The smallest country in the world by both area and population is Vatican City. Located within the city of Rome, Italy, Vatican City is an independent city-state that serves as the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church.
Geographic Size
Vatican City covers an area of only 44 hectares (110 acres), which is about 0.17 square miles. This makes it significantly smaller than many cities and even some large urban parks. Despite its small size, Vatican City holds immense historical, cultural, and religious significance as the home of the Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
Population
With a population of around 800 to 1,000 people, Vatican City is also the smallest country by population. However, only about half of these residents are actual citizens of Vatican City. The majority of its citizens are clergy, including cardinals and priests, along with members of the Swiss Guard, a small military force responsible for the Pope’s safety. The remainder are laypeople working within the Vatican.
Government and Independence
Vatican City is a theocratic state, meaning its government is run by religious officials, with the Pope serving as both the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church and the sovereign of the city-state. Vatican City gained independence from Italy in 1929 with the signing of the Lateran Treaty, making it a fully autonomous state under the authority of the Pope. It is the only country in the world where Latin is the official language for official documents, though Italian is commonly used in daily communication.
Key Landmarks
Despite its small size, Vatican City is home to some of the most important and well-known religious and cultural landmarks in the world, including:
- St. Peter’s Basilica, one of the largest churches globally, built on the traditional site of St. Peter’s tomb.
- St. Peter’s Square, a massive open space that hosts thousands of visitors during papal addresses.
- The Vatican Museums, which house vast collections of art, including the Sistine Chapel with Michelangelo’s famous ceiling frescoes.
Economy
The economy of Vatican City is unique, as it is primarily funded by donations from Roman Catholics around the world. This revenue, known as Peter’s Pence, is supplemented by the sale of postage stamps, coins, souvenirs, and admission fees to the Vatican Museums. Vatican City does not have a formal taxation system and relies heavily on these income streams to support its operations.
Global Influence
Although small in size, Vatican City wields considerable influence due to its role as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, which has over 1.3 billion followers worldwide. The Pope’s decisions, speeches, and policies can have significant social and political implications, influencing international issues such as peace, human rights, and global justice.
