European microstates
Photo: Thomas Woodtli from Zürich, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The European microstates are a handful of very small states on the continent of Europe or its islands. Properly speaking, microstates are internationally recognised, but this term may be confused with "micronations" and other small entities. How small they have to be is subjective, but a rough definition might be "smaller than Luxembourg", which is 82 km north-south, 57 km east-West, and has a population of around 660,000.
MicrostatesThese are very small states but internationally recognised as fully independent. They may cede some functions such as defence to a larger neighbour, and have an open border with it.
DependenciesThese are territories with local autonomy, but under the patronage of a larger state, which may control defence, currency and so on.
ExclavesAll the coastal countries of Europe have populated islands that may have some local autonomy, but that are governed in the same way as the mainland provinces.
Disputed territoriesThese entities wish to be recognised as sovereign states, but are so to varying degree - often it's only their sponsoring nation that does so.
See also
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "European microstates" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Thomas Woodtli from Zürich, Switzerland, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons