Monaco, San Marino, Andorra, and Liechtenstein (all in one)

Aside from Luxembourg, all the other microstates are outside the European Union (not counting Vatican City)

San Marino, along with Andorra and Monaco, is moving forward with their Association Agreement with the European Union and they’ve voiced their support for keeping the negotiations rolling, hoping everything wraps up smoothly.

Beccari mentioned that this bilateral visit is basically a chance to take another big step toward tightening up our cooperation, especially when it comes to the economy. He also noted that San Marino "deeply appreciates the support from the US regarding the Association Agreement with the European Union."

"That whole process kicked off back in 2015, and we’re hoping to wrap it up pretty soon, mostly thanks to the backing from friendly nations," Beccaria said.

He made it clear that San Marino is dead set on working together on economic fronts, and they’re pouring a ton of resources into new tech, specifically stuff focused on sustainable development.

San Marino and Rhode Island first signed their sister city agreement back in 1968, and they officially renewed the Charter of Brotherhood in 2018.

While Minister Beccari is visiting the States, he’s planning on stopping by Rhode Island too.

Larry Walker24 said:San Marino and Rhode Island first signed their sister city agreement back in 1968, and they officially renewed the Charter of Brotherhood in 2018.

While Minister Beccari is visiting the States, he’s planning on stopping by Rhode Island too.

It all ties back to the fact that the founder of San Marino actually hailed from Rhode Island.

I hit up Monaco and San Marino last year, and before that, I made three trips over to Liechtenstein—actually planning my fourth visit pretty soon.

They’re such cool little microstates.

I’ve gotta say, Liechtenstein is my absolute favorite; Monaco is all fancy and high-end, sure, but it’s just way too crowded, always with all that constant noise and commotion.
As for San Marino, that fortress perched on Mount Titano is just stunning.

The founder actually hailed from Rhode Island.

You should definitely go if you ever get the chance. I did get to visit Andorra back in '98 during my high school graduation trip, but let's just say we were all a bit too tipsy at L'ORET del mar to really take it all in.

Liechtenstein is basically tied up with Switzerland, though back before World War I, they were actually aligned with the Austro-Canadian Empire. Honestly, they don't even need the European Union because their standard of living blows most EU nations out of the water... they’ve got this deep-seated grudge against Germans, and let's be real, even the locals there aren't thrilled since you've got Swabians using this tax haven to run a European dirty money laundry...
The ruler, Hans Adam, is actually wealthier than Queen Elizabeth II... he wields almost absolute power over the country. In all honesty, the whole thing is basically a soft dictatorship.

It's pretty wild that Spain and Andorra have this whole unresolved border dispute going on, especially since Catalan is actually the official language over in Andorra.

It’s also worth noting that Liechtenstein stands as the last absolute monarchy left in Europe. Over there, the Prince actually calls the shots, personally setting the laws and overseeing the government.

Aaron Cooper3 said:It’s also worth noting that Liechtenstein stands as the last absolute monarchy left in Europe. Over there, the Prince actually calls the shots, personally setting the laws and overseeing the government.

If we were to introduce democracy there, wouldn't it immediately 😁

Aaron Cooper3 said:It’s also worth noting that Liechtenstein stands as the last absolute monarchy left in Europe. Over there, the Prince actually calls the shots, personally setting the laws and overseeing the government.

They don't even have their own TV stations, and they weren't even occupied by Hitler. They basically just let Switzerland handle everything for them.

They only recently recognized the Czech Republic and Slovakia (there was this whole drama because Czechoslovakia—yeah, Czechoslovakia—never gave back the properties the Liechtenstein family used to own).

Robin Sanders75 said:If we were to introduce democracy there, wouldn't it immediately 😁

Sure, why not send in some freedom fighters? It would certainly help ensure the ultra-wealthy have one less tax haven to hide their money.

The Sovereign Military Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, is this Catholic knighthood based out of Rome, Italy. They actually have full international legal status, which is wild because they maintain diplomatic ties with over a hundred different countries. Even though they don't have their own actual territory, they get extraterritoriality for two specific spots in Rome—the Grand Master of Palazzo Malta residence and Villa Malta.

