The Flattest Countries on Earth – And Why It Matters According to 2025 data from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the Maldives tops the list of the world's flattest nations, with an average elevation of just 1.5 meters (5 feet) above sea level.
The Maldives is the lowest country in the world, with maximum and average natural ground levels of only 2.4 metres (7 ft 10 in) and 1.5 metres (4 ft 11 in) above sea level, respectively.
But because the sea moves around quite a lot it's actually quite a difficult system to calibrate. In order to do so they need a very big, perfectly flat, non-moving surface in a place with no cloud cover. Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia is that place; it is the flattest place on Earth.
☀️📸🙌 FLATTEST PLACE ON EARTH 🙌📸☀️ The Hay Plains is one of the flattest places on earth – second after the Sahara according to most locals. Although it's closer to the Danakil Desert in Ethiopia when it comes down to it!
Liechtenstein has a population of more than 30,000 people but ranks as the second-wealthiest country in Europe per capita, surpassing even Britain's royal wealth in GDP terms. This prosperity stems from low taxation, a strong banking sector, high-tech industries, and zero external debt.
"One can find "really flat" 12-inch silicon wafers that have steps totaling about 500 nanometers." That's roughly 1/200 of a hair. And so if we are concerned with flatness of a surface that's visible to the naked eye, silicon wafers are the likely winner, Lagally says.
For some of the world's countries, the answer is very, very small, even teeny tiny. Vatican City holds the title as the world's smallest country, with an area of just 0.17 square mile (0.44 square km). As a point of comparison, the largest country in the world, Russia, is almost 39 million times bigger.
Today, though, it is the county of Norfolk, also in East Anglia, which can lay claim to being the UK's 'flattest county', for Norfolk stretches from sea level along its extensive coastline to a height of only 103m at Beacon Hill near to Sheringham.
By nearly any measure, Bhutan is the world's most mountainous country. Its average elevation is 10,760 feet, and mountains cover 98.8% of its total area. Some say that Bhutan is the highest country on earth at 3280 meters. It is also the home to the highest unclimbed mountain peak.
What country has the lowest altitude in the world?
The Maldives is the lowest country on earth, with an average height above sea level of just one to three meters (three to six feet). The islands have long been a welcome sight on the horizon among mariners, positioned as they are along ancient trade routes and sea lanes.
The cheapest countries to live in are Pakistan, Egypt, Nepal, Bhutan, and Burundi. The cost of living alone should not be the decisive factor for those hoping to move to a more affordable place. Some of the most affordable countries in the world are considered to be also the most dangerous to live in.
However, Niue's iconic landscapes and natural wonders are just the tip of the iceberg. Their Polynesian way of life, which is far removed from the pressures of modern tourism, gives space for once-in-a-lifetime experiences. The warm hospitality and adventurous wonders truly make Niue the rarest country in the world.
In first place, as the freest country in the world, we have Switzerland. With its majestic alps and serene lakes, this small European country is a haven of freedom. Switzerland's political structure is a marvel in itself, rooted in a system of direct democracy and federalism.
What are some famous countries that no longer exist? Famous countries that no longer exist include the Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, and the Ottoman Empire.
