Outliers- The smallest and largest Independent CountriesSingapore- 692.7 sq km

Singapore was founded as a British trading colony in 1819.

Independent by 1961

SingaporeIt joined the Malaysian Federation in 1963

but separated two years later and became independent.

one of the world's most prosperous per capita GDP countries (its port is one of the world's busiest) and equal to that of the leading nations of Western Europe.

Vatican City- 0.44 sq kmLocated completely within the city of RomeAlso known as the Holy SeeCenter of CatholicismCentered around St. Peter’s Basilica

Monaco- 1.95 sq kmEconomic development was spurred in the

late 19th century with a railroad linkup to France and the opening of a casino. mild climate, splendid scenery, and gambling

facilities have made Monaco world famous as a tourist and recreation center.

Liechtenstein- 160 sq km  The Principality of Liechtenstein was established within

the Holy Roman Empire in 1719; it became a sovereign state in 1806.

Since World War II (in which Liechtenstein remained neutral), the country's low taxes have spurred outstanding economic growth.

Loose banking regulations have resulted in concerns about money laundering.

Largest by AreaRussia- 17,075,200 sq km

Repeated defeats of the Russian army in World War I led to widespread rioting in the major cities of the Russian Empire and to the overthrow in 1917 of the royal family. The Communists under Vladimir LENIN seized power soon after and formed the USSR. The brutal rule of Josef STALIN (1928-53) strengthened Russian dominance of the Soviet Union at a cost of tens of millions of lives.

Canada-9,984,670 sq kmCanada became self-governing in 1867

while retaining ties to the British crown. Economically and technologically the nation

has developed in parallel with the US. Completely independent from the U.K. in

1982.

U.S.A.-9,826,675 sq km

China 9,596,960 sq kmFor centuries China stood as a leading civilization,

outpacing the rest of the world in the arts and sciences, In the 19th and early 20th centuries, China dealt with civil

unrest, famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. After World War II, the Chinese Communists under Mao

Zedong established a Communist system that, imposed strict controls over everyday life and cost the lives of tens of millions of people.

After 1978, Mao's successor Deng Xiaoping and other leaders focused on market-oriented economic development and by 2000 output had quadrupled in China. For much of the Chinese population, living standards have improved

dramatically and the room for personal choice has expanded, yet political controls remain tight.