When looking at a map of the world, you may notice territories that are geographically separated from the nations that control them. These areas are known as exclaves — territories belonging to one sovereign state that are completely surrounded by the land of one or more foreign dominions. (Other areas are known as semi-exclaves, which feature coastlines that lie adjacent to international waters but are otherwise akin to a traditional exclave.) Some exclaves can also be classified as enclaves, which are sovereign nations or territories of other nations that are entirely enclosed within the borders of a single foreign entity — such as Vatican City or San Marino, both of which fall within Italy. Here, we’ll explore six of the world’s most interesting exclaves.

Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Azerbaijan

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is an exclave belonging to Azerbaijan, a nation that sits along the Caspian Sea and Caucasus Mountains in Central Asia. Separated from the Azerbaijani mainland by a 30- to 50-mile-wide strip of Armenian territory, Nakhchivan borders Armenia to the north and east, Iran to the south and west, and a small sliver of Turkey to the exclave’s northwest portion. Nakhchivan comprises an area of over 2,000 square miles, about 6% of mainland Azerbaijan’s total area. Around 450,000 residents live here, making it the world’s largest entirely landlocked exclave by both area and population. In 1924, the region became an autonomous republic governed by the Soviet Union and was later transferred to an independent Azerbaijan in 1991. Nakhchivan also happens to boast some of the most stunning sites in Azerbaijan, including a mausoleum that has existed since the fourth millennium BCE and is the purported burial location of the prophet Noah.

Nahwa, UAE / Madha, Oman

The Emirati territory of Nahwa and the Omani territory of Madha may be but small blips on a map, but they form one of the more unique series of exclaves anywhere in the world. Located on the northern tip of the Arabian Peninsula off the Gulf of Oman, these two exclaves both exist entirely within the confines of the United Arab Emirates. Encompassing 29 square miles, Madha is a short distance from Oman’s mainland yet surrounded on all sides by the UAE. Located within Madha is the 1.70-square-mile territory of Nahwa, which itself belongs to the UAE. This unique geographical quirk — an exclave within an exclave — stems back to the formation of the UAE in 1971. As the country came into existence, the UAE decided against challenging the territorial boundaries of Oman, allowing them to maintain their ownership of the Madha region. Madha is home to around 2,000 residents, while Nahwa has just three villages and about 40 houses.

Cabinda Province, Angola

Cabinda is one of Angola’s 18 provinces — and the only Angolan exclave. The province sits on the Atlantic coast of the African continent about 20 miles north of mainland Angola, with a 56-mile-long coastline. Cabinda is surrounded by the Republic of the Congo to the north and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the south. The exclave’s maximum width is just 70 miles, and it encompasses a total area of 2,807 square miles. Cabinda’s origins stem back to the late 1800s, when it was the site of Portuguese logging camps. Portugal also established a separate colony known as Portuguese West Africa, which later became modern-day Angola. When Portugal withdrew from its African colonies in the 1970s, Cabinda was granted to the newly formed Angola, despite its geographical separation. Angola has maintained its steadfast control over Cabinda in large part because of oil reserves that were discovered within the province in 1967.

French Guiana, France

The South American region of French Guiana may be located on an entirely different continent than France, but it remains a territorial exclave under French jurisdiction. Amazingly, the capital of French Guiana, Cayenne, is located 4,398 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Paris. This French exclave is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the northeast, Brazil to the south and east, and Suriname to the west. An estimated 294,600 people inhabit the 34,750 square miles of French Guiana. European explorers first reached the territory in 1500, and Spanish explorers settled near Cayenne in 1503. The 1667 Treaty of Breda awarded the territory to France. Residents of the exclave were later made French citizens in 1877, and French Guiana became a département of France in 1946. Currently, French Guiana’s government is led by a local president who governs the territory alongside a prefect appointed by France.

Ellis Island, New Jersey/New York

Rather than an exclave surrounded by another country, Ellis Island is home to a unique exclave belonging to the state of New York — while the rest of the island falls under New Jersey’s control. The island, located in Upper New York Bay, once held an important role as an immigration processing center that welcomed over 12 million newcomers to the United States between 1892 and 1954. Ellis Island sits a mile off the coast of the island of Manhattan in New York City and 1,300 feet east of New Jersey’s mainland shore. It was originally around 3.3 acres in area but has since expanded to 27 acres due to a series of land reclamation projects.

