World Facts — Smallest Country by Area Which country is recognized as the world’s smallest sovereign state by land area and population?

Introduction / Context:
General knowledge exams frequently test superlatives in geography. One of the most common is identifying the smallest sovereign state in the world, which requires distinguishing between microstates, territories, and large countries with vast land areas.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Options include several very large nations and one microstate.
• The criterion is the smallest independent country by area (and effectively also by resident population).
• We consider internationally recognized sovereignty.

Concept / Approach:

The Holy See (Vatican City State) is an independent enclave within Rome, Italy. With an area of roughly 0.44 km^2 and a population measured in the hundreds to low thousands (including clergy and residents), it is smaller than other microstates such as Monaco, Nauru, or Tuvalu. In contrast, Russia, Canada, and Brazil are among the largest countries on Earth by area and population, making them obvious distractors.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Compare the scale of each listed country.Identify Vatican City as a microstate and sovereign entity.Confirm that all other options are continental-scale states.Select the only plausible smallest country.

Verification / Alternative check:

Encyclopedic references and political maps consistently list Vatican City as the smallest sovereign country in both area and population metrics.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

Russia, Canada, Brazil: All are top-ten by area; none are small.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing “city” with “city-state.” Vatican City is fully sovereign and distinct from Rome/Italy, unlike non-sovereign cities elsewhere.

Final Answer:

Vatican city