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) and the transmitters site of the Vatican Radio in Santa Maria di Galeria.
Population:
900 (July 2002 est.)
Languages:
Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Geographic coordinates:
41° 54' 12'' N, 12° 27' 13'' E
Area total:
0.44 sq. km
Land area:
0.44 sq. km
Water area:
0 sq. km
Total land boundaries:
3.2 km
Borders with neighbor countries:
Italy 3.2 km
Coastline:
0 km (landlocked) Even though Vatican City has no direct access to the sea, by virtue of the Barcelona Declaration of 1921, it is allowed to sail its own vessels flying the papal flag. However, the Vatican does not avail itself of this right at this time.
Elevation extremes:
unnamed location 19 m - unnamed location 75 m
Internet country code:
.va
Currency:
euro (EUR)
Name - conventional long form:
The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
Name - conventional short form:
Holy See (Vatican City)
Name - local long form:
Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
Name - local short form:
Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Independence:
11 February 1929 (from Italy) 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.
Constitution:
Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Government type:
ecclesiastical
National holiday:
Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005)