# Microstate

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Sovereign state having a very small population or very small land area

For the specific configuration of particles of a material in [statistical mechanics](/source/Statistical_mechanics), see [Microstate (statistical mechanics)](/source/Microstate_(statistical_mechanics)).

Not to be confused with [Micronation](/source/Micronation).

The world's five smallest sovereign states by area, from largest to smallest: [San Marino](/source/San_Marino), [Tuvalu](/source/Tuvalu), [Nauru](/source/Nauru), [Monaco](/source/Monaco), and [Vatican City](/source/Vatican_City) shown in the same scale for size comparison

Map of the smallest states in the world by population or land area

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A **microstate** or **ministate** is a [sovereign state](/source/Sovereign_state) having a very small population or land area, usually both. However, the meanings of "state" and "very small" are not well-defined in international law.[1] Some recent attempts to define microstates have focused on identifying qualitative features that are linked to their size and population, such as partial delegation of their [sovereignty](/source/Sovereignty) to larger states, such as for international defense.

Commonly accepted examples of microstates include five historic European microstates: [Andorra](/source/Andorra), [Liechtenstein](/source/Liechtenstein), [Monaco](/source/Monaco), [San Marino](/source/San_Marino), and [Vatican City](/source/Vatican_City). [Malta](/source/Malta) and [Luxembourg](/source/Luxembourg) are sometimes included in that list but are generally considered too populous to be genuine microstates. Other examples are small, isolated island states in the Pacific Ocean such as [Nauru](/source/Nauru), [Palau](/source/Palau), [Niue](/source/Niue), [Cook Islands](/source/Cook_Islands) and [Tuvalu](/source/Tuvalu). Some small [Caribbean](/source/Caribbean) countries such as [Saint Kitts and Nevis](/source/Saint_Kitts_and_Nevis), [Barbados](/source/Barbados), [Antigua and Barbuda](/source/Antigua_and_Barbuda), [Grenada](/source/Grenada), [Saint Vincent and the Grenadines](/source/Saint_Vincent_and_the_Grenadines) may be considered microstates by some but are often not included due to them being grouped together as small [island countries](/source/Island_country). [Singapore](/source/Singapore) and [Bahrain](/source/Bahrain) are sometimes considered microstates but some argue are too populous, self reliant or powerful to be considered true microstates and their island status can play an important factor too.[2] The smallest political entity recognized as a sovereign state is Vatican City, with fewer than 1,000 residents and an area of only 49 hectares (120 acres). Some microstates – such as Singapore, Monaco and Vatican City – are [city-states](/source/City-state) consisting of a single municipality.

## Definitions

### Quantitative

Most scholars identify microstates by using a quantitative threshold and applying it to either one variable (such as the size of its territory[3] or population[4]) or a composite of different variables.[5] While it is agreed that microstates are the smallest of all states, there is no consensus on what variable (or variables) or cut-off point should be used to determine which political units should be labelled as "microstates" (as opposed to small "normal" states).[1][6][7][8] According to some scholars the quantitative approach to defining microstates suffers from such problems as "inconsistency, arbitrariness, vagueness and inability to meaningfully isolate qualitatively distinct political units".[6]

### Qualitative

[Vatican City](/source/Vatican_City), the smallest independent country in the world, with 0.49 km2 (120 acres)

Some academics have suggested defining microstates according to the unique features that are linked to their geographic or demographic smallness.[6][9][10] Newer approaches have proposed looking at the behaviour or capacity to operate in the international arena in order to determine which states should deserve the microstate label.[10][11] Yet, it has been argued[*[by whom?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Manual_of_Style/Words_to_watch#Unsupported_attributions)*] that such approaches could lead to either confusing microstates with weak states[7][9] (or [failed states](/source/Failed_states)) or relying too much on subjective perceptions.[6]

An alternative approach is to define microstates as "modern protected states".[6] According to the definition proposed by Dumienski (2014): "microstates are modern protected states, i.e. sovereign states that have been able to unilaterally depute certain attributes of sovereignty to larger powers in exchange for benign protection of their political and economic viability against their geographic or demographic constraints."[6] Adopting this approach permits limiting the number of microstates and separating them from both small states and autonomies or [dependencies](/source/Dependent_territory).[6]

The smallest political unit recognized as a sovereign state is the [Vatican City](/source/Vatican_City), though [its precise status](/source/Legal_status_of_the_Holy_See) is sometimes disputed, e.g., [Maurice Mendelson](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Maurice_Mendelson&action=edit&redlink=1) argued in 1972 that "[i]n two respects it may be doubted whether the territorial entity, the Vatican City, meets the traditional criteria of statehood".[12]

[St. Kitts and Nevis](/source/St._Kitts_and_Nevis) in the [Caribbean Sea](/source/Caribbean_Sea), the smallest independent country in the [Americas](/source/Americas) with 261 km2 (101 sq mi)

