Andorra

This country is landlocked and is the sixth smallest country in the world. This country has never been involved in a war for over 1,000 years. This tiny country draws in over 10 million tourists a year. This country is Andorra.

Geography

Andorra is about 2.5 times the size of Washington DC and is nestled high in the Pyreénees Mountains situated on the French-Spanish border. It’s capital is Andorra la Velle. Andorra’s terrain is made up of rugged mountains dissected by narrow valleys. Andorra’s climate is temperate so it has snowy, cold winters and warm, dry summers. Andorra is also unusually sunny, experiencing 300 days of complete sunshine annually. To put this into your perspective, Miami receives a mere 74 days of complete sunshine a year.

Economy

The average person in Andorra makes $37,200 a year and tourism, retail sales, and finance account for over three-quarters of Andorra’s GDP. The other quarter relies mainly on agriculture. Andorra only cultivates 2% of its land and tobacco is mostly grown on the farmland there. Cigarette smuggling in Andorra has become a pressing issue in recent years because of the substantial profit smugglers make off buying cigarettes in Andorra and sneaking them back into neighboring France and Spain. Why Andorra? Because its taxes on tobacco are so low. Andorra’s monetary unit is the Euro.

People & Culture

Andorra’s people are primarily Spanish and Andorran and Andorra’s official language is Catalan. Andorra is the only country in the world that has Catalan as its official language. Andorra claims a literacy rate of 100% and Andorra’s major religion is Roman Catholic. 78,360 people live in Andorra.

Fun Facts

1. Andorra is the world’s only co-principality (ruled by two princes).

2. Andorra is ranked fourth in the world when it comes to human life expectancy. The expected life span of a person in Andorra is 82 years old.

3. By law, the male head of each family in Andorra is required to own a gun in case of attack or emergency.

One of Andorra's cities

Andorra's flag

A map of Andorra

Dominica

This country is one of the smallest in the Caribbean. This country has more active volcanoes than anywhere in the world. A majority of this country’s people are slave descendants brought there from west Africa. This country is Dominica (not to be mistaken with Dominican Republic).

Geography

Dominica is about four times the size of Washington DC. Dominica is located between the Caribbean sea and the North Atlantic Ocean (refer to map for clarification). Its capital is Roseau. Dominica’s terrain is mainly comprised by rugged mountains of volcanic origin. Dominica’s climate is tropical, moderated by northeast trade winds. It also rains heavily year round in Dominica.

Economy

Dominica’s economy has been dependant on agriculture the past years. Dominica’s major agricultural export is bananas. Dominica is also an ecotourism hotspot, making the country millions each year. Dominica’s GDP per capita is $14,300 a year and its monetary unit is the East Caribbean Dollar.

History

Dominica was discovered by Europeans in 1493 when Columbus discovered the island. Dominica was then claimed by Britain and France who established plantations on the island and imported slaves. In 1763, Dominica was formally ceded to Britain. The country remained a British colony until 1967 when it became a self-governing member of the West Indies Associated States in free association with Britain. The country is known as the commonwealth of Dominica today.

People and Culture

Dominica is home to 71,684 people. 2,200 of those people are native Caribs (Kalinago) who live on a 3,700 acre reservation. Dominica’s indigenous people migrated from South America as early as 3,000 BC and permanently settled on the island by 1,000 AD. However, most of the Dominica’s population is black or mixed black and European because of the large slave import brought in during the 18th century. Because of French and English influence, Dominica’s leading religion is Roman Catholic. Dominica’s official language is English but French patois is commonly spoken among Dominicans.

Fun Facts

1. Dominica gets 60% of its power from water through a series of water carried down in pipes from high peaks.

2. There are lots of African traditions in Dominica including Carnival.

3. Dominica’s original name is Waitukubuli which means “tall is her body” in Kalingo.

One of Dominica's many beautiful beaches

Dominica's flag

Dominica's location in the Caribbean

The native Kalingo people of Dominica

Brunei Darussalam

This country is one of the smallest on Earth. This country is home to one of the world’s most pristine rainforests and is blessed with its abundance of natural gas and oil. This country is Brunei Darussalam.

Geography

Brunei is about the size of Delaware and is located on the northern side of the island Borneo in Southeast Asia. Brunei is divided into two land areas with Malaysia wedged between them (refer to map for clarification). Its capital is Bandar Segi Begawan. Brunei’s terrain ranges from mountains and coastal plains in the east to hilly lowlands in the west. The country’s climate is tropical so there is consistent sweltering heat and humidity throughout the year.

