Have you ever wondered where the world’s tiniest nation is? The world is home to many little states, from isolated city-states to tiny islands, some of which may surprise you. Although the world is full of pint-sized nations, Vatican City holds the crown when it comes to being the world’s smallest country.
How Is Vatican City The World’s Smallest Country?
Vatican City or the Holy See is a sovereign city-state that is surrounded entirely by the city of Rome, Italy. It has a total area of just 0.17 square miles, or 0.44 square kilometres, making it the smallest country in the world by land area.
It was established in 1929 under the terms of the Lateran Treaty, which was signed between the Holy See and Italy. The treaty recognised Vatican City as an independent and sovereign state and also established the Catholic Church’s control over various holy sites in and around Rome.
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Here Are More Interesting Facts About This Country
- Vatican City has a population of just over 800 people, making it one of the least populous countries in the world
- The entire country of Vatican City can be walked in just 40 minutes.
- It is the only country in the world that is entirely surrounded by another country, Italy
- The walls and gates surrounding Vatican City were built in the 9th century to protect the city from invaders.
- One of the most famous landmarks is St. Peter’s Basilica, which is one of the largest churches in the world. The basilica was built over the tomb of St. Peter, one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ and the first Bishop of Rome.
- Another important landmark is the Sistine Chapel, which is located within the Vatican Museums. The chapel is famous for its stunning frescoes painted by the Renaissance artist Michelangelo.
Vatican City is a small but significant country that holds great religious and cultural importance in the world. Its landmarks attract millions of visitors every year. The country’s role as the headquarters of the Catholic Church makes it an important player in international affairs.
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Cover image credits: Wikimedia Commons