Which is the smallest sovereign state (by area and population)?

The question asks to identify the smallest sovereign state by both area and population. The correct answer is Vatican City.

• Vatican City: This independent city-state, located within Rome, Italy, is recognized globally as the smallest sovereign state in the world by both land area (approximately 0.44 square kilometers) and population (around 800-900 residents).
• Monaco: While very small, Monaco is larger than Vatican City in both area and population.
• San Marino: San Marino is significantly larger than Vatican City in both area and population.
• Nauru: Nauru is an island country in Micronesia, larger than Vatican City in both area and population, though it is the smallest republic.

Vatican City's unique status as an ecclesiastical state contributes to its extremely small size.