Vatican City - Tourism and Travel

Vatican City State is the smallest sovereign state on Earth and the home of the Pope. The Holy See, the government of the Catholic Church, operates from Vatican City.

Vatican City has an area of only about one fifth of a square mile (one half of a kilometer) and a population of about 800.

It is located inside the city of Rome, Italy on a hill west of the Tiber River.

Italian and Latin are official languages.

Vatican City derives its income from tourism, investments and voluntary contributions.

Saint Peter's Basilica is a famous tourist attraction.

The beautiful Vatican Gardens are also popular.

Although Vatican City is not part of the European Union, it uses the euro as its official currency.

Vatican City State was founded in 1929, after Italy and the Holy See signed the Lateran Pacts, which recognized Vatican City as a sovereign state, distinct from the Holy See. International organizations consider Vatican City and the Holy See to be distinct entities.

The Holy See is a non-member observer state of the United Nations. Vatican City does not have UN membership.

Vatican City is a papal state, It is directly ruled by the Pope, who is the head of state.