The State of the Vatican City is the landlocked smallest sovereign city-state in the world. In the year of 2007, the Vatican City agreed to become the first carbon neutral state.

HISTORY:- During the movements of Italian unification from 1860 to 1870, Vatican City State became a part of Italy. The temporal power of the pope was abolished under an Italian law of 1871. The papacy ( the office of the pope ) was restricted within the Vatican, Lateran palaces and the villa of Castel Gandolfo. The pope refused to this settlement. The autonomy of the Holy See was granted under the Lateran Treaty of 1929, which was signed by both the Vatican and the kingdom of Italy. The first session of Ecumenical Council Vatican II was held in 1962. This session was opened to set policies for the modernization of the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican and Italy signed another treaty of concordat in 1984, which affirmed the independence of the Holy See. This accord introduced Catholicism as the Italian state religion.

GEOGRAPHY:- Vatican City is located at 41 54 N, 12 27 E in Southern Europe as an enclave of Rome. The total area of the city is 0.44 sq km. The lowest point is an unnamed location (19 m) while the highest point is also an unnamed location (75 m). Vatican City is composed of low hills.

CLIMATE:- The climate of Hole See is temperate, with mild, rainy winters (September to May) and hot, dry summers (May to September).

GOVERNMENT:- An absolute elective monarchy reigns in the Vatican City. The chief of state is Pope Benedict XVI and the head of government is the Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone. The Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City is appointed by the pope. The legislative branch comprises the unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City.

CULTURE:- St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel are instances of most famous art in the world. The Vatican City is considered as the only UNESCO site to consist of an entire state.

ECONOMY:- Selling of postage stamps, coins, medals, fees for admission to museums, sale of publications and tourist mementos are the primary sources of income to the state. Other major economic activities include investments and real estate.

Labor force: Dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside the Vatican.

Budget:  

Revenues: $310 million

Expenditures: $307 million (2006)

Monetary unit: Euro

LANGUAGE:- Italian, Latin, French, various other languages are spoken in the Holy See. Italian is the official language of the city.

CITIES:- Vatican City is the capital of the Holy See.

POPULATION:- he population of Vatican city is estimated 824 (July 2008 est.) with average growth rate of 0.003%.

Density per sq mi: 5,362

Literacy rate: 100%.

RACE:- Italians and Swiss peoples are the main dwellers of the Vatican City.

RELIGION:- Roman Catholic

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: total: 0.86 km; note: connects to Italy's network at Rome's Saint Peter's station (2001).

Highways: none; all city streets.

Ports and harbors: none.

Airports: none. Heliports: 1 (2002).

 

Comments