Holy See (Vatican City) (2002) | Ashmore and Cartier Islands (2006) | |
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Administrative divisions | none | - |
Airports | none (2001) | - |
Area | total: 0.44 sq km
land: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km |
total: 5 sq km
land: 5 sq km water: 0 sq km note: includes Ashmore Reef (West, Middle, and East Islets) and Cartier Island |
Area - comparative | about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC | about eight times the size of The Mall in Washington, DC |
Background | 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 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. | These uninhabited islands came under Australian authority in 1931; formal administration began two years later. Ashmore Reef supports a rich and diverse avian and marine habitat; in 1983, it became a National Nature Reserve. Cartier Island, a former bombing range, is now a marine reserve. |
Budget | revenues: $209.6 million
expenditures: $198.5 million, including capital expenditures of $NA (1997) |
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Capital | Vatican City | - |
Climate | temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot, dry summers (May to September) | tropical |
Coastline | 0 km (landlocked) | 74.1 km |
Constitution | Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968) | - |
Country name | 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) |
conventional long form: Territory of Ashmore and Cartier Islands
conventional short form: Ashmore and Cartier Islands |
Currency | euro (EUR); Italian lira (ITL) | - |
Dependency status | - | territory of Australia; administered by the Australian Department of Transport and Regional Services |
Diplomatic representation from the US | chief of mission: Ambassador R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON
embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00162 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box F, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674-3428 FAX: [39] (06) 5758346 |
none (territory of Australia) |
Diplomatic representation in the US | 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 |
none (territory of Australia) |
Disputes - international | none | Indonesian groups challenge Australia's claim to Ashmore Reef; Australia has closed the surrounding waters to Indonesian traditional fishing and created a national park in the region while continuing to prospect for hydrocarbons in the vicinity |
Economic aid - recipient | none | - |
Economy - overview | This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by contributions (known as Peter's Pence) from Roman Catholics throughout the world, the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to, or somewhat better than, those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome. | no economic activity |
Electricity - consumption | NA kWh | - |
Electricity - imports | NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy | - |
Electricity - production by source | fossil fuel: NA%
hydro: NA% nuclear: NA% other: NA% |
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Elevation extremes | lowest point: unnamed location 19 m
highest point: unnamed location 75 m |
lowest point: Indian Ocean 0 m
highest point: unnamed location 3 m |
Environment - current issues | NA | NA |
Environment - international agreements | party to: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification |
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Ethnic groups | Italians, Swiss, other | - |
Exchange rates | euros per US dollar - 1.1324 (January 2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854 (2000), 0.9386 (1999); Vatican lire per US dollar - 2,099 (2000), 1817.2 (1999), 1,736.2 (1998), 1,703.1 (1997); note - the Vatican lira is at par with the Italian lira; the Vatican started using euros in 2002 in conjunction with Italy at a fixed rate of 1,936.17 lire per euro | - |
Executive branch | chief of state: Pope JOHN PAUL II (since 16 October 1978)
head of government: Secretary of State Cardinal Angelo SODANO (since 2 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 |
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Fiscal year | calendar year | - |
Flag description | 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 | the flag of Australia is used |
Geographic coordinates | 41 54 N, 12 27 E | 12 14 S, 123 05 E |
Geography - note | 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 | Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve established in August 1983 |
Heliports | 1 (2002) | - |
Highways | none; all city streets | - |
Household income or consumption by percentage share | lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA% |
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Imports | NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy | - |
Independence | 11 February 1929 (from Italy)
note: on 11 February 1929, three treaties were signed with Italy which, among other things, recognized 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 |
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Industries | printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities | - |
International organization participation | CE (observer), IAEA, ICFTU, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, UPU, WHO (observer), WIPO, WToO (observer), WTrO (observer) | - |
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) | NA | - |
Irrigated land | 0 sq km (1998 est.) | 0 sq km |
Judicial branch | 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 |
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Labor force | NA | - |
Labor force - by occupation | agriculture NA%, industry NA%, services NA%; note - dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live outside the Vatican | - |
Land boundaries | total: 3.2 km
border countries: Italy 3.2 km |
0 km |
Land use | arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area) (1998 est.) |
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (all grass and sand) (2005) |
Languages | Italian, Latin, French, various other languages | - |
Legal system | based on canon law and revisions to it | the laws of the Commonwealth of Australia and the laws of the Northern Territory of Australia, where applicable, apply |
Legislative branch | unicameral Pontifical Commission | - |
Literacy | definition: NA
total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA% |
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Location | Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy) | Southeastern Asia, islands in the Indian Ocean, midway between northwestern Australia and Timor island |
Map references | Europe | Southeast Asia |
Maritime claims | none (landlocked) | territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm |
Military - note | defense is the responsibility of Italy; Swiss Papal Guards are posted at entrances to the Vatican City to provide security and protect the Pope | defense is the responsibility of Australia; periodic visits by the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force |
Military branches | Swiss Guards Corps (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera) | - |
National holiday | Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978) | - |
Nationality | noun: none
adjective: none |
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Natural hazards | NA | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards |
Natural resources | none | fish |
People - note | - | the landing of illegal immigrants from Indonesia's Rote Island has become an ongoing problem |
Political parties and leaders | none | - |
Political pressure groups and leaders | none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers) | - |
Population | 900 (July 2002 est.) | no indigenous inhabitants
note: Indonesian fishermen are allowed access to the lagoon and fresh water at Ashmore Reef's West Island (July 2006 est.) |
Population below poverty line | NA% | - |
Population growth rate | 1.15% (2002 est.) | - |
Ports and harbors | none | - |
Radio broadcast stations | AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998) | - |
Radios | NA | - |
Railways | total: 0.86 km
standard gauge: 0.86 km 1.435-m gauge note: a spur of the Italian Railways system, serving Rome's Saint Peter's station (2001 est.) |
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Religions | Roman Catholic | - |
Suffrage | limited to cardinals less than 80 years old | - |
Telephone system | general assessment: automatic exchange
domestic: tied into Italian system international: uses Italian system |
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Telephones - main lines in use | NA | - |
Telephones - mobile cellular | NA | - |
Television broadcast stations | 1 (1996) | - |
Terrain | low hill | low with sand and coral |
Waterways | none | - |