February 24. “Button, do you have any idea about some of the smallest countries in the world?”

“None, whatsoever. Can you please enlighten me?”

“Here are six courtesy Yahoo Travel: Holy See which is also known as the State of Vatican City is the teeniest country at .2 square miles with a population of just 466. The next is Monaco which is .7 square miles with a population of 32,500. Monaco lies along the French Riviera on the French Meditteranean coast near Nice. It is the second smallest country in the world and smacks of wealth, with its multi-million pound yachts in the harbour, extravagant lifestyle, discreet banking facilities and heavily policed streets.  The next is a potato-shaped island called Nauru that is 8.4 square miles populated by 13,770 and which once supplied Australia with abundant fertilizer for almost a century. The next one on my list is Tuvalu that is made up of six atolls and three islands that make up this 9 square mile country. During the II World War, a large number of American troops were stationed on these islands where an old runway exists with several World War II airplanes and a visible airstrip. Now, only 12,000 people inhabit this fourth smallest country. Located on Mouth Titano, north of Italy, San Marino is one of Europe’s oldest nations (it existed since the 4^th century) and, apart from the Holy See, is the only city-state surrounded by another country. Its 24 square miles holds a wealth of history with museums and priceless architectural monuments . Cars are banned so you can explore the country’s ramparts peacefully by foot or head to the mountain peak for a stunning, panoramic view of Northern Italy and the calm Adriatic Sea. At 62 square miles and a population of 34,000, Liechtenstein is often overlooked in favour of Switzerland and Austria despite being a fair match for both.”

“This is so thrilling. Have you been to any of these places?”

“Not to these places but I have been to Nice and the Basilica of St Peter. Dost and I have also been to Italy which happens to be one of my favourite places on earth.”