While residents of huge megalopolises dream of the opportunity to get rid of the hustle and bustle for at least an hour, the inhabitants of these cities lead a measured and unhurried life. From the current top ten there are the smallest cities in the world.
Residents of any of the participants in this Top 10 probably know almost all the inhabitants of their hometown. How could it be otherwise, if it has one street and 20 houses?
10. Beile Tushnad (Romania, 1,700 people)
The city gained fame thanks to the mineral springs located here. Beile Tushnad is popular among Europeans who want to relax amidst untouched nature - the town is literally buried in the green of the forests.
9. Kallaste (Estonia, 1115 people)
The picturesque town is located on the shores of the famous Lake Peipsi. The population density here is far from being as small as one might think, because the area of the city is only 1.9 km2. For comparison, the area of the Estonian capital is 159.3 km2.
8. Chekalin (Russia, Tula region, 994 people)
The smallest city in Russia got its name in honor of the Hero of the Soviet Union A. Chekalin. Until 1956 the city was called Likhvin, and the first mentions of it date back to 1565. By the end of the 19th century, Likhvin had 266 houses, 7 taverns, 4 factories, 25 merchant shops, a wine warehouse and a trading pier.
7. Vatican (821 people)
All residents of the city-state are ministers of the Catholic Church. Obtaining a Vatican passport is not easy - you need to prove that the applicant's merits to the church are great enough. According to the agreement between Italy and the Vatican, losing a Vatican citizen of Italy.
6. Llanurtid Wells (Great Britain, 600 people)
The small town is famous not only among the British due to the fact that every year it hosts a championship in an amazing sport - the swamp triathlon. Among the disciplines of these competitions are scuba diving in a swamp, spell worms and carrying your own wife over long distances.
5. Durbuy (Belgium, 500 people)
The first mention of the town dates back to 889. In the 14th century, the settlement had everything necessary to be called a full-fledged medieval city: a city wall, a tribunal and a casemate. All buildings have survived to this day, as well as a special medieval atmosphere that attracts thousands of tourists to the city.
4. Melnik (Bulgaria, 390 people)
The city got its name from the chalk cliffs located around. Several centuries ago Melnik was famous for the production of wine and tobacco. Melnishko wine was loved all over Europe. On the territory of the city, the Bolyarsky House has been preserved - the oldest building on the Balkan Peninsula, dating back to the times of the Byzantine Empire.
3. Rabstein (Czech Republic, 20 people)
The Czech town was founded in 1337, today there is one street and a small square. Despite the two dozen residents, Rabstein is always unusually crowded - after all, tourists from all over the world come here. The main attraction of the small town is the 14th century Gothic castle.
2. Hum (Croatia, Istria, 17 people)
The small walled city is one of the Croatian tourist centers. Out of 17 people, one holds the position of mayor, and one more city dweller has the honorary titles of policeman, doctor, firefighter and judge. The appearance of the city has remained practically unchanged since the 11th century. The inhabitants of Hum are of almost all venerable age and sacredly keep traditions, in the subtleties of which they are happy to devote the guests of the town.
1. Buford (USA, Wyoming, 1 person)
The only inhabitant of the world's smallest city - House Sammons, which took over the burden of the duties of Mayor of Buford. Among the abandoned buildings of the city are a school, a gas station, a shop and a parking lot. In 2012, Sammons put Buford up for sale, bailing out $ 900,000 from two Vietnamese businessmen.