Smallest Countries in the World

By Matt Rosenberg, About.com Guide

The Marshall Islands are the world's seventh smallest country and are 70 square miles in area. The Marshall Islands is made up of 29 coral atolls and five main islands that are spread out over 750,000 square miles of the Pacific Ocean. The Marshall Islands are located about halfway between Hawaii and Australia. The islands are also near the equator and the International Date Line. This small country with a population 68,000 gained independence in 1986; they were formerly part of the Trust Territory of Pacific Islands (and administered by the United States).