It’s those projects that turned parts of Ellis Island into an exclave. Though an 1834 agreement between the two states granted total control of Ellis Island to New York, that changed in 1998, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that New Jersey had authority over the majority of Ellis Island’s territory that had been gained due to land reclamation. However, the court also determined that New York maintained control over the island’s Main Arrivals Building, as well as the original lands that existed prior to the island’s expansion. This created New York’s exclave, as those original lands have since become surrounded by reclaimed land owned by New Jersey.

Baarle-Hertog, Belgium / Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands

In the Baarle-Hertog region, the Belgian-Dutch border is a complicated one — to say the least. Baarle-Hertog is a series of exclaves that lie just outside of the Flanders region of northern Belgium. The Baarle-Hertog municipality is made up of 22 Belgian exclaves that are entirely surrounded by the Netherlands and three additional semi-enclave territories jutting up against Dutch lands from the Belgian border. All told, these scattered lands are home to around 2,663 Belgian residents and total a mere 2.9 square miles in area. 

Making things even more complex, portions of the Dutch municipality of Baarle-Nassau form seven additional Dutch exclaves that are located within these Belgian exclaves. The border was established per the Treaty of Maastricht in 1843, signed 13 years after Belgium declared independence from the Netherlands, creating this geographical conundrum that continues today. Thankfully, the two countries have peaceful relations, and this strange alignment has even led to various properties and restaurants that are split in half between the Belgians and Dutch.

Despite being a microstate wedged between Italy and France along the French Riviera, Monaco packs quite a punch as one of the wealthiest nations in the world. From its lavish casinos to world-famous auto races, Monaco has a thriving cultural scene that attracts thousands of high-rolling tourists each year. Here are six fascinating facts you might not know about Monaco.

Monaco Is the World’s Second-Smallest Nation

Encompassing a total land area of just over 0.77 square miles, Monaco is the second-smallest country on the planet by area, trailing only Vatican City. Monaco’s small area, coupled with its population of around 40,000 residents, makes it the most densely populated sovereign nation in the world. In fact, the only territory with a higher density than Monaco is the Chinese administrative region of Macau. Whereas many other European microstates find themselves landlocked, Monaco does boast a coastline, though it is the world’s shortest at only 2.5 miles in length. Amazingly, the coastline used to be even shorter and has recently expanded due to land reclamation efforts.

Monaco Has the World’s Most Expensive Real Estate

Monaco is known as the “billionaire’s playground,” and for good reason. According to the 2023 Knight Frank Wealth Report, Monaco real estate is the most expensive in the world. Here, $1 million USD only affords a mere 183 square feet of space — just half the purchasing power you’d have in New York City. This high financial barrier of entry isn’t a problem for the majority of Monaco’s residents, however, as a 2022 report found that 27,303 of Monaco’s inhabitants had net worths in excess of $1 million USD, with 208 of those ultra-wealthy individuals breaking the $30 million mark. No matter where you turn in Monaco, you’re bound to encounter ostentatious displays of wealth.

Monegasque Citizens Are Prohibited From Gambling

Given the country’s wealth, it makes sense that Monaco has been home to a thriving casino industry since the 1860s. Perhaps no gambling institution is more renowned than the Monte Carlo Casino, which served as a filming location for several films from the James Bond franchise, including 1995’s GoldenEye and 1983’s Never Say Never Again. After Prince Charles III awarded its charter in 1856, the Monte Carlo Casino opened its doors in 1861, and an equally lavish opera house was added in 1878. The casino has been home to several record gambling wins throughout its history, none greater than the $1.092 million that an anonymous Italian gambler scored in a game of roulette in 1974. 

However, none of these gambling victories have been awarded to Monaco residents, who are forbidden to gamble. The rule has been in place since the mid-1800s, when Princess Caroline — consort of Florestan I — oversaw the casino’s development. In an effort to ensure the nation’s residents retained their money, Caroline forbade Monegasque citizens from gambling at local casinos, leaving the industry entirely reliant on tourists and foreigners. In exchange, Monaco residents are exempt from paying income tax.

Actress Grace Kelly Was Princess of Monaco

Grace Kelly was one of the most famous actresses from Hollywood’s Golden Age, starring in 11 feature films throughout her career — including 1952’s High Noon, 1953’s Mogambo, and 1954’s The Country Girl, the latter of which earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress. Despite Kelly’s thriving acting career, she gave it all up in 1956 to marry Prince Rainier III, a member of Monaco’s long-reigning Grimaldi ruling family. The pair met in 1955 at a photo shoot during the Cannes Film Festival, and Rainier proposed later that year. 