## Politics

Statistical research has shown that microstates are more likely to be [democracies](/source/Democracy) than larger states. In 2012, [Freedom House](/source/Freedom_House) classified 86% of the countries with fewer than 500,000 inhabitants as "free".[13] This shows that countries with small populations often had a high degree of [political freedom](/source/Political_freedom) and [civil liberties](/source/Civil_liberties), which is one of the hallmarks of democracies. Some scholars have taken the statistical correlation between small size and democracy as a sign that smallness is beneficial to the development of a democratic political system,[14] mentioning [social cohesiveness](/source/Group_cohesiveness), opportunities for direct communication and homogeneity of interests as possible explanations for why this is the case.[13][15]

[San Marino](/source/San_Marino), the 3rd smallest independent country in [Europe](/source/Europe) and the oldest [republic](/source/Republic) in the world with 61.2 km2 (23.6 sq mi)

[Case study](/source/Case_study) research, however, has led some researchers to believe that the statistical evidence belies the anti-democratic elements of microstate politics.[13][16] Due to small populations, family and personal relations are often decisive in microstate politics. In some cases, this impedes neutral and formal decision-making and instead leads to undemocratic political activity, such as [clientelism](/source/Clientelism), [corruption](/source/Corruption), [particularism](/source/Political_particularism) and [executive dominance](/source/Elective_dictatorship).[13]

The high number of democracies amongst microstates could be explained by their colonial history.[13][14] Most microstates adopted the same political system as their colonial ruler.[17] Because of the high number of microstates that were [British](/source/Great_Britain) colonies in the past, microstates often have a [majoritarian](/source/Majoritarianism) and [parliamentary](/source/Parliamentary_system) political system similar to the [Westminster system](/source/Westminster_system).[14] Some microstates with a history as British colony have implemented some aspects of a [consensus](/source/Consensus_democracy) political system, to adapt to their geographic features or societal make-up.[17] While the colonial history often determines what political systems microstates have, they do implement changes to better accommodate their specific characteristics.

### Microstates and international relations

Microstates often rely on other countries in order to survive, as they have a small military capacity and a lack of resources. This had led some to believe that microstates are forced to subordinate themselves to larger states which reduces their [sovereignty](/source/Sovereignty).[18] However, research has shown that microstates strategically engage in [patron-client relationships](/source/Clientelism) with other countries.[19] This allows them to trade some privileges to countries that can advance their interests the most. Examples of this are microstates that establish a [tax haven](/source/Tax_haven) or sell their support in international committees in exchange for military and economic support.[18]

## Historical anomalies and aspirant states

A small number of tiny sovereign political units have been founded on historic anomalies or eccentric interpretations of law. Those types of states, often labelled as "microstates," are usually located on small (usually disputed) territorial enclaves, generate limited economic activity founded on [tourism](/source/Tourism) and [philatelic](/source/Philatelic) and [numismatic](/source/Numismatic) sales, and are tolerated or ignored by the nations from which they claim to have seceded.

The [Republic of Indian Stream](/source/Republic_of_Indian_Stream), now the town of [Pittsburg, New Hampshire](/source/Pittsburg%2C_New_Hampshire), was a geographic anomaly that had been left unresolved by the [Treaty of Paris](/source/Treaty_of_Paris_(1783)), which ended the [American Revolutionary War](/source/American_Revolutionary_War), and was claimed by both the [United States](/source/United_States) and [Canada](/source/Canada). Between 1832 and 1835, the area's residents refused to acknowledge either claimant.[20]

The [Cospaia Republic](/source/Cospaia_Republic) became independent by a treaty error and survived from 1440 to 1826.[21] Its independence made it important in the introduction of tobacco cultivation to [Italy](/source/Italy).

Couto Misto, a former  independent microstate in [Europe](/source/Europe), located between [Spain](/source/Spain) and [Portugal](/source/Portugal)

[Couto Misto](/source/Couto_Misto) was disputed by [Spain](/source/Spain) and [Portugal](/source/Portugal) and operated as a [sovereign state](/source/Sovereign_state) until the [1864 Treaty of Lisbon](/source/Treaty_of_Lisbon_(1864)) partitioned the territory, with the larger part becoming part of Spain.[22]

[Jaxa](/source/Jaxa_(state)) was a small state that existed during the 17th century at the border between [Tsardom of Russia](/source/Tsardom_of_Russia) and [Qing China](/source/Qing_dynasty). Despite its location in East Asia, the state's primary language was [Polish](/source/Polish_language).[23]

## Smallest by population

[Maldives](/source/Maldives) in the [Indian Ocean](/source/Indian_Ocean), the smallest independent country in [Asia](/source/Asia) with an area of 298 km2 (115 sq mi)

Here is examples of some of the smallest states by population, with dependencies excluded such semi-autonomous regions or associated states. Countries up to about the size of Malta are included, which is one of the most populous countries that has been called a microstate. Microstate, as discussed in this article is not a precisely defined term, but involves limited land and/or population compared to others, and as it becomes larger its more likely to be called a small state.

