Vatican

Capital of Vatican: Vatican City
Population of Vatican: 832
Total area of Vatican: 0,44 km2

Vatican City is located entirely within the city of Rome, Italy. It is the home of the Catholic Pope. Its flag consist of two halves, a yellow half on the left and a white half on the right. The right half has an ornate symbol consisting of two keys crossing each other and a triple crown on top.

Vatican population

Approximately 826 people live as citizens of the Vatican City. They live in the Vatican’s territory or act as diplomats from the Vatican throughout the world. The population is divided into the clergy and lay workers who help keep the Vatican running. All citizens of the Vatican are, by definition, Roman Catholic. The City has no formal language but most speak Italian. Latin is used for official documents and in the legislation of the City. Some of the guards speak the language of their country of origin. You need to be appointed in order to be part of the Vatican City and your citizenship ends when your religious appointment ends. Upon loss of citizenship, a person automatically becomes an Italian citizen.  

History of Vatican

It used to be an unoccupied part of Rome but, after Agrippina the Elder drained the area in 1 CE, a circus was created there by Caligula in 31 CE. There was also a cemetery there at one time. The Basilica of St. Peter’s was first built there in the 300s on the site believed to be that of the tomb of St. Peter. The papal palace was later built in the 400s CE. It was reigned over by a succession of popes over the centuries. There was some argument as to whether the Vatican City was a sovereign place and this was answered affirmatively in the Lateran Treaty of 1929. The Vatican remained neutral during WWII, when Pope Pius XII ruled there. The Vatican was never occupied by the Germans in WWII.

Vatican Tourism

Located within Rome in Italy, the Vatican is the world's smallest state and the only current Papal state in existence. As the temporal seat the Catholic Church leader (the Pope), it attracts millions of pilgrims during special dates in the liturgical year, such as Christmas or Easter. It is home to more artworks and historical significance than most cities in the world. The Vatican’s current appearance is a result of over 1000 years of papal-commissioned renovations and redesign. The Leonine walls and the Vatican palace (where the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel are located) all date back to several centuries ago. Saint Peter’s Basilica dating back to the 14^th century was rebuilt in the 16^th century by the greatest Renaissance artists. At the center of Piazza San Pietro or Saint Peter’s Square is the only obelisk remaining in Rome that never toppled. Another attraction is the Vatican Gardens, with its Renaissance and Baroque area fountains and sculptures.

Respect and reverence are encouraged in the Papal state. Sleeveless shirts and short pants or skirts are not allowed within the Vatican’s border. Latin enthusiasts will love the fact that the city’s official language is Latin aside from Italian; even the Latin instructions in ATMs are worth checking out. English is also widely spoken. Around a thousand people who live within Vatican City are dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards. The lay workers live outside the Vatican. Anyone who wants to see the Pope Benedict XVI can view the usual blessing from his apartment on Sundays or during formal appearance on Wednesdays.