From Out of Nowhere! "Small" But Successful Nations at Pageants

In pageant constellation, these nations are, most of the times, considered as the "small" ones. They are far from being the "big" and powerhouse nations like Venezuela, Mexico, Russia, Spain, or USA who always draws people attention in most pageants. But surprisingly, these "small" nations actually quite often come out of nowhere to make a placement in international Grand Slam stage. Who are these "small" but successful nations? Check out the list here ...

Saint Lucia

Saint Lucia is an island country in the eastern Caribbean Sea on the boundary with the Atlantic Ocean. It was named after Saint Lucy of Syracuse by the French, the first European colonizers. Part of the Lesser Antilles, it is located northeast of the island of Saint Vincent, northwest of Barbados and south of Martinique. It covers a land area of 620 sq km and has an estimated population of 173,765 people. Its capital is Castries. The island nation was also known as the "Helen of the West Indies."

Aiasha Gustave

Some achievements in Grand Slam pageants
• Cathy Daniel : Top 16 at Miss Earth 2006
• Aiasha Gustave : Top 25 and Continental Queen of Caribbean at Miss World 2009

Mongolia

Mongolia is a landlocked country in East and Central Asia. It is bordered by Russia to the north and the People's Republic of China to the south, east and west. Although Mongolia does not share a border with Kazakhstan, its western-most point is only 38 km from Kazakhstan's eastern tip. Ulaanbaatar, the capital and largest city, is home to about 38% of its population. Mongolia's political system is a parliamentary republic. It is the 19th largest and the most sparsely populated independent country in the world, with a population of around 2.9 million people and also the world's second-largest landlocked country after Kazakhstan.

Sodtuya Chadraabal

Some achievements in Grand Slam pageants
• Sansaramaa Luvsandoo : Top 15 at Miss International 2001
• Sodtuya Chadraabal : Top 15 and Miss Photogenic at Miss International 2004
• Sarnai Amar : Top 25 at Miss World 2010

French Polynesia / Tahiti

French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity or constituent country of France in Pacific Ocean. It is made up of several groups of Polynesian islands, the most famous island being Tahiti in the Society Islands group, which is also the most populous island and the seat of the capital of the territory (Papeete). It has a total population of about 267,000 inhabitants.

Mihilani Teixeira

Some achievements in Grand Slam pageants
• Vairupe Pater Huioutu : Top 10 at Miss Earth 2003
• Stéphanie Lesage : 2nd Runner Up and Best in Long Gown at Miss Earth 2004
• Ina Amanda Pater : 4th Runner Up at Miss Tourism Queen International 2009
• Mihilani Teixeira : Top 25 and best Designer Dress at Miss World 2010

Martinique

Martinique is an island in the eastern Caribbean Sea, with a land area of 1128 sq km. Like Guadeloupe, it is also an overseas region of France, consisting of a single overseas department. To the northwest lies Dominica, to the south Saint Lucia, and to the southeast Barbados. The first European to encounter the island was Christopher Columbus in 1502. As part of France, Martinique is part of the European Union, and its currency is the Euro. Its official language is French, although many of its inhabitants also speak Antillean Creole.

Pascale Nelide

Some achievements in Grand Slam pageants
• Murielle Celimene : 1st Runner Up at Miss Earth 2004
• Elodie Marie Astrid Charron : Top 16 at Miss Tourism Queen International 2006
• Elodie Marie Charlie Delor : Top 16 at Miss Earth 2007
• Pascale Nelide : Top 8 at Miss Earth 2009
• Ingrid Ittré : Top 16 at Miss World 2009


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