6 small countries around the world with rich culture and history

Our world has different small and big countries that hold unique charm, rich history, and fascinating cultures.

These factors also make them different from each other. We know about the rich culture and history of big countries, but people know very little about the small countries and the uniqueness that they hold in terms of history and culture.

These small kingdom tells a captivating story and are popular for the resilience and identity that they hold.

Here are the smallest kingdoms around the world according to Britannica, with the factors that make them special, their significance in history, and why they attract a huge number of visitors even after their small size.

1. Wallis and Futuna

Wallis and Futuna is a tiny French territory that is located in the South Pacific, which is made up of three main islands with a population of approximately 11,000 people. The factor that makes it special is that it has a traditional monarchy system alongside the French government, which means that the islands are ruled by three local kings, and each of them is in charge of their area, and they work hard to keep old customs and culture alive even in the modern generation. Even though it is small in size, Wallis and Futuna show that traditional kings can still be important while living with a modern government, which makes it a very interesting small kingdom.

2. Bhutan

Bhutan is a tiny kingdom that is located in the Himalayas. It is known for its preserved culture and strong monarchy. Even today, despite its small size, Bhutan has maintained its independence and unique traditions, which are a blend of ancient Buddhist values with guarded modernisation, and this makes it unique from many countries in the world as well. Thus, with stunning natural beauty and a deep cultural heritage, Bhutan stands out as an example of a small kingdom that cherishes tradition while navigating the demands of the modern world, too.

3. Tonga

Tonga is a small island kingdom that is located in the South Pacific and is also known as “Friendly Islands” for its warm hospitality. Thus, it is one of the few remaining monarchies in the region that has a royal family that plays a significant role in the cultural and political life of the country. Even today, despite its small size and remote location, Tonga has preserved its traditions and strong sense of identity that perfectly blends ancient Polynesian customs with modern governance by making it a unique and enduring example of a small kingdom in today’s world.

Brunei is a tiny kingdom that is wealthy and is located on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. It is known for its vast oil and gas reserves, which make it one of the richest countries in the world. The governance of Brunei holds absolute power, which is a perfect blend of traditional monarchy with modern governance. Also, the kingdom is famous for its palaces, strict Islamic laws, and commitment to preserving cultural heritage. Thus, Brunei stands out as a small kingdom with a blend of immense wealth with deep-rooted traditions, which helps in maintaining its unique identity on the global stage even in this modern era.

5. Lesotho

Lesotho is a mountainous kingdom that is small in size and is completely surrounded by South Africa. It is popularly known as the “Kingdom in the Sky” due to its high altitude. It maintains a constitutional monarchy with a rich cultural heritage even in today’s modern world. Also, the kingdom has preserved its traditions, language, and customs over centuries. Its unique blend of traditional leadership and modern governance highlights its resilience and identity and makes it a fascinating example of how culture and history continue to flourish in today’s changing world.

6. Eswatini

Eswatini is formerly known as Swaziland and is one of the world’s smallest kingdoms, which is located in Southern Africa. It is an absolute monarchy that is ruled by King Mswati III, who upholds centuries-old traditions and cultural ceremonies that remain the centre of the nation’s identity. Eswatini preserves its heritage while handling the modern challenges in a great manner. It is known for its vibrant festivals and strong royal influence. Today, it stands as an example of a small kingdom that can maintain its rich cultural legacy in today’s global world.