Vatican City holds the remarkable distinction of being the world's smallest country by both area and population. This tiny sovereign state, completely surrounded by Rome, Italy, is home to the Pope and serves as the spiritual center of the Roman Catholic Church. Despite its minuscule size, Vatican City packs an incredible amount of history, art, and cultural significance into its 0.17 square miles.
1. It's Smaller Than Most City Parks
At just 0.17 square miles (0.44 square kilometers), Vatican City is so small that you could walk across it in about 20 minutes! To put this in perspective, it's smaller than New York's Central Park (1.3 square miles) and even smaller than many university campuses. The entire country could fit inside New York's Central Park about 7.6 times. Despite its tiny size, it contains some of the world's most famous landmarks, including St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.
2. A Population Smaller Than a High School
Vatican City has a population of approximately 825 people, making it the least populous country in the world. This is smaller than many high schools! However, only about 450 people actually live within the Vatican walls permanently. The rest are temporary residents, including diplomats, Swiss Guards, and clergy. Interestingly, Vatican citizenship is not based on birth but is granted to those who work for the Holy See and can be revoked when employment ends.
3. The World's Only Country Without a Hospital
Despite being a fully independent country, Vatican City is the only sovereign state without its own hospital. Residents and visitors who need medical care must go to hospitals in Rome, Italy. However, the Vatican does have a small medical clinic that provides basic first aid and emergency care. This unique situation highlights how Vatican City relies on its larger neighbor, Italy, for many essential services while maintaining its political independence.
4. A Military Force of Just 135 Soldiers
The Swiss Guard, Vatican City's military force, consists of only 135 soldiers - making it the smallest army in the world. These guards, who must be Swiss Catholic men between 19-30 years old, are responsible for protecting the Pope and the Vatican. Their distinctive Renaissance-era uniforms, designed by Michelangelo, are instantly recognizable. Despite their small numbers, they're highly trained and have been protecting the Vatican since 1506, making them one of the oldest military units in continuous operation.
5. The World's Most Valuable Real Estate Per Square Foot
Vatican City contains some of the most valuable real estate in the world. The Vatican Museums alone house one of the largest art collections globally, including priceless works by Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. The Sistine Chapel, with its famous ceiling painted by Michelangelo, is considered one of the most important artistic achievements in human history. If you were to calculate the value of all the art, architecture, and historical treasures per square foot, Vatican City would likely be worth more than any other piece of real estate on Earth.
Test Your Geography Knowledge
Speaking of small countries, did you know that many of the world's smallest countries are island nations in the Pacific and Caribbean? Try our geography quiz and see if you can identify the capital cities and flags of microstates and small countries around the world!
Want to learn more about unique countries? Check out our Japan spotlight for another fascinating country profile.