Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Vatican City
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
Questions on extremes such as largest and smallest countries, longest rivers, and highest mountains are standard in general knowledge sections. Here, the focus is on the smallest independent country in the world in terms of land area. This tiny country is unique because it is located entirely within a city of another country and has great religious significance.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Canada and Australia are both very large countries by area and can be eliminated immediately. Maldives is a small island nation in the Indian Ocean, but it still has a much larger area than the smallest microstate. Vatican City is an independent city state within Rome, Italy, and is widely known as the smallest country in the world by both area and population.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Verification / Alternative check:
Standard geography references and world fact books list Vatican City at the very top when ranking countries by smallest area. It covers less than one square kilometre and is the spiritual and administrative centre of the Roman Catholic Church. This confirms its status as the smallest independent state.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Canada is the second largest country in the world by area and therefore clearly not the smallest.
Australia is also one of the largest countries and continents, far from being the smallest.
Maldives is a small nation but still many times larger than Vatican City. It cannot compete with Vatican City in terms of minimal land area.
Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may confuse the smallest country with the smallest island nation and pick Maldives. Remember that the smallest country by area is a landlocked city state inside another country, not a scattered island group.
Final Answer:
The smallest independent country in the world by area is Vatican City.
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