Tiny Countries You've Never Heard of
About Tiny Countries
When it comes to world travel everybody has heard of Switzerland and France or Thailand and Japan, well those are all great travel destinations in their own right. And if you do decide to visit Thailand, check out https://www.thailandnomads.com/ for all the travel info you need. But there are unique travel destinations that the average tourist has never even heard of. Though tiny in size and population these small countries have a ton to offer in terms of culture, scenery, and character. They can be an exciting adventure given their off-the-beaten-path genre. Many are far away tropical islands with few inhabitants. Others are micro mountain countries with breathtaking scenic backdrops and rich historic quality to them. Exploring the micro mountain countries and their rich historic quality is an experience enhanced by starting the day at great places for breakfast in Switzerland, where the culinary delights are as impressive as the scenic views.
Exploratory Glory YouTube Channel
Andorra
A total of 468 sq km of mountainous terrain, ancient churches, and oodles of adventure. Located between France and Spain, Andorra is tucked into the gorgeous Pyrenees Mountains. In the warmer months, there is outstanding hiking to be done all over this tiny country.
Andorra la Vella is the busy capital city of Andorra and has plenty of character and charm.
Now a self-governing country, Andorra was once jointly controlled by Spain and France but possesses its own culture and language known as Catalan.
Monaco
Monaco is one of the smallest countries in the world second only to the Vatican and is squeezed into just 200 hectares. Monaco is a luxury-filled country and being a tax haven means it is a playground for some of the world’s most wealthy individuals.
Monte Carlo is this French-speaking country’s capital city and displays evidence of wealth that is rivaled by few other countries in the world
Tuvalu
Tuvalu is an incredibly tiny island nation with a culture of Polynesian origins. It has a total land area of only 26 sq km (10 sq mi) with around 11,192 inhabitants.
Unfortunately for residents who live in Tuvalu the impacts of climate change and rising tides are all too real and storms in Tuvalu have been worsening in recent years. Talks of relocating the country are a hot topic.
Tourism in Tuvalu is relatively nonexistent, but the island of Fongafale has a hotel, a lodge, a motel, and some vacation rentals.
Dominica
Dominica is a small Caribbean destination that is well off the beaten path and entices backpackers and nature enthusiasts alike. It remains untouched by the commercial tourism industry and that’s exactly what draws adventure-driven people to this lush tropical paradise.
Affordable jungle cabanas are up for rent and provide the perfect place to become symbiotic with Mother Nature.
The island is home to some 365 rivers along with 12 breathtaking waterfalls, giving visitors plenty to explore.
Nauru
Nauru is a faraway land that virtually nobody has heard of and with an area of only 21 sq km (8.1 sq mi) and an 11,200 population, it is one of the smallest nations on earth.
With a deep and long history dating back 3,000 years, Nauruan people have two distinctly separate genetic backgrounds, Polynesians and Micronesians. The main differences between the two backgrounds are represented through visible characteristics, such as the Polynesians having light brown skin and straight black hair, while Micronesians tend to have darker skin and curly black hair.
San Marino
San Marino is the fifth smallest country in the world and is an incredible landlocked micronation that has remained sovereign since AD 301 and is the world’s oldest country.
Italian speaking as well as being completely landlocked by Italy makes this republic’s sheer existence fascinating.
Luxembourg
Luxembourg is a splendid slice of northern Europe that has a historic past. It is perfectly perched atop dramatic mountainscapes. The country is most well known for its world-class wines from the Moselle Valley. It is littered with ancient castles and breathtaking mountain vistas which makes it an amazing country to explore. It is also a world known financial hub that attracted a lot of foreign investors who wanted to benefit from the advantageous business and legal conditions here.
Tonga
The Kingdom of Tonga is devoid of fancy resorts and gigantic tourist-packed cruise ships, but that’s what is so good about Tonga. It is still unspoiled by the commercialization of the modern world, much like Hawaii would’ve been many generations ago. The lifestyle in Tonga moves at a slow and relaxing pace.
Snorkeling, diving, and kayaking opportunities await, along with hiking trails and rugged coastlines.
Grenada
Grenada is a tropical island in the Caribbean that is most often overlooked by people looking to visit an island destination. But look past Grenada no longer, because this little Caribbean gem has so much to offer and is largely non-commercialized.
Once called the Spice Island due to its prime conditions for nutmeg production. It is also known for its bounty of different tropical fruits.
Palau
The Republic of Palau is visually stunning. It is a tiny island nation packed full of extraordinary natural wonders. Though the scenery in Palau is unbelievable, there is something else that is quite unique about Palau and that is the Jellyfish Lake. The lake has been cut off from the surrounding environment and contains within it an ecosystem that has evolved all on its own. There is a species of jellyfish that actually has no sting and is completely harmless.
Kiribati
Being so remote and so far from anything else Kiribati is an incredible destination for those looking to escape from the everyday stresses of modern society. Kiribati is a total of 33 islands that are spread out over a vast section of the Pacific Ocean that is a whopping 3.5 million square kilometers, so even travel between islands is lengthy. Under 100,00 people live on the islands of Kiribati.
Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein is a tiny mountainous country nestled between Switzerland and Austria. Liechtenstein is so incredibly whimsical it seems as though it was plucked straight out of a fairy tale.
Liechtenstein has so many trails to hike and is an adventure enthusiast's dream escape.
The country is only 25 km long by 12 km wide and there is a way to access the region and that is by bus from neighboring countries.
Marshall Islands
The Marshall Islands are not what you would call a tourism hotpot and are far from easy to reach. The country is made up of many low-lying atolls.
The Marshall Islands consist of two island chains of 30 atolls and 1,152 islands. Though most of the islands are tropical paradises, some were former nuclear test sites for the USA military and remain uninhabitable.
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Kitts and Nevis is comprised of two main islands and has great beaches along with impressive mountains. The island culture is relaxed and locals like to partake in 'limin'', which is a term that means hanging out, drinking, and talking.
St Kitts is the larger island and is more commercialized. Nevis, on the other hand, has a more relaxed vibe to it.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
St Vincent and the Grenadines is a gorgeous chain of islands located in the heart of the Caribbean Sea. Being less popular than its much busier neighbors makes it ideal for those looking for pure relaxation and solitude.
The country has more to offer than just beaches and cocktails, you can also hike volcanoes and visit beautiful waterfalls.
Tokelau
The island nation of Tokelau is so far off the beaten path that traveling there takes true dedication. Samoa is the closest neighbor and also the only way to reach Tokelau and even that takes 24 hours by boat. There are three island atolls and they are Fakaofo, Atafu, and Nukunonu, and travel times between them can take up to 9 hours.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua's rugged coastlines embrace hundreds of perfect little coves teeming with marine life and blue water. There is a bustling capital city called St John's, located in English Harbour. Antigua is much like its typical Caribbean neighbors with colorful villages and friendly locals who'll be happy to start a conversation.
Saint Lucia
Mother Nature perfected her craft when she made Saint Lucia and she included in it many geographical and cultural assets. It is a down-to-earth place that is stocked with brilliant scenery.
Nature lovers will fall head over heels in love with Saint Lucia and it has a plethora of wilderness adventures.
The Federated States of Micronesia
Micronesia is a magical place with an abundance of warm tropical trade winds and golden rays of sunshine. It has a total of 607 Pacific Islands, as well as more than 111,500 people and a land area that spans two separate time zones.
Together with the USA territory of Guam, Micronesia comprises the Northern Mariana Islands, the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, and Palau, each containing its own chain of islands with a unique culture and different experience.
