What is the smallest island shared by two countries?

The smallest island shared by two countries is Little Saint Martin (also spelled Sint Maarten/Saint-Martin) in the Caribbean. This tiny island, covering just 87 square kilometers, is divided between France in the north (Saint-Martin) and the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the south (Sint Maarten). It is widely recognized as the smallest inhabited island in the world to be peacefully governed by two nations.

The unique division of this island dates back to the Treaty of Concordia of 1648, which established mutual cooperation, free movement of people, and shared resources—an arrangement considered remarkably progressive for its time. Despite being split politically, the island operates with a friendly, open border, allowing residents and tourists to move freely between the French and Dutch sides.

This peaceful coexistence has made Saint-Martin/Sint Maarten a symbol of cultural harmony, blending European influences with Caribbean traditions while attracting millions of visitors each year.