ARCHIVE // VA // 2004

Holy See (Vatican City)

2004 Edition — sovereign

1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
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Communications
Internet country code [time series]
.va
Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]
9 (2004)
Internet users [time series]
NA
Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]
AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998)
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
general assessment: automatic exchange domestic: tied into Italian system international: country code - 39; uses Italian system
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
NA
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
NA
Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]
1 (1996)
Economy
Budget [time series]
revenues: $245.2 million expenditures: $260.4 million, including capital expenditures of NA (2002)
Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]
euro (EUR)
Exchange rates (Currency code) [time series]
EUR
Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]
none
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an annual contribution from Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, as well as by special collections (known as Peter's Pence); the sale of postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; fees for admission to museums; and the sale of publications. Investments and real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Electricity - consumption [time series]
NA kWh
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh
Electricity - imports [time series]
NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy
Electricity - production [time series]
NA kWh
Exchange rates [time series]
euros per US dollar - 0.886 (2003),1.1324 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: NA highest 10%: NA
Industries [time series]
printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps, a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities
Labor force [time series]
NA
Labor force - by occupation [time series]
essentially services with a small amount of industry; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA
Geography
Area [time series]
total: 0.44 sq km land: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
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)
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point: unnamed location 75 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
NA
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
party to: none of the selected agreements signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification
Geographic coordinates [time series]
41 54 N, 12 27 E
Geography - note [time series]
urban; landlocked; enclave in 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 [time series]
0 sq km (1998 est.)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (2001)
Location [time series]
Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)
Map references [time series]
Europe
Maritime claims [time series]
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards [time series]
NA
Natural resources [time series]
none
Terrain [time series]
low hill
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
none
Capital [time series]
Vatican City
Constitution [time series]
new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope John Paul II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)
Country name [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)
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant) embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 575-8346
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 333-7121 FAX: [1] (202) 337-4036
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978) head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 1 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 (Flag description) [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
Government type [time series]
ecclesiastical
Independence [time series]
11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century
International organization participation [time series]
CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer)
Judicial branch [time series]
there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pius XII on 1 May 1946
Legal system [time series]
based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it
Legislative branch [time series]
unicameral Pontifical Commission
National holiday [time series]
Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978)
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
none
Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]
none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
Suffrage [time series]
limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Introduction
Background [time series]
Popes in their secular role ruled portions of the Italian peninsula for more than a thousand years until the mid 19th century, when many of the Papal States were seized by the newly united Kingdom of Italy. In 1870, the pope's holdings were further circumscribed when Rome itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present concerns of the Holy See include religious freedom, international development, the Middle East, terrorism, the failing health of Pope JOHN PAUL II, interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the application of church doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.
Military
Military - note [time series]
defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
Swiss Guards Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera)
People
Ethnic groups [time series]
Italians, Swiss, other
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]
NA
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]
NA
Languages [time series]
Italian, Latin, French, various other languages
Literacy [time series]
definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA female: NA
Nationality [time series]
noun: none adjective: none
Population [time series]
921 (July 2004 est.)
Population growth rate [time series]
0.01% (2004 est.)
Religions [time series]
Roman Catholic
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Transportation
Airports [time series]
none (2003 est.)
Roadways (Highways) [time series]
none; all city streets
Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]
none