Vatican

source : World Fact Book 2008 (October 2008)

SEE UPDATED INFORMATION HERE

   Introduction    Holy See (Vatican City)
Background:
Definition Field Listing 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.
   Geography    Holy See (Vatican City)
Location:
Definition Field Listing Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Geographic coordinates:
Definition Field Listing 41 54 N, 12 27 E
Map references:
Definition Field Listing Europe
Area:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order total: 0.44 sq km
land: 0.44 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative:
Definition Field Listing about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Land boundaries:
Definition Field Listing total: 3.2 km
border countries: Italy 3.2 km
Coastline:
Definition Field Listing 0 km (landlocked)
Maritime claims:
Definition Field Listing none (landlocked)
Climate:
Definition Field Listing temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Terrain:
Definition Field Listing urban; low hill
Elevation extremes:
Definition Field Listing lowest point: unnamed location 19 m
highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Natural resources:
Definition Field Listing none
Land use:
Definition Field Listing arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
other: 100% (urban area) (2005)
Irrigated land:
Definition Field Listing 0 sq km
Natural hazards:
Definition Field Listing NA
Environment - current issues:
Definition Field Listing NA
Environment - international agreements:
Definition Field Listing party to: Climate Change
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Geography - note:
Definition Field Listing landlocked; enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; 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)
   People    Holy See (Vatican City)
Population:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 824 (July 2008 est.)
Population growth rate:
Definition Field Listing 0.003% (2008 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order NA
Nationality:
Definition Field Listing noun: none
adjective: none
Ethnic groups:
Definition Field Listing Italians, Swiss, other
Religions:
Definition Field Listing Roman Catholic
Languages:
Definition Field Listing Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Literacy:
Definition Field Listing definition: NA
total population: 100%
male: 100%
female: 100%
   Government    Holy See (Vatican City)
Country name:
Definition Field Listing conventional long form: The Holy See (State of the Vatican City)
conventional short form: Holy See (Vatican City)
local long form: Santa Sede (Stato della Citta del Vaticano)
local short form: Santa Sede (Citta del Vaticano)
Government type:
Definition Field Listing ecclesiastical
Capital:
Definition Field Listing name: Vatican City
geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Administrative divisions:
Definition Field Listing none
Independence:
Definition Field Listing 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 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
National holiday:
Definition Field Listing Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005)
Constitution:
Definition Field Listing new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)
Legal system:
Definition Field Listing based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it
Suffrage:
Definition Field Listing limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Executive branch:
Definition Field Listing chief of state: Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005)
head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006)
cabinet: Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope
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
election results: Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI
Legislative branch:
Definition Field Listing unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City
Judicial branch:
Definition Field Listing 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 Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946
Political parties and leaders:
Definition Field Listing none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Definition Field Listing none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
International organization participation:
Definition Field Listing CE (observer), IAEA, IOM (observer), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Definition Field Listing chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI
chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121
FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Definition Field Listing chief of mission: Ambassador Mary Ann GLENDON
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) 575-8346
Flag description:
Definition Field Listing two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) 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
   Economy    Holy See (Vatican City)
Economy - overview:
Definition Field Listing 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.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Definition Field Listing Rank Order $NA
Labor force:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order NA
Labor force - by occupation:
Definition Field Listing note: essentially services with a small amount of industry; nearly all dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and the approximately 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican
Population below poverty line:
Definition Field Listing NA%
Budget:
Definition Field Listing revenues: $310 million
expenditures: $307 million (2006)
Industries:
Definition Field Listing printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps; a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Electricity - production:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order NA kWh
Electricity - imports:
Definition Field Listing NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy
Currency (code):
Definition Field Listing euro (EUR)
Exchange rates:
Definition Field Listing euros per US dollar - 0.7345 (2007), 0.7964 (2006), 0.8041 (2005), 0.8054 (2004), 0.886 (2003)
Fiscal year:
Definition Field Listing calendar year
   Communications    Holy See (Vatican City)
Telephones - main lines in use:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 5,120 (2005)
Telephone system:
Definition Field Listing general assessment: automatic digital exchange
domestic: connected via fiber optic cable to Telecom Italia network
international: country code - 39; uses Italian system
Radio broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing AM 4, FM 3, shortwave 2 (2004)
Television broadcast stations:
Definition Field Listing 1 (2005)
Internet country code:
Definition Field Listing .va
Internet hosts:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 20 (2007)
Internet users:
Definition Field Listing Rank Order 93 (2000)

   Military    Holy See (Vatican City)
Military branches:
Definition Field Listing Pontifical Swiss Guard (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera Pontificia) (2007)
Military - note:
Definition Field Listing defense is the responsibility of Italy; ceremonial and limited security duties performed by Pontifical Swiss Guard
   Transnational Issues    Holy See (Vatican City)
Disputes - international:
Definition Field Listing none



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Source : CIA's World Fact Book 2008

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