Military - note (Defense note) [time series]

defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to Vatican City

Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]

AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 0

Radios [time series]

NA

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

automatic exchange domestic: tied into Italian system international: uses Italian system

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones) [time series]

2,000

Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]

0

Televisions [time series]

NA Defense

Budget [time series]

revenues: $175.5 million expenditures: $175 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1994)

Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]

1 Vatican lira (VLit) = 100 centesimi

Economic 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.

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 - 1,583.8 (January 1996), 1,629.6 (1995), 1,612.4 (1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991); 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

Labor force [time series]

NA by occupation: dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers who live outside the Vatican

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

Geographic coordinates [time series]

41 54 N, 12 27 E

Geography - note (Geographic 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

Disputes - international (International disputes) [time series]

none

Irrigated land [time series]

0 sq km

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 3.2 km border country: 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

Terrain [time series]

low hill lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m

Capital [time series]

Vatican City

Constitution [time series]

Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)

Data code [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) was 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); 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) was appointed by the pope cabinet: Pontifical Commission was appointed by Pope

Diplomatic representation in the US (FAX) [time series]

[39] (6) 5758346, 57300682

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)

International organization participation [time series]

IAEA, ICFTU, Intelsat, IOM (observer), ITU, OAS (observer), OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer)

Judicial branch [time series]

none; normally handled by Italy

Legal system [time series]

NA

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral Pontifical Commission

Country name (Name of country) [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 of government) [time series]

monarchical-sacerdotal state

Diplomatic representation from the US (US diplomatic representation) [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Raymond L. FLYNN embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via Delle Terme Deciane 26, Rome 00153 mailing address: PSC 59, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (6) 46741

Ethnic groups (Ethnic divisions) [time series]

Italians, Swiss

Languages [time series]

Italian, Latin, various other languages

Nationality [time series]

noun: none adjective: none

Population [time series]

840 (July 1996 est.)

Population growth rate [time series]

1.15% (1996 est.)

Religions [time series]

Roman Catholic

Airports [time series]

none

Roadways (Highways) [time series]

none; all city streets

Ports [time series]

none

Railways [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