Smallest Country In The World

Vatican City - 0.2 square miles - The world's smallest state, the Vatican has a population of 770, none of whom are permanent residents. The tiny country which surrounds St. Peter's Basilica is the spiritual center for the world's Roman Catholics (over 1 billion strong). Also known as the Holy See, Vatican City is surrounded by Rome, Italy.

The Vatican City, officially called The Holy See, is the smallest country in the world and is located within a walled area of the Italian capital city of Rome. Its area is only about .17 square miles (.44 square km) and it has a July 2009 population estimate of 826, but many more commute into the area for work. The Vatican City officially came into existence in 1929 after the Lateran Treaty with Italy. Its government type is considered ecclesiastical and its chief of state is the Catholic Pope, Pope Vatican Museum    Vatican Gardens Catican From The Tiber River   St. Peter's Basilica rooftop statues, Vatican The main street that runs to the Vatican is called the Via della Conciliazione. Visitors to Rome can enjoy a fabulous view of St. Peter's Cathedral from this attractive street.     Vatican City is surrounded by a fortress which, over the years, protected the pope      from his enemies. A tunnel connects Vatican City to Castel Saint'Angelo and was      used as an escape route during turbulent times.