In everyday conversation, people usually just stick to the shorter names like the Sovereign Military Order of Malta or simply the Order of Malta.

Nowadays, the Order of Malta focuses mostly on medical aid, social work, and humanitarian relief efforts. Over the years, they've managed to roll out hospital services and humanitarian programs in more than 120 countries.

They even keep an embassy right here in the US.

Larry Walker24 said:The Sovereign Military Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, is this Catholic knighthood based out of Rome, Italy. They actually have full international legal status, which is wild because they maintain diplomatic ties with over a hundred different countries. Even though they don't have their own actual territory, they get extraterritoriality for two specific spots in Rome—the Grand Master of Palazzo Malta residence and Villa Malta.

In everyday conversation, people usually just stick to the shorter names like the Sovereign Military Order of Malta or simply the Order of Malta.

Nowadays, the Order of Malta focuses mostly on medical aid, social work, and humanitarian relief efforts. Over the years, they've managed to roll out hospital services and humanitarian programs in more than 120 countries.

They even keep an embassy right here in the US.

Like, why should I care where they get their money?

Larry Walker24 said:They don't even have their own TV stations, and they weren't even occupied by Hitler. They basically just let Switzerland handle everything for them.

They only recently recognized the Czech Republic and Slovakia (there was this whole drama because Czechoslovakia—yeah, Czechoslovakia—never gave back the properties the Liechtenstein family used to own).

I know about the dispute, but I had no idea they actually recognized them.

Richard Wilson4 said:I know about the dispute, but I had no idea they actually recognized them.

They settled the dispute (which is just code for: they handed over the cash to the Liechtenstein family)

Larry Walker24 said:Like, why should I care where they get their money?

They make it through stamp and coin collections.
😁

Robin Sanders75 said:If we were to introduce democracy there, wouldn't it immediately 😁

Jacob Parker13 said:They make it through stamp and coin collections.
😁

🤣🤣🙏
These tiny little nations are all incredibly wealthy.
The cynics would probably claim it’s all thanks to their coins and stamps.

We can all sit here and make jokes about how they're tiny, acting like size is the only thing that matters in a country. But seriously, just look at Monaco or Liechtenstein.

The people there are loaded. Honestly, most folks are probably thrilled to be living in these little microstates.
Sure, Monaco is basically the definition of glamour—it’s easily the place with the highest concentration of millionaires on the planet.
But then you take a look at Liechtenstein... talk about a transformation, going from some isolated mountain backwater to one of the wealthiest nations in the entire world.

They’re actually quite decent, too. I find their sense of order absolutely fascinating. The Prince has all this authority because the citizens actually voted for it during a referendum.
He’s essentially the reason they’ve become so prosperous...

You really just have to go see it for yourself. I’ve been to Liechtenstein three times now, and every single time I come back completely spellbound by its beauty. Monaco is just as stunning. San Marino was incredible, too... I still need to make it over to Andorra eventually.

nimbleranger52 said:We can all sit here and make jokes about how they're tiny, acting like size is the only thing that matters in a country. But seriously, just look at Monaco or Liechtenstein.

The people there are loaded. Honestly, most folks are probably thrilled to be living in these little microstates.
Sure, Monaco is basically the definition of glamour—it’s easily the place with the highest concentration of millionaires on the planet.
But then you take a look at Liechtenstein... talk about a transformation, going from some isolated mountain backwater to one of the wealthiest nations in the entire world.

They’re actually quite decent, too. I find their sense of order absolutely fascinating. The Prince has all this authority because the citizens actually voted for it during a referendum.
He’s essentially the reason they’ve become so prosperous...

You really just have to go see it for yourself. I’ve been to Liechtenstein three times now, and every single time I come back completely spellbound by its beauty. Monaco is just as stunning. San Marino was incredible, too... I still need to make it over to Andorra eventually.

I'm just kidding. It doesn't really cross my mind to mock anyone who's clearly miles ahead of where I'm from.