Brian PaulThe world’s smallest landlocked countries are predominantly located in Europe, with a handful scattered across Africa and Asia. A landlocked country is defined as a sovereign state that does not have territory connected to an ocean or whose coastlines lie on endorheic basins. These nations face unique economic and logistical challenges due to their lack of direct maritime access, often relying on neighboring countries for trade routes and port facilities.
This list ranks the ten smallest landlocked countries by total area, with data compiled from official geographical sources. The rankings are definitive, as the area of each country is a fixed and widely documented figure.
Top 10 Smallest Landlocked Countries in the World
1. Vatican City – 0.44 km²
Vatican City is not only the smallest landlocked country in the world but also the smallest independent state globally by both area and population. It is an enclave entirely surrounded by the city of Rome, Italy, making it a classic example of a landlocked microstate. Despite its tiny size of just 0.44 square kilometers, it holds immense religious and historical significance as the spiritual and administrative center of the Catholic Church.
The country is home to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican Museums, which house some of the world’s most treasured art and artifacts. Its unique status as a sovereign entity is derived from the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which established it as an independent state under the authority of the Holy See.
2. San Marino – 61 km²
Completely surrounded by Italy, San Marino is the second-smallest landlocked country in the world and one of Europe’s oldest microstates. With an area of just 61 square kilometers, it claims to be the world’s oldest surviving republic, with a history that traces its origins back to the year 301 AD when it was founded by Saint Marinus.
The country is perched on the slopes of Monte Titano, offering stunning panoramic views of the Italian countryside. Its economy relies heavily on tourism, banking, and the sale of collectible stamps and coins. Despite its small size, San Marino maintains its own military, a unique system of government, and has successfully preserved its independence and cultural identity for over seventeen centuries.
3. Liechtenstein – 160 km²
This German-speaking microstate in Central Europe is bordered by Switzerland to the west and south, and Austria to the east and north. With an area of 160 square kilometers, it is a doubly landlocked country, meaning one must cross at least two borders to reach the sea—a status it shares only with Uzbekistan.
Liechtenstein is a principality governed by a constitutional monarchy, and it is known for its stunning Alpine landscapes, medieval castles, and prosperous economy. Despite its small size, it has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world, driven by a strong financial services sector and a favorable tax environment. The country also maintains close economic and political ties with Switzerland, using the Swiss franc as its currency.
4. Andorra – 468 km²
Andorra is a small principality nestled high in the eastern Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. With an area of 468 square kilometers, it is the fourth-smallest landlocked country in the world and one of Europe’s most popular ski destinations. The country is a co-principality, with the President of France and the Bishop of Urgell (Spain) serving as its joint heads of state—a unique political arrangement that dates back to medieval times.
Andorra’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, which accounts for a significant portion of its GDP, and it is also known for its status as a tax haven with low corporate taxes and duty-free shopping. The country has no airport of its own, relying on connections through Barcelona, Toulouse, and other nearby cities.
5. Luxembourg – 2,586 km²
This country in Western Europe is bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany, with an area of 2,586 square kilometers. Luxembourg is a grand duchy and a founding member of the European Union, renowned for its high standard of living and prominent role in international finance.
Despite its small size, Luxembourg is one of the wealthiest countries in the world, with a strong economy driven by its banking sector, steel industry, and logistics. The country is also home to several EU institutions, including the European Court of Justice, making it a key player in European affairs. Its trilingual population speaks Luxembourgish, French, and German, reflecting its position at the crossroads of Germanic and Romance cultures.
6. Eswatini – 17,364 km²
The country formerly known as Swaziland is a landlocked nation in Southern Africa, bordered by Mozambique to the northeast and South Africa to the west and south. With an area of 17,364 square kilometers, it is the sixth-smallest landlocked country globally and one of Africa’s smallest nations. Eswatini is an absolute monarchy, one of the few remaining in Africa, and its cultural traditions are a major draw for tourists who come to experience its vibrant festivals, including the famous Umhlanga (Reed Dance) and Incwala ceremonies.
The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, forestry, and light manufacturing, with sugar and wood pulp being major exports. The country also faces challenges related to high poverty rates and one of the world’s highest HIV/AIDS prevalence rates.
