Vatican City

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Geography

The Vatican City, one of the European microstates, is situated on the Vatican Hill in the north-western part of Rome, several hundred metres west of the Tiber river, on the latter's right bank. Its borders (3.2km in total, all with Italy) closely follow the city wall constructed to protect the Pope from outside attack. The situation is more complex at the famous St. Peter's Square in front of the St. Peter's Basilica, where the correct border just outside the elipse formed by Bernini's colonade. It is the smallest sovereign state in the world at 0.44 km² (108.7 acres). According to the Lateran Treaties, certain properties of the Holy See, although not being part of the territory of the City State, enjoy the privilege of extraterritoriality (e.g. Major Basilicas, Curial and diocesan offices, Castel Gandolfo). The Pope is the Head of State, though he governs through the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City.

Related Topics:
European microstates - Rome - Tiber - Italy - City wall - St. Peter's Square - St. Peter's Basilica - Bernini - Acres - Properties - Extraterritoriality - Castel Gandolfo

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Its climate is naturally the same as Rome's; a temperate, Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters from September to mid-May and hot, dry summers from May to September.

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