1999 Edition
CIA World Factbook 1999 (Internet Archive)
Introduction
Background
Popes in their secular role ruled much of the Italian peninsula, including Rome, for about a thousand years, until 1870. A dispute between a series of popes and Italy was settled in 1929 by treaties that recognized the Vatican City as an independent sovereignty and gave Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. The US established formal diplomatic relationships with the Vatican in 1984. Present issues in the Vatican concern the ill health of Pope John Paul II, who turns 79 on 20 May 1999, inter-religious dialogue and reconciliation, and the adjustment of church doctrine in an era of rapid change. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Roman Catholic faith.
Geography
Area
total: 0.44 sq km land: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area--comparative
about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation extremes
lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Environment--current issues
NA
Environment--international agreements
party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Geographic coordinates
41 54 N, 12 27 E
Geography--note
urban; landlocked; enclave of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13 buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence) enjoy extraterritorial rights
Irrigated land
0 sq km (1993)
Land boundaries
total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km
Land use
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% permanent pastures: 0% forests and woodland: 0% other: 100% (urban area)
Location
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Map references
Europe
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
NA
Natural resources
none
Terrain
low hill
People and Society
Ethnic groups
Italians, Swiss, other
Languages
Italian, Latin, various other languages
Nationality
noun: none adjective: none
Population
870 (July 1999 est.)
Population growth rate
1.15% (1999 est.)
Religions
Roman Catholic
Government
Capital
Vatican City
Constitution
Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Country name
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)
Data code
VT
Executive branch
chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978) head of government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal SODANO (since 2 December 1990) cabinet: Pontifical Commission appointed by the pope elections: pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope election results: Karol WOJTYLA elected pope
Flag description
two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the crossed keys of Saint Peter and the papal miter centered in the white band
Government type
monarchical-sacerdotal state
Independence
11 February 1929 (from Italy)
International organization participation
IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer) Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Corrine C. BOGGS embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box F, APO AE 09624
Judicial branch
none; normally handled by Italy Political parties and leaders: none Political pressure groups and leaders: none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
Legal system
NA
Legislative branch
unicameral Pontifical Commission
National holiday
Installation Day of the Pope (John Paul II), 22 October (1978)
Suffrage
limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Economy
Budget
revenues: $175.5 million expenditures: $175 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994)
Currency
1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi
Economic aid--recipient
none
Economy--overview
This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Electricity--consumption
NA kWh
Electricity--exports
NA kWh
Electricity--imports
NA kWh; note?electricity supplied by Italy
Electricity--production
0 kWh
Electricity--production by source
fossil fuel: NA% hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA%
Exchange rates
Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1--1,688.7 (January 1998), 1,736.2 (1998), 1,703.1 (1997), 1,542.9 (1996), 1,628.9 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994); note--the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely
Fiscal year
calendar year
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%
Industries
printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Labor force
NA
Labor force--by occupation
dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside the Vatican
Population below poverty line
NA%
Communications
Radio broadcast stations
AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0
Radios
NA
Telephone system
automatic exchange domestic: tied into Italian system international: uses Italian system
Telephones
2,000
Television broadcast stations
1 (1996)
Televisions
NA
Transportation
Airports
none
Heliports
1 (1998 est.)
Highways
none; all city streets Ports and harbors: none
Railways
total: 862 m; note--connects to Italy's network at Rome's Saint Peter's station narrow gauge: 862 m 1.435-m gauge
Military and Security
Military--note
defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City
Transnational Issues
Disputes--international
none