From 1956 until her passing 1982, Kelly remained retired from acting, though she was nearly lured back to Hollywood in 1962 to appear in the Alfred Hitchcock film Marnie. Kelly even agreed to take the part, and a spokesman for the Monaco royal family announced that she would be permitted to act in the film before once again officially retiring from acting. However, Kelly ultimately backed out due to pressure from locals. Outside of lending her narration to a handful of documentaries, the princess never graced the silver screen again, instead focusing on her royal duties.

The Monaco Grand Prix Has the Shortest Track of Any F1 Race

First held in 1929, the Monaco Grand Prix was already a fixture on the race calendar when the first modern Formula One World Championship took place in 1950, and it has been held every year since except for in 1955. The prestigious auto race is one of the Triple Crown races of motorsports, along with the Indianapolis 500 and 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Monaco Grand Prix features the shortest track in F1 racing — at just 2.075 miles long, it requires drivers to twist and turn through the city streets and perform nearly 5,000 gear changes over the course of 78 laps.

Of all the individuals to compete in Monaco Grand Prix, no driver has been more successful than Ayrton Senna, whose six wins (once in 1984 and every year from 1989 through 1993) are the most of any driver. The race is a major point of pride for the tiny nation. It requires six weeks to set up and an additional three weeks to remove all of the tires and barriers that line the racetrack.

Monaco Has the World’s Shortest Written Constitution

Since Monaco barely registers on the map, perhaps it’s only fitting that its constitution is equally microscopic, at least compared to other similar documents. Exactly how long is the world’s shortest written constitution? Just eight pages, or 3,184 words, according to the Comparative Constitutions Project. (For reference, the U.S. Constitution is about double that length, at 7,762 words.) Monaco’s current constitution was adopted in 1962, under Prince Rainier III’s reign, and outlines the three branches of government and also states the line of succession to the Monegasque throne. Although the prince of Monaco holds the highest executive power in the land, the minister of state heads the government and is responsible for enforcing the laws established by this diminutive document, as well as guiding a six-member advisory council. 

The United States is a massive country, spanning over 3.7 million square miles. However, America’s 335 million residents are far from distributed equally. While regions like the Great Plains are home to vast, open expanses of land, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic are a much different story, as residents of these regions often find themselves packed inside major cities and towns with comparably small land areas. Below, discover the eight most densely populated U.S. states.

8. Florida

The only Southern state to crack the top eight in the list of most densely populated states, Florida has an average of 401.4 people per square mile. Over 21.5 million Floridians call the state’s 65,758 square miles home, which is an area equivalent in size to about one-third of the country of Spain. Florida’s most populous city is Jacksonville, with 987,960 residents — more than double the population of the next most populous city, Miami. When it comes to density, however, Miami has Jacksonville beat: Miami’s 455,075 residents share an area of just 36 square miles. The most densely populated place in Florida is the 0.79-square-mile city of Sweetwater in Miami-Dade County, with a population density of 25,610 people per square mile.

7. New York

The 27th-largest state in the country, New York covers approximately 54,555 square miles. According to the 2020 Census, New York state’s total population of 20.2 million residents gives the state an average population density of 428.7 people per square mile. On a more localized scale, New York City boasts a staggering population density of 29,938 people per square mile, with nearly 9 million residents spread across just 300.38 square miles. Amazingly, New York does not boast the highest population density in the state —  hat distinction lies with the tiny town of Kaser in Rockland County, near the New Jersey border. The village has a population of just 4,919 people living across 0.17 square miles.

6. Delaware

From the 70,913 residents of Wilmington to the 73 people who live in the town of Hartly, Delaware is densely packed from top to bottom. As the first state admitted to the nation and sixth-densest U.S. state, Delaware has an average of 508 people per square mile. About 990,000 Delawarens reside within the state’s 2,489 square miles of area. The town of Bellefonte is where you can find the most tightly packed group of Delaware residents, with 1,234 people across 0.18 square miles. Delaware’s largest city, Wilmington, is next on the list with a population density of 6,503, while the capital city of Dover sits much further down the rankings and only has a population density of 1,707 people per square mile.

