ARCHIVE // VA // 1995

Holy See (Vatican City)

1995 Edition — sovereign

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Communications
Broadcast media (Radio) [time series]
broadcast stations: AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0 radios: NA
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
2,000 telephones; automatic exchange local: NA intercity: tied into Italian system international: uses Italian system
Broadcast media (Television) [time series]
broadcast stations: 0 televisions: NA
Defense Forces
Note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City HONDURAS
Economy
Budget [time series]
revenues: $169 million expenditures: $167.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1993)
Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]
1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi
Electricity [time series]
capacity: 5,000 kW standby production: power supplied by Italy consumption per capita: NA kWh (1992)
Exchange rates [time series]
Vatican lire (VLit) per US$1 - 1,609.5 (January 1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira which circulates freely
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
Industries [time series]
printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Economic overview (Overview) [time series]
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.
Geography
Area [time series]
total area: 0.44 sq km land area: 0.44 sq km comparative area: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC
Climate [time series]
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)
Coastline [time series]
0 km (landlocked)
Environment - current issues (Environment) [time series]
current issues: NA natural hazards: NA international agreements: signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]
none
Irrigated land [time series]
0 sq km
Land boundaries [time series]
total 3.2 km, Italy 3.2 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% meadows and pastures: 0% forest and woodland: 0% other: 100%
Location [time series]
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Map references [time series]
Europe
Maritime claims [time series]
none; landlocked
Natural resources [time series]
none
Note [time series]
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
Terrain [time series]
low hill
Government
Capital [time series]
Vatican City
Constitution [time series]
Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Digraph [time series]
VT
Diplomatic representation in the US (Diplomatic representation in US) [time series]
chief of mission: Apostolic Pro-Nuncio Archbishop Agostino CACCIAVILLAN chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (Karol WOJTYLA; since 16 October 1978); election last held 16 October 1978 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); results - Karol WOJTYLA was elected for life by the College of Cardinals head of government: Secretary of State Archbishop Angelo Cardinal SODANO (since NA 1991) cabinet: Pontifical Commission; appointed by Pope
Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]
[39] (6) 6380159
Flag [time series]
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
Independence [time series]
11 February 1929 (from Italy)
Judicial branch [time series]
none; normally handled by Italy
Legal system [time series]
NA
Legislative branch [time series]
unicameral Pontifical Commission
International organization participation (Member of) [time series]
IAEA, ICFTU, INTELSAT, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Country name (Names) [time series]
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)
National holiday [time series]
Installation Day of the Pope, 22 October (1978) (John Paul II) note: Pope John Paul II was elected on 16 October 1978
Political parties (Other political or pressure groups) [time series]
none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
none
Suffrage [time series]
limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Government type (Type) [time series]
monarchical-sacerdotal state
Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN embassy: Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome 00153 mailing address: PSC 59, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (6) 46741
People
Birth rate [time series]
NA
Death rate [time series]
NA
Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]
Italians, Swiss
Infant mortality rate [time series]
NA
Labor force [time series]
NA by occupation: dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside the Vatican
Languages [time series]
Italian, Latin, various other languages
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
NA
Nationality [time series]
noun: none adjective: none
Net migration rate [time series]
NA
Population [time series]
830 (July 1995 est.)
Population growth rate [time series]
1.15% (1995 est.)
Religions [time series]
Roman Catholic
Total fertility rate [time series]
NA
Transportation
Airports [time series]
none
Roadways (Highways) [time series]
none; all city streets
Ports [time series]
none
Railways (Railroads) [time series]
total: 862 meters; note - connects to Italy's network at Rome's Saint Peter's station narrow gauge: 862 meters 1.435-m gauge