List of countries and territories by total population Location Population % of world Date Source (official or from the United Nations) Notes Vatican City 764 0% 26 Jun 2023 Official figure[24] Enclosed by Italy Tuvalu 10,679 0.0001% 1 Jul 2021 National annual projection[25] Pacific Nauru 11,680 0.0001% 30 Oct 2021 2021 Census[26] Pacific Cook Islands 15,040 0.0002% 1 Jul 2021 2021 Census[27] Pacific San Marino 33,950 0.0004% May 2024 Monthly national estimate[28] Enclosed by Italy Monaco 38,367 0.0005% 31 Dec 2023 Census[29] Liechtenstein 40,023 0.0005% 31 Dec 2023 National estimate[30] Enclosed by Switzerland and Austria Saint Kitts and Nevis 51,320 0.0006% 2022 2022 census result[31] Caribbean Dominica 67,408 0.0008% 31 Dec 2017 Official estimate[32] Caribbean Andorra 86,398 0.001% 31 Jul 2024 Official estimate[33] Enclosed by Spain and France Tonga 100,179 0.001% 1 Jan 2022 National annual estimate[34] Antigua and Barbuda 103,603 0.001% 1 Jan 2024 National annual estimate[35] Caribbean Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 110,872 0.001% 1 Jul 2022 Official estimate[36] Caribbean Grenada 112,579 0.001% 1 Jul 2019 Official estimate[37] Caribbean Seychelles 120,581 0.001% 31 Dec 2023 Official estimate[38] Indian Ocean Kiribati 120,740 0.001% 1 Jul 2021 National annual projection[25] Pacific Saint Lucia 184,100 0.002% 1 Jul 2023 Official estimate[39] Caribbean Samoa 205,557 0.002% 6 Nov 2021 Census 2021[40] Pacific São Tomé and Príncipe 228,319 0.003% 1 Jul 2024 National annual projection[41] Atlantic Barbados 267,800 0.003% 31 Dec 2022 [42] Caribbean Vanuatu 321,409 0.004% 1 Jul 2024 National annual projection[25] Iceland 383,726 0.005% 1 Jan 2024 National quarterly estimate[43] Atlantic Bahamas 397,360 0.005% 1 Jul 2022 [44] Belize 410,919 0.005% 1 Jul 2024 Official estimate[45] Brunei 445,400 0.005% 1 Jul 2022 Official estimate[46] Cape Verde 491,233 0.006% 16 Jun 2021 2021 census result[47] Maldives 515,132 0.006% 13 Sep 2022 2022 census result[48] Malta 542,051 0.007% 31 Dec 2022 Official estimate[49] Suriname 616,500 0.007% 1 Jul 2021 Official estimate[50] Montenegro 616,695 0.007% 1 Jan 2023 National annual estimate[51] Luxembourg 672,020 0.008% 1 Jan 2024 Official estimate[52] Solomon Islands 750,325 0.009% 1 Jul 2024 National annual projection[53] Comoros 758,316 0.009% 15 Dec 2017 2017 census result[54]

## See also

- [City-state](/source/City-state)

- [European microstates](/source/European_microstates)

- [Free State of Fiume](/source/Free_State_of_Fiume)

- [Free Territory of Trieste](/source/Free_Territory_of_Trieste)

- [Island country](/source/Island_country)

- [List of countries and dependencies by population density](/source/List_of_countries_and_dependencies_by_population_density)

- [List of countries and outlying territories by total area](/source/List_of_countries_and_outlying_territories_by_total_area)

- [List of countries by population](/source/List_of_countries_by_population)

- [Microstates and the United Nations](/source/Microstates_and_the_United_Nations)

- [Neutral Moresnet](/source/Neutral_Moresnet)

- [Free City of Danzig](/source/Free_City_of_Danzig)

- [Free City of Cracow](/source/Free_City_of_Cracow)

## References

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## Further reading

- [Sack, John](/source/John_Sack); [Silverstein, Shel](/source/Shel_Silverstein) (1959). [*Report from Practically Nowhere*](https://archive.org/details/reportfrompracti00sack). Harper & Brothers. [ASIN](/source/ASIN_(identifier)) [B0006D96LU](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006D96LU). [OCLC](/source/OCLC_(identifier)) [1321371](https://search.worldcat.org/oclc/1321371).

Authority control databases International GND National United States France BnF data Latvia Israel Other Yale LUX

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