Sarah Mitchell
Vatican City is a landlocked enclave of Rome, Italy. It is the smallest country in the world, with an area of 44 hectares (110 acres) or 49 hectares (120 acres; 0.49 square kilometres). Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and is led by the Pope. The country has its own official language, currency, and citizenship. It is home to several famous attractions, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Colosseum, and the Vatican Museums. The Vatican can be entered through the north entrance at the Vatican Museums or the East entrance at St. Peter's Basilica.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Rome, Italy |
| Size | 44 hectares (110 acres) or 49 hectares (120 acres); 0.44 km2 or 0.49 km2; 3.5 km (2.2 mi) border with Italy |
| Population | Around 800 inhabitants, including clergy members; less than 1,000 official residents |
| Language | Italian (official); Latin |
| Currency | Euro |
| Main Attractions | St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Castel Sant'Angelo, Catacombs, Pantheon, etc. |
| History | Established as a sovereign state by the Lateran Pacts on February 11, 1929 |
| Governance | Led by the Pope; protected by the Swiss Guard |
| Crime Rate | Highest in the world (due to crimes per capita), including shoplifting, purse snatching, and pickpocketing |
| Wine Consumption | Highest per capita in the world (74 liters per year) |
| Infrastructure | Rail line and train station, heliport, post office, radio station, military barracks, government buildings, cultural/art centers |
| Natural Hazards | Same as Rome, e.g., earthquakes |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Vatican City is a landlocked enclave of Rome, Italy
Vatican City is surrounded by Rome and located in the northwest area of the city. It can be entered through the north entrance at the Vatican Museums or the east entrance at St. Peter's Basilica. The Vatican Museums offer a variety of tours, including guided tours for individuals, which cover major attractions such as the Sistine Chapel, the Pio Clementino Museum, the Gallery of the Candelabras, and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps. St. Peter's Basilica is the largest church in the world and a true architectural marvel. It is open to visitors and typically opens early, at around 7 am. It is important to note that the basilica is closed on Wednesdays until 12:30 pm due to the Papal Audience.
Vatican City has a unique status as a landlocked enclave within another country, Italy. This means that it is surrounded by Italian territory and does not have direct access to an international border or coastline. The city-state has a high degree of autonomy and sovereignty, with its own government, currency, and postal system. It also has extraterritorial rights over thirteen buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo, the pope's summer residence.
The territory of Vatican City includes diverse structures such as a rail line and train station, heliport, post office, radio station, military barracks, government palaces and offices, a public plaza, part of an audience hall, and cultural and art centres. The city-state has the same climate as Rome, with temperate, mild, and rainy winters (from September to mid-May) and hot, dry summers (from May to September). It is located on a low hill called Vatican Hill (Mons Vaticanus in Latin), which has been known by this name since before the existence of Christianity.
Vatican City has a population of around 800 inhabitants, including clergy members. It has two official languages, Latin and Italian, with Italian being the lingua franca. The official currency is the Euro. The city-state has a high crime rate, mainly due to crimes committed by the millions of tourists who visit each year, such as shoplifting, purse snatching, and pickpocketing. It also has some unique characteristics, such as the fact that no one can be a citizen of the Vatican by birth, and it does not have any hospitals or delivery rooms.
Evil Catholics: Myth or Reality?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![Italy, Rome [Map Pack Bundle] (National Geographic Adventure Map)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81qBMgifrFL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
It's the smallest country in the world
Vatican City, surrounded by Rome, Italy, is the smallest country in the world. It measures 0.19 square miles or 0.49 square kilometres, and can be crossed in about 10 minutes on foot. The Vatican is a city-state with a population of around 800 people, although it attracts almost 5.5 million visitors annually.
The Vatican is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, and the Pope is its leader. It is the only country in the world that is entirely designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has its own army, the Swiss Guard, which has 135 members. The Swiss Guard is responsible for the Pope's safety and is known for its Renaissance-era uniforms.
The Vatican has no hospitals or delivery rooms, so no one can become a citizen by birth. Citizenship is granted based on employment with the Holy See, and it is extended to relatives living in the same household. Once the appointment ends, citizenship is revoked. Italian is the official language, but Latin is used for official matters, and the Vatican is considered the custodian of the Latin language.
The Vatican has no prison, and those sentenced to imprisonment serve time in Italian prisons, with the Vatican government covering the costs. It is reported that residents of the Vatican consume the most wine per capita globally, with an average of 74 litres consumed annually. The Vatican is also home to the shortest railway in the world, with two 300-metre tracks and one station, Citta Vaticano.
The Catholic States: Where Are Most of the US Catholics?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church
Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign state and city-state, located in Italy. It is an enclave within Rome, situated on the west bank of the Tiber River. Vatican City is the smallest internationally recognised independent state in the world by both area and population. It is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope's official residence.
