St Peter’s Square, St Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Apostolic Palace.

Vatican City is also the world’s smallest country by population, although its residents include clergy, Swiss Guards and other officials from many nationalities. Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign state by area, while San Marino is another independent country enclosed by Italy.