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Vatican City (Holy See)
Rome, Italy |
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Layout of Vatican City, Rome, Italy; |
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Flag of Vatican City |
Coat of Arms of Vatican City |
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The flag of Vatican City has two vertical bands of yellow and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band. |
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Selected Facts about Vatican City (Holy See) |
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 religious freedom, international development, the environment, the Middle East, China, the decline of religion in Europe, terrorism, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About one billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith. |
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| General Location |
Southern Europe,
an enclave of Rome (Italy) |
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| Area |
| Total: 0.44 sq km |
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| Area - Comparative |
| About 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
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| Population |
| 824 (July 2008 est.) |
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| Languages |
| Italian, Latin, French, various other languages |
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| Country name |
Conventional long form:
The Holy See
(State of the Vatican City) |
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Conventional short form:
Holy See (Vatican City) |
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| Economy - overview |
This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual contribution (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world; by the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; by fees for admission to museums; and by 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. |
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View of St. Peter's Square from the Dome of St. Peter's Basilica |
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| Land boundaries |
| Total: 3.2 km |
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| Geography |
| Landlocked |
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Enclave in Rome, Italy,
it is the world's smallest state. |
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| Beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence) |
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| Independence |
February 11, 1929 (from Italy)
The three treaties signed with Italy on February 11, 1929 acknowledged, among other things, 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. |
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| National holiday |
| Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005) |
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| Suffrage (the right to vote) |
| Limited to cardinals less than 80 years old. |
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| Elections |
| Pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope. |
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| Internet |
| Internet hosts: 20 (2007) |
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| Internet users: 93 (2000) |
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| Labor force by occupation |
| Essential services with a small amount of industry; nearly all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and the approximately 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican. |
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| Budget |
| Revenues: $310 million |
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| Expenditures: $307 million (2006) |
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| Industries |
| Printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities |
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| Currency (code) |
| Euro (EUR) |
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| Military |
Branches:
Pontifical Swiss Guard
(Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) (2007) |
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| Defense of Vatican City is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard. |
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Information extracted from: CIA - The World Factbook
Data extracted is accurate as of June 2008 |
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