How Big is the Vatican?
Established in 1929, Vatican is a city-state ruled by the Pope, who is the bishop of Rome. 
This state is generally described as monarchical, sacerdotal and ecclesiastical. People can find here the Apostolic Palace, which is the official residence of the Pope. It has an estimated population of 826. The official language of the place is Italian. Aside from these and other important details, it is good to know the size of Vatican City.
The Size of Vatican City
The total area covered by Vatican City is approximately 0.44 square kilometers or 110 acres. It is 0.6 miles or 1.05 kilometers long and 0.5 miles or 0.85 kilometers wide. In terms of land area, it is the smallest country worldwide. Furthermore, it has a population of more than 800. The Holy See’s official documents are written in Latin, while the Vatican City Ordinances are written in Italian.
Additional Facts and Other Interesting Details
Vatican City gained its independence from the Kingdom of Italy when the Lateran City was signed on February 11, 1929. The currency used here is Euro, while the calling code is +379. Its national anthem is entitled “Inno e Marcia Pontificale” in Italian, which is translated into English as “Pontifical Anthem and March.” Almost half of the City is comprised of the Giardini Vaticani or the Vatican Gardens. They are filled with sculptures, fountains as well as other classy decorations.
The head of government or the head of state is officially designated to the Pope. This position is usually addressed as the Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City. The President of the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State will serve as the principal subordinate official of the Pope. Starting from 2001, this position has also been referred to as the President of the Governorate of the State of Vatican City.
The official residence of the Pope can be found just off Saint Peter’s Square, specifically at the Papal Apartments of the Papal Palace. This is usually where the Pope meets foreign representatives and carries out his other official responsibilities. In terms of economics, this state has posted revenues of as much as $252 million in 2003. For that same year, the total expenditures of the country reached $264 million.
As of December 31, 2005, 557 individuals have Vatican citizenship not counting the Pope. Meanwhile, 246 individuals reside in the state without official citizenships. A majority of the 557 individuals were clergy. The Papal Swiss Guard has a total 101 members.
