The Vatican City is situated entirely within the city of Rome, sprawling over a hill west of the River Tiber, and separated from the rest of the city by a wall. Vatican City comprises St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Square, the Vatican and the Vatican Gardens.

The Vatican City is famous for its magnificent St Peter’s Basilica. Near St Peter’s stands the