5. Maryland

With a total area of 12,406 square miles, Maryland is slightly larger than the country of Belgium. Maryland holds fifth place among the most densely populated U.S. states, with a population density of 636.1 people per square mile. While Baltimore is by far Maryland’s largest city in terms of population — with 575,000 residents — Baltimore doesn’t even crack the top 10 in terms of population density for Maryland’s various municipalities. That honor lies with the sparsely populated yet tiny Friendship Heights Village, which has about 5,550 Marylanders across just 0.06 square miles of area. 

4. Connecticut

Densely populated states abound in New England. Connecticut ranks as the fourth-densest U.S. state, with 3.6 million residents who make their homes throughout the Constitution State’s 5,543 square miles of area. Connecticut is home to five cities with population numbers in excess of 100,000 — Bridgeport, Stamford, New Haven, Hartford, and Waterbury — and all of them also boast population densities of 3,704 or more people per square mile. Bridgeport, the most populous city on that list, is also the most dense, with its 147,000 residents covering a mere 16.06 square miles of area.

3. Massachusetts

Connecticut’s neighbor, Massachusetts, is the third-densest state in America, and it’s also the most populous state in the New England region. Encompassing 10,554 square miles of area, Massachusetts’ population density comes in at 901.2 people per square mile, with the majority of Massachusetts’ 7 million residents found in the capital city of Boston. Those 693,000 Bostonians pack into a mere 48.34 square miles of land area, but Boston is only the eleventh-densest city in Massachusetts with a population density of 14,338 people per square mile. Ahead of Boston on that list includes the comparably denser cities Somerville, Chelsea, Cambridge, and Everett.

2. Rhode Island

Despite covering the least amount of total area in the nation, Rhode Island comes in second on the list of most densely populated states with 1,061 people per square mile. Over 1.1 million Rhode Islanders reside within the Ocean State’s 1,214 square miles of area. Rhode Island’s largest city and capital, Providence, is home to about 195,000 of those residents, giving the city the second-highest density measure in the state. Coming in ahead of Providence among Rhode Island municipalities is the town of Central Falls, which is the eighth-largest city statewide in terms of population (with 23,500 residents). However, it only covers 1.2 square miles of area, equating to a population density of nearly double Providence’s.

1. New Jersey

Of the 50 U.S. states, none is more densely packed than the Garden State. Highly populated New Jersey was the third state admitted to the Union and is currently the fourth-smallest state by area, spanning 8,722 square miles. Packed within New Jersey’s narrow borders are an estimated 9.3 million residents according to the 2020 U.S. Census, whose data from that year puts their overall population density at a whopping 1,263.0, the highest rank anywhere in the nation. Some of New Jersey’s major population centers include Newark, with a current population of 322,000, and Jersey City, with 306,000 residents. Neither are considered to be the most densely populated community in New Jersey, however. That honor goes to the town of Guttenberg, with about 12,300 residents across just 0.19 square miles of area.

Scientists estimate there are approximately 11,000 permanently inhabited islands in the planet’s lakes, oceans, and seas. More than 730 million people — nearly 10% of Earth’s population — live on islands. While some are tiny, remote outcroppings home to only a handful of people, other islands host some of the globe’s most congested urban areas. Below, discover the 10 most populous islands in the world. 

10. Sri Lanka

Separated from the southern tip of India by the Palk Strait, Sri Lanka is roughly the size of West Virginia, but much more densely populated. Much of the island’s estimated population of 22 million people is concentrated in the southern part of the island, where the country’s largest city and industrial center, Colombo, is located. These flat coastal areas give rise to the Central Highlands, a region of stunning mountains and land ridges recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rivers crisscross the island, providing a rich soil system for evergreen forests and terraced paddy fields. A variety of religions and fascinating cultural traditions coexist in Sri Lanka, with literature, art, and dance all dating back more than 2,500 years.

9. Hispaniola

The Caribbean island of Hispaniola is the second-largest in the region by area (after Cuba) but home to the largest population, with over 20 million people calling the island home. Part of the Greater Antilles, it is divided into two countries that are home to an estimated 22 million people: Haiti covers the western part of Hispaniola, while the eastern two-thirds comprise the Dominican Republic. The island was a key strategic spot for the Spanish during the colonial era. Today, much of the original forest has been removed to make room for cultivation of coffee, rice, tobacco, and cacao. The Dominican Republic also has a thriving tourist industry, while Haiti is home to a number of colonial landmarks.