Economy

Brunei’s definitely not the biggest oil producer in the world but when I say Brunei wouldn’t be wealthy without oil, I mean it. Some major dinosaurs gave it up there. If you want stats, oil related production accounted for 60% of Brunei’s GDP last year. Speaking of GDP, Brunei is the second richest country in Asia because of its GDP per capita and it’s monetary unit is the Brunei dollar.

People & Culture

Brunei’s population is 422,675. In that population, the two major ethnic groups are Malay (67%) and Chinese (15%). The major religion of Brunei is consequently Muslim because of the large Malay population. Brunei’s sultanate government is the oldest Muslim dynasty in that region. Traditional Bruneian practices include eating and passing food with only the right hand. Unfortunately, Brunei is one of the only countries in the world that hasn’t granted women rights to vote.

Fun Facts

1. In Brunei, the sale of alcohol and drinking in public is prohibited.

2. The Sultan of Brunei has more than 530 Mercedes-Benzes, 500 Rolls-Royces and 360 Ferraris in his car collection. He also owns a 1500 room palace.

3. Brunei's citizens are entitled to have free public health. 

Brunei's flag

Brunei's location in the Eastern Hemisphere

Map of Brunei

The Sultan's palace and a few of his cars

San Marino

This country is the 229th smallest country in the world. It is the oldest republic in the world and has a population of 32,448 people. This country is San Marino.

Geography

San Marino is about one-tenth the size of New York City. It is situated in central Italy and is surrounded by the country. San Marino’s terrain is geographically comprised by the rugged Apennine mountains. It’s climate is Mediterranean so it has cold damp winters and hot dry summers.

Economy

San Marino’s economy relies heavily on tourism, banking, and the export of ceramics and textiles. It’s biggest trade partner is Italy who it imports primarily manufactured goods from. The average Sammarinese person makes $62,188 a year and it’s monetary unit is the Euro.

History

San Marino is the oldest republic in the world because of its remarkable ability to stay neutral and unconquered. Since its formation in 301 AD, the Republic of San Marino has survived five major wars. San Marino remained intact avoiding feuds with neighboring Italian city-states, the Napoleonic Wars, the unification of Italy, and two world wars. After World War II, San Marino was ruled by a communist government which fell in 1957. San Marino joined the United Nations in 1992.

Fun Facts

1. San Marino’s capital is San Marino.

2. San Marino harbored more than 100,000 persecuted Jews and Italians during WWII (that was 10 times its population at the time).

3. San Marino had the first democratically elected communist leader.

San Marino's flag

San Marino's location in Italy

San Marino (San Marino's capital city)

Equatorial Guinea

This country is Africa’s only Spanish-speaking country. Most of this country lies on the African mainland (Río Muni), but its capital sits on an island 50 miles away. This country has recently found oil off its coast and its economy is booming compared to before. This country is Equatorial Guinea.

Geography

Equatorial Guinea’s about the size of Maryland. It’s climate is tropical and temperatures usually stay in the 80s and 90s most of the year. Equatorial Guinea’s mainland terrain is mainly flat coastal plains similar to the ones found along the American east coast. The terrain on its 5 islands is mainly volcanic rock. Malabo is Equatorial Guinea’s capital and it’s located on Equatorial Guinea’s largest island, Bioko.

Economy

The exploitation of large oil and gas reserves in Equatorial Guinea has contributed to dramatic economic growth in the past. Unfortunately, Equatorial Guinea’s government has been considered corrupt because of its misuse of oil revenues in the previous years. Because of this, the government is currently focusing their attention on soliciting foreign investment. Subsistence farming continues to be the dominant form of livelihood among Equatorial Guinea’s people. As a result, the country’s GDP per capita remains moderate at $25,700. Equatorial Guinea’s monetary unit is the Central African Franc.

History

There were originally two African Pygmy tribes that settled in Equatorial Guinea’s lands between the 17th and 19th centuries. The tribe that colonized Equatorial Guinea’s volcanic islands was called the Bubi Tribe. The tribe that colonized Equatorial Guinea’s mainland (Río Muni) was called the called the Fang Tribe. These tribes were eventually converted to Christianity by the Spanish after Spain was rewarded the country in the Treaty of Paris in 1900. The spanish ruled Equatorial Guinea until 1968, when the country gained its independence. Today, Equatorial Guinea’s primary language remains Spanish.