7. North Macedonia – 25,713 km²
Located in the Balkan Peninsula in Southeast Europe, North Macedonia is bordered by Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Greece, and Albania. With an area of 25,713 square kilometers, it is the seventh-smallest landlocked country in the world. The country has a rich cultural and historical heritage that reflects its position at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations, with influences from the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires.
North Macedonia gained independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 and has since faced challenges related to political stability and economic development. Its economy is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, particularly around Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its natural beauty and medieval monasteries.
8. Rwanda – 26,338 km²
Often called the “land of a thousand hills” for its mountainous terrain, Rwanda is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With an area of 26,338 square kilometers, it is the eighth-smallest landlocked country and one of Africa’s most densely populated nations.
Rwanda has made remarkable progress since the 1994 genocide, achieving significant economic growth and improvements in healthcare and education under the leadership of President Paul Kagame. The economy is based on coffee and tea exports, tourism (particularly mountain gorilla trekking in Volcanoes National Park), and a growing technology sector. The country is also known for its strong governance and ambitious development goals.
9. Burundi – 27,834 km²
This small, densely populated country in the African Great Lakes region is bordered by Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. With an area of 27,834 square kilometers, it is the ninth-smallest landlocked country in the world. Burundi’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with coffee and tea being its main exports, and it has a significant coastline on Lake Tanganyika, one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater lakes.
The country has been plagued by political instability and ethnic conflict since gaining independence from Belgium in 1962, which has hindered economic development and contributed to high poverty rates. Burundi remains one of the poorest countries in the world, heavily dependent on foreign aid and remittances.
10. Armenia – 29,743 km²
Located in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia, Armenia is bordered by Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Iran. With an area of 29,743 square kilometers, it is the tenth-smallest landlocked country and one of the most historically rich nations on this list. Armenia was the first country to adopt Christianity as its state religion in 301 AD, and its ancient monasteries and churches are major cultural treasures.
The country gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 and has since faced challenges related to economic transition, political instability, and the ongoing conflict with Azerbaijan over the Nagorno-Karabakh region. Despite these difficulties, Armenia has a vibrant diaspora, a growing technology sector, and a strong cultural identity rooted in its ancient heritage.
Comparison Table
| Rank | Country | Area (km²) | Continent | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vatican City | 0.44 | Europe | Smallest independent state globally; center of Catholic Church |
| 2 | San Marino | 61 | Europe | World’s oldest surviving republic; founded in 301 AD |
| 3 | Liechtenstein | 160 | Europe | Doubly landlocked; one of the highest GDP per capita globally |
| 4 | Andorra | 468 | Europe | Co‑principality; major ski destination in the Pyrenees |
| 5 | Luxembourg | 2,586 | Europe | Founding EU member; global financial hub |
| 6 | Eswatini | 17,364 | Africa | Absolute monarchy; rich cultural traditions |
| 7 | North Macedonia | 25,713 | Europe | Balkan nation; Lake Ohrid UNESCO site |
| 8 | Rwanda | 26,338 | Africa | “Land of a thousand hills”; remarkable post‑genocide recovery |
| 9 | Burundi | 27,834 | Africa | Densely populated; coastline on Lake Tanganyika |
| 10 | Armenia | 29,743 | Asia/Europe | First Christian nation; Nagorno‑Karabakh conflict |
Tips For Understanding Landlocked Countries
The Definition is Clear: A landlocked country is a sovereign state that does not have a coastline or direct access to the ocean. This classification is fixed and does not depend on interpretation .
Doubly Landlocked: Vatican City and Liechtenstein are doubly landlocked, meaning one must cross at least two international borders to reach a coastline. Luxembourg, with just over 2,500 km², shares this status only with these two.
Economic Implications: Being landlocked often increases the cost of international trade and logistics, as countries must rely on neighbors for port access, sometimes paying high transit fees.
European Dominance: The top five smallest landlocked countries are all in Europe, reflecting the continent’s high density of microstates and small nations.
Conclusion
The world’s ten smallest landlocked countries range dramatically in size, from the minuscule 0.44 square kilometers of Vatican City to the 29,743 square kilometers of Armenia. Europe dominates the list, accounting for seven of the top ten, including all five of the smallest, with the remaining three located in Africa. Despite their small size, these nations are often historically and culturally rich, with many playing significant roles on the global stage. The unique challenge of being landlocked has shaped their economies, politics, and international relations, forcing them to adapt and thrive without direct access to maritime trade routes.