The history of Vatican City is closely linked to the Roman Catholic Church and its popes. Popes ruled over sovereign papal states across central Italy until the country unified in the 19th century. As a result of Italian unification, the church lost its land to the new country. In response, each pope thereafter remained a voluntary "prisoner of the Vatican", refusing to leave the Vatican and submit to the authority of the Italian government. This situation lasted for almost 60 years.
In 1929, the dispute between the Italian government and the Catholic Church was resolved with the signing of the Lateran Treaty, also known as the Lateran Pacts. The treaty recognised Vatican City's sovereignty and independence from Italy. It also provided for a financial settlement from Italy to the Catholic Church for the loss of the Papal States.
Vatican City is governed by the Holy See, the central governing body of the Catholic Church, which is led by the Pope as the bishop of Rome. The Pope holds legislative, executive, and judicial power over the state. The Holy See's budget is supported by investments, real estate income, and donations from Catholic individuals, dioceses, and institutions worldwide.
Vatican City is home to significant religious sites, including St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, and the Apostolic Palace. It also has its own telephone system, post office, gardens, astronomical observatory, radio station, banking system, and pharmacy. The Swiss Guard is responsible for the safety of the Pope and has been present in Vatican City since 1506.
Catholics and March of Dimes: A Complex Relationship
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Vatican Museums are a popular attraction
The Vatican is a must-see when visiting Italy and Rome. It is located in Vatican City, surrounded by Rome in the northwest area of the city. It is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and the world's smallest country.
The Sistine Chapel, with its ceiling and altar wall decorated by Michelangelo, is one of the most famous attractions within the Vatican Museums. It is located within the Pope’s home, the Apostolic Palace, and can only be entered through the museums. The famous ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, depicts The Creation of Adam, among other allegorical figures. The four Raphael Rooms, decorated with frescoes by Raphael, Michelangelo, and Leonardo da Vinci, act as a grand entrance to the Vatican. They join the museum with the Papal Palace and overlook the Belvedere courtyard.
The Vatican Museums also feature the Gallery of Maps & Tapestries, which showcases immersive corridors that symbolize military conquests and biblical visions. The Ethnological Museum, often skipped, is fascinating for its global collection of sacred art. The Carriage Pavilion displays Popemobiles and ceremonial berlins in the basement. The original Bramante Staircase can only be viewed on special tours, but the modern one is accessible near the exit.
The Vatican Museums offer a wealth of art, history, and architecture to explore, making them a popular attraction for visitors from all over the world.
A Catholic Wedding Ceremony: Short and Sweet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Pope resides in Vatican City
Vatican City is a landlocked enclave of Rome, Italy, and the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church. It is the smallest country in the world, covering only 44 hectares (110 acres) or 0.44 square kilometres. The Pope resides in Vatican City, which has been its own sovereign state since 1929. The country has its own military, the Swiss Guard, whose role is to protect the Pope.
The Pope's residence is the Apostolic Palace, which contains the Sistine Chapel. The Vatican Museums, which include the Pio Clementino Museum, the Gallery of the Candelabras, and the Gallery of the Geographical Maps, are also located in Vatican City. Visitors can purchase admission to the museums online or at the door, although long waiting times can be expected during peak hours and the high season. The Sistine Chapel is located inside the Vatican Museums, and there is no separate entrance for it. St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world, is also located in Vatican City and is free to enter, except for special religious events.
Vatican City is home to fewer than 1,000 residents, including clergy members. It has two official languages, Latin and Italian, and the official currency is the Euro. The country has no hospitals or delivery rooms, so no one can be a citizen of the Vatican by birth. Citizenship is granted based on appointment to work in the service of the Holy See and is extended to spouses, parents, and other relatives.
Vatican City is surrounded by Rome and is located in the northwest area of the city. It can be entered through the north entrance at the Vatican Museums or the east entrance at St. Peter's Basilica. It takes approximately 30 minutes to walk between these two entrances.
Texas Catholics: Landowners or Landless?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Vatican City is located in Rome, Italy. It is an enclave of Rome, with a border of 3.5 km (2.2 mi) and an area of 49 hectares (120 acres; 0.49 sq km).
Vatican City is home to St. Peter's Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and the Colosseum.
The Sistine Chapel is located within the Pope's home, the Apostolic Palace, and can only be entered through the Vatican Museums. It is famous for its ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512.
Italian is the official language of Vatican City, and Latin is used as the official language of the Holy See.
The most reliable way to purchase tickets for the Vatican Museums is through the official website. Tickets are released 60 days in advance, and it is recommended to book in advance to avoid disappointment.
