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In general, information available as of 1 January 2003 was used in the preparation of The World Factbook 2003. This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003
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| Introduction | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Background: | Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include the failing health of Pope John Paul II, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.
| Geography | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Location: | Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Geographic coordinates: | 41 54 N, 12 27 E
Map references: | Europe
Area: | total: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.44 sq km
Area - comparative: | about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries: | total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km
Coastline: | 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims: | none (landlocked)
Climate: | temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Terrain: | low hill
Elevation extremes: | lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Natural resources: | none
Land use: | arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.)
Irrigated land: | 0 sq km (1998 est.)
Natural hazards: | NA
Environment - current issues: | NA
Environment - international agreements: | party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Geography - note: | urban; landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
| People | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Population: | 911 (July 2003 est.)
Population growth rate: | 0.01% (2003 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | NA%
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths: | NA
Nationality: | noun: none adjective: none
Ethnic groups: | Italians, Swiss, other
Religions: | Roman Catholic
Languages: | Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Literacy: | definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA%
| Government | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Country name: | conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City) conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City) local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano) local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
Government type: | ecclesiastical
Capital: | Vatican City
Administrative divisions: | none
Independence: | 11 February 1929 (from Italy) note: on 11 February 1929, three treaties were signed with Italy which, among other things, recognized the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century
National holiday: | Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978)
Constitution: | Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Legal system: | based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it
Suffrage: | limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Executive branch: | chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 December 1990) cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Karol WOJTYLA elected pope
Legislative branch: | unicameral Pontifical Commission
Judicial branch: | there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946
Political parties and leaders: | none
Political pressure groups and leaders: | none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
International organization participation: | CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US: | chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 5758346
Flag description: | two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band
| Economy | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Economy - overview: | This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual tax on Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, as well as by special collections (known as Peter's Pence); the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; fees for admission to museums; and the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Population below poverty line: | NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Labor force: | NA
Labor force - by occupation: | essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican
Budget: | revenues: $173.5 million expenditures: $176.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (2001)
Industries: | printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps, a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Electricity - production: | NA kWh
Electricity - consumption: | NA kWh
Electricity - exports: | 0 kWh
Electricity - imports: | NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy
Economic aid - recipient: | none
Currency: | euro (EUR)
Currency code: | EUR
Exchange rates: | euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.1324 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999)
Fiscal year: | calendar year
| Communications | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Telephones - main lines in use: | NA
Telephones - mobile cellular: | NA
Telephone system: | general assessment: automatic exchange domestic: tied into Italian system international: uses Italian system
Radio broadcast stations: | AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998)
Television broadcast stations: | 1 (1996)
Internet country code: | .va
Internet Service Providers (ISPs): | NA
Internet users: | NA
| Transportation | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Railways: | total: 0.86 km standard gauge: 0.86 km 1.435-m gauge note: a spur of the Italian Railways system, serving Rome's Saint Peter's station (2001 est.)
Highways: | none; all city streets
Waterways: | none
Ports and harbors: | none
Airports: | none (2002)
Heliports: | 1 (2002)
| Military | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Military branches: | Swiss Guards Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera)
Military - note: | defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope
| Transnational Issues | Holy See (Vatican City) | Top of Page
Disputes - international: | none
This page was last updated on 18 December, 2003