8. Taiwan

The island of Taiwan has a land area of about 14,000 square miles, but almost 24 million people are packed into that space, making it one of the most densely populated places on Earth. While Taiwan is widely known for its manufacturing industries, the country also has much to offer tourists, including the National Palace Museum and its permanent collection of more than 650,000 ancient Chinese artifacts. The 89th-floor observation deck of Taipei 101 (once the tallest building in the world) offers gorgeous views of the Taipei skyline. And you won’t go hungry when exploring the capital: There are night markets galore, with plenty of opportunities to try Taiwan’s beloved dumplings.

7. Mindanao

Mindanao is the second-most populous island in the Philippines, but despite the island being home to over 26 million people, it’s still possible to find secluded spots away from the crowds. Mount Apo, the country’s highest peak at 9,692 feet above sea level, is technically still an active volcano, although, like most throughout the archipelago, it hasn’t erupted in many years. There are beach resorts around the island, and water sports such as scuba diving and surfing are a big attraction. One added bonus is the climate: May is the warmest month with an average temperature of 83 degrees Fahrenheit, but even the coolest month, January, enjoys an average of 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Madagascar

The fourth-largest island in the world by area, Madagascar brings together both African and South Asian cultures. Although it lies just 250 miles off the coast of Mozambique, much of its 28 million people are culturally closer to the former French colonies of western Africa. A major attraction of Madagascar is its wildlife. The island’s geographic isolation means that 90% of species here are endemic, including 40 species of lemurs and multiple varieties of birds, butterflies, and chameleons. In terms of island culture, the Zafimaniry community has earned a spot on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its decorative woodcraft tradition.

5. Luzon

The Philippines consists of more than 7,000 islands, but even so, more than half of the nation’s population (approximately 57,000 people) lives on Luzon. The capital city, Manila, is a bustling hub of culture and shopping. Spanish colonial architecture lines the streets, and the city is also home to one of the world’s oldest Chinatowns. In the north, Balbalasang Balbalan National Park is a biodiverse forest park, protected by local elders. Luzon is also rich in natural resources: Iron, copper, gold, and manganese are all mined here, while coconuts, rice, sugar, mangoes, and bananas are key agricultural crops.

4. Sumatra

Sumatra is the second-largest and the second-most populated island in the Asian nation of Indonesia, home to an estimated 60 million inhabitants. Although you certainly won’t be exploring the island alone, Sumatra has much to offer visitors who want to get off the beaten path. Large expanses of the island’s rainforests remain unspoiled. On the southern part of the island, Sembilang National Park is home to several endangered species, including the Sumatran tiger and the siamang, a black-furred gibbon primate, as well as elephants, bears, leopards, and more than 213 species of birds.

3. Great Britain

Great Britain is an island consisting of the countries of England, Scotland, and Wales. Together with Northern Ireland and various other island communities off the coast, it makes up the United Kingdom. The largest island in Europe, Great Britain is home to an estimated 65 million of the U.K.’s 67 million residents. The English (and U.K.) capital, London, is located here, as are Edinburgh and Cardiff, the Scottish and Welsh capitals. With a rich history stretching back more than 5,000 years, the island has plenty to explore. Popular tourist destinations include Stonehenge, castles, and the island’s many coastal resorts. Further north, the more rugged terrain is suitable for climbing and other outdoor adventures.

2. Honshu

Honshu, Japan’s largest island, is also the second-most populous island in the world with approximately 104 million inhabitants. Many of the country’s biggest cities — including Tokyo (the world’s most populous city), Yokohama, Osaka, and Kyoto — are found on Honshu, and are all extremely densely populated. The island’s highest mountain, Mount Fuji, is a treasured national symbol, while Biwa, Japan’s largest lake and a popular tourist resort, is also located on Honshu. Like the rest of Japan, Honshu offers a fascinating mix of the ultramodern and the traditional — even among the bright lights of Tokyo’s business district, you can easily turn a corner to find a Shinto shrine.

1. Java

Java tops the list as the world’s most populous island. Although it is not the largest island in Indonesia by area, it is where more than half of the country’s population lives — an estimated 156 million people. Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Java is home to many volcanoes, including Mount Semeru, the highest peak on the island. The large number of volcanoes makes for rich, fertile soil, and dense rainforests and bamboo woodlands cover much of the island.. The population density on the island is an average of 2,600 people per square mile, but don’t let this fool you: While the cities are growing rapidly, much of Java’s population is still very rural.