Fun Facts

1. The most ideal time to visit Equatorial Guinea is during the dry months between December and February.

2. The highest point in Equatorial Guinea is at the Pico Basile mountain summit at 9,878 feet.

3. The Africa Cup of Nations was hosted by Equatorial Guinea in 2012. It's Africa's largest sporting event.

The Bubi People Equatorial Guinea

Map of Equatorial Guinea

The Fang People of Equatorial Guinea

Equatorial Guinea's Flag

Monaco

This country’s the second smallest in the world. This country holds a casino acknowledged in the most remote regions of the globe. This country has an unemployment rate of 0%. This country has the highest population density in Europe with 16,403.6 people per square kilometer. This country is called Monaco.

Geography

Monaco is a narrow hilly wedge squeezed between Southern France and the Mediterranean sea to the south. The country is divided into 4 traditional quarters. Fontvieille (the newest), Monaco-Ville (the oldest), Monte Carlo (the world-famous), and La Condamine. It’s climate is Mediterranean so it has cold damp winters and hot dry summers.

Economy

Monaco’s economy is centrally run on tourism. Monaco’s beaches and world-famous casinos attract over 1.5 million tourists a year. If you want to talk money, the average income per person there is $65,500, one of the highest in the world and it’s monetary unit is the Euro. An interesting economic fact about Monaco is that 0% of its economy relies on agriculture.

History

Monaco was first discovered by Phoenicians and then ruled by the Greeks. Monaco was originally called Monoikos deriving from Hercules Monoikos, an ancient temple on the island worshipping Hercules. The name Monaco eventually started to be used in the Middle Ages when a fortress was built near today’s Monaco-Ville. Monaco-Ville was then seized by François Grimaldi in 1297 and has been ruled by the Grimaldi family ever since. In 1918, a treaty was signed with France stating that Monaco would continue to rule as an autonomous nation under the protection of France even if the Grimaldi Family died out. Today Monaco’s form of government is a constitutional monarchy.

People & Culture

Monaco is home to 30,508 people. Only 6,000 of those people are Monegasque citizens. The rest of the population is primarily French (47%) and Italian (16%). As a result, the main languages of Monaco are French, Italian, and Monegasque. 90% of the population is Roman Catholic because the Grimaldi Family who has ruled over Monaco since the 13th century, originally descended from Genoa, Italy and were devoted Catholics.

Fun Facts

1. Ironically, Monaco has one of the largest casinos in the world but its citizens are not allowed to gamble, nor even visit the casinos. Monaco’s casinos are only open to tourists over the age of 18.

2. There are no airports in Monaco. The nearest one is a 30-minutes drive away.

3. Monaco is known as “James Bond’s Playground.” The Monte-Carlo Casino has been the location of three James Bond Films.

A panoramic view of the country Monaco

The World-Famous Monte-Carlo
Casino

Monaco's location on a map
of Europe

Monaco's flag

Azerbaijan

Somewhere between Russia and Iran lies a country no bigger than Maine. This country's economy would be suffering without crude oil. This country also boasts a 99.8% literacy rate, one of the highest in the world. This country’s name is Azerbaijan.

Geography

Azerbaijan borders the Caspian sea in the Middle East. Its climate is semi-arid, similar to southern California’s. 21.78% of its land is arable making it a decent place for crops. Droughts are the most common natural hazards in Azerbaijan as well as soil pollution from the countless oil spills Azerbaijan’s had. Azerbaijan’s capital is Baku.

Economy

63% of Azerbaijan’s economy relies on petroleum and natural gases, steel, iron ore, petrochemicals, and textiles. 30.8% of its economy is from services and 6.2% of its economy is from agriculture product exports. Azerbaijan’s main agricultural export is cotton. Although, agriculture and services contribute greatly to Azerbaijan’s economy, oil money is what makes it run. In 2009, 81% of Azerbaijan's external trade was from crude petroleum.

History

Azerbaijan has a long history without independence. Azerbaijain has been ruled by Persians, Greeks, Mongols, Ottomans, and Russians in the past. Azerbaijanis have been controlled by other countries since 6th century BCE when the Persians conquered Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has an extensive history until modern times when Azerbaijan was controlled by Soviet Russia. Surprisingly, Azerbaijan oil production significantly affected the outcome of World War II, as Azerbaijan was the main supplier for Russian tank oil in the war.

Fun Facts

1. The first known fireplace in human history, which dated back to 700,000 years ago was discovered in Azykh Cave, the largest cave in Azerbaijan.

2. The Nobel Family, who created the much admired Nobel Prizes, made most of their fortunes in the Azerbaijan oil industry.

3. Oily Rocks (Neft Dashlari) is the first and largest city built on stilts in the world. At its peak, it had a population of 2,000 Azerbaijanis. It is located in the Caspian Sea.

An aerial view of Oily Rocks (Neft Dashlari)

Azerbaijan's capital: Baku

Azerbaijan's Flag

Azerbaijan's location in the world