It is often customary to consider the very fact of the existence of several microscopic states on the territory of the European continent as nothing more than a historical misunderstanding. Many call the microstates of Europe sham and operetta. But is such contempt for small state formations always justified? Let's take a closer look at them.
Where did they come from? Brief History
States are like people - they are born, live and die. But European microstates include both those that have existed for centuries and even millennia, as well as random geopolitical formations such as Kosovo, Abkhazia and South Ossetia. According to the school geography course, the European continent extends over the territory from the Atlantic to the Urals, and these newborn formations are certainly included in it. These are also microstates of Europe. It is even possible that a great future awaits them, but we do not yet know. Therefore, let us focus on the phenomenon that the microstates of foreign Europe represent.
They arose in the early Middle Ages, forwhich was characterized by feudal fragmentation. And some of them have survived to this day.
What is the reason for their longevity
Microstates of foreign Europe, the list of which is by no means so long, owe the fact of their existence, first of all, to their neighbors. Near and slightly more distant. There is no doubt that if it were necessary for powerful neighboring states to absorb these dwarfs, they would find a reason to do so in a few centuries. But this has not happened yet. And if the well-known microstates of Europe exist and flourish, geography is the reason for this. More precisely, their favorable geographical location at the crossroads of traditional trade routes. And the preferences that they are able to offer their neighbors precisely as independent states.
What is their economy based on
Europe's six microstates thrive mainly on trade. It is in them either not taxed at all, or the rates of tax collection are low. At the same time, five microstates of Europe are located in its continental part. These are Liechtenstein, San Marino, Monaco, Andorra and the Vatican. The sixth state is M alta, located on the island of the same name in the Mediterranean Sea. A good income for some of them is gambling and offshore financial rules. But tourism is the backbone of the economy. All over the world there are many who want to visit the microstates of Western Europe and leave part of their savings there. A good income is brought to these countries by suchtraditional industries like agriculture and winemaking.
Liechtenstein
Microstates of Europe abroad are usually proud of their ancient origins and eventful history. And they have every reason to. The sovereignty of the Principality of Liechtenstein, located on the picturesque alpine slopes between Austria and Switzerland, dates back to 1507.
Here it is customary to take care of historical and architectural monuments that attract tourists to a small country. But the basis of its well-being is the industry - metalworking, the production of precision mechanics, medical equipment and medicines. The microstates of Europe, the list of which does not include poor countries, are justifiably proud of their high standard of living. But the subjects of the Principality of Liechtenstein earned a level of well-being with their own hands. The country's economy is largely integrated with that of Switzerland.
San Marino
The microstates of Europe include countries with different forms of government, from monarchy to democracy. The small country of San Marino, surrounded on all sides by the territory of Italy, is one of the oldest parliamentary republics on the continent. Moreover, it is the oldest country in Europe, the borders of which remained unchanged. Its history began in ancient times.
And today it is one big tourist attraction. Tourism is the backbone of its economy. For a large parttourists traveling to Italy, a visit to the Republic of San Marino is a mandatory item on the program.
Monaco
The Principality of Monaco, located on the Ligurian coast of the Mediterranean Sea, has a very peculiar reputation. For many residents of the European continent, this country is associated primarily with casinos and gambling houses. It is this circumstance that provides a flow of tourists to this coast who want to part with their money. The subjects of the Principality of Monaco are completely satisfied with this situation. Europe's sovereign microstates rarely enjoy economic independence.
And the financial well-being of Monaco is provided by those who like to play roulette. They are sent here in large numbers from Europe and other continents. They can be understood - it is more pleasant to part with money on the picturesque Ligurian coast, in the luxurious interiors of casinos and restaurants, the walls of which remember many prominent people, from monarchs to the uncrowned kings of the criminal world, inclusive. Moreover, in other European countries, such games, at least, are not welcome.
Andorra
The secluded position of the Principality of Andorra, located in the Pyrenees between France and Spain, has ensured peace and stability for many centuries. The conquerors showed no interest in him and bypassed him. The country was closed and its population led a patriarchal way of life, limited to agriculture, viticulture and winemaking. The situation has changedonly in the second half of the twentieth century. The Principality opened its borders, and today tourism is the unconditional basis of the economy of this microstate.
Its natural conditions are quite conducive to this. Over the past decades, world-class tourism infrastructure has been built on the picturesque slopes of the Eastern Pyrenees. Tourists heading to the resorts of the Gold Coast of Spain stop with pleasure in the principality. Only one and a half hundred kilometers separate the country from the Mediterranean coast, which takes about an hour's drive along a modern highway.
Vatican
When they list the microstates of Europe, this country is not always remembered. And this is not a matter of neglect, no one can deny the importance of the Vatican in the history of Europe and all mankind, it’s just that the country’s territory is scanty and not visible on every map. But the Vatican is noticeable in the world for its spiritual greatness. Located in several blocks of the Italian capital, the country, officially recognized as a member of the UN, is the smallest state in the world in terms of territory.
The Vatican City State is the seat of the supreme leadership of the Roman Catholic Church. An extremely large number of monuments of history, religion, culture and architecture are concentrated here in a very small area. Many artists, sculptors and architects, recognized as the titans of the Renaissance, lived and worked here. The most striking embodiment of their work was the grandioseSaint Paul's Cathedral. This provides an endless stream of pilgrims and tourists from all over the world to the Vatican. According to its state system, the Vatican is an absolute theocratic monarchy. The head of the Vatican is the Pope. It is pointless to talk about the country's economy, due to the complete absence of it.
M alta
The Republic of M alta is the only island country among the small states of Europe. It is located on an archipelago consisting of the title island and several small islands in its immediate vicinity. This place has been located at a busy crossroads of trade routes since ancient times. The ships of trade caravans moored in the port of M alta, traveling from the African coast to Europe and from west to east. A favorable geographical position, in the very center of the Mediterranean Sea, for many centuries provided the island with economic prosperity due to trade, and the constant attention of various conquerors. But since 1530, M alta has been considered a sovereign state, even though later in its history there were periods of occupation by Napoleon Bonaparte and Great Britain. English rule lasted until the seventies of the twentieth century, but it was mostly formal. Currently, M alta is a prosperous country with a high standard of living.
The basis of its economy is tourism. The M altese coast today is a world-class fashionable beach resorts, equipped with all the tourist infrastructure necessary for a comfortable stay. Exceptbeaches, tourists are also attracted by the numerous monuments of history, culture and architecture that have accumulated on the island over its long and eventful history. The state pays considerable attention to the preservation of historical and cultural heritage.
