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While many of us are lucky to live in nations with vast open spaces and a few close neighbors, some countries have extremely high population densities. Here is a list of the ten most densely populated nations across the globe.
1. Monaco [Wikipedia]
Monaco holds the title of the most densely populated country in the world, as well as the second smallest independent nation. With a population of just 32,410 residing within an area of only 1.96 square kilometers (485 acres), it is also the tiniest French-speaking country on the planet.
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2. Singapore [Wikipedia]
Located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is an island nation with a dense population. Renowned as a top tourist and business destination, Singapore also stands as one of the wealthiest countries due to its advanced economy. It has earned a reputation as the most business-friendly economy worldwide, attracting thousands of foreign expatriates working in multinational corporations. Additionally, the city-state is home to tens of thousands of foreign manual laborers. With a population density of over 6,300 people per square kilometer, it ranks as the second most densely populated country in the world.
3. Vatican City [Wikipedia]
Located entirely within Rome, Vatican City spans only 44 hectares (108.7 acres), making it the tiniest sovereign state globally. It is both the center of the Catholic faith and the world's third-most densely populated state, despite having only 821 residents.
4. The Maldives [Wikipedia]
Comprised of 26 atolls in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives is a chain of islands with 1,192 islets, 200 of which are inhabited. With a population of 298,842 as of a 2006 census, the nation spans only 298 square kilometers of territory.
5. Bahrain [Wikipedia]
Bahrain, an island nation without borders, lies in the Persian Gulf. As the smallest Arab country, it boasts the fastest-growing economy in the Arab world, fueled by a booming oil sector. This rapid economic growth has attracted a significant influx of immigrants and guest workers, making it one of the most densely populated nations, with nearly 987 people per square kilometer.
6. Bangladesh [Wikipedia]
Bangladesh is a small nation situated in South Asia, nearly encircled by India. It ranks among the most densely populated countries worldwide. Despite its land area of only 144,000 square kilometers (55,600 sq mi), Bangladesh's population density is striking, especially considering that Russia’s entire population is slightly smaller than Bangladesh's.
7. Nauru [Wikipedia]
Nauru is a tiny island nation located in the Micronesian region of the South Pacific, covering just 21 square kilometers. It holds the title of the world’s smallest island nation, the tiniest independent republic, and the only republican state globally without an official capital. With a population of about 13,048, Nauru is home to a small community on this remote island.
8. Taiwan [Wikipedia]
Taiwan is an island located in East Asia, just off the coast of mainland China. Following the defeat in the Chinese Civil War in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek and around 1.3 million refugees fled to Taiwan, establishing the Republic of China (ROC) in its largest city, Taipei. The political status of Taiwan remains a contentious issue, but its advanced industrial economy has made it one of Asia’s wealthiest and most densely populated countries.
9. Barbados [Wikipedia]
Located to the east of the Caribbean Sea, Barbados is an independent island nation in the western Atlantic Ocean. Known for its popularity as a tourist destination, the country covers an area of approximately 430 square kilometers. With one of the highest standards of living and literacy rates globally, Barbados has a relatively small population of around 279,000.
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10. Malta [Wikipedia]
Malta is a compact and densely populated island nation, consisting of an archipelago of seven islands located in the Mediterranean Sea. Since joining the European Union in 2004, Malta has witnessed a boost in investments and a strengthened economy. As of 2005, the country’s population stood at 404,039, and its population density of 1,282 people per square kilometer is the highest in the EU, ranking among the highest in the world.
Contributor: Nartjai
Technorati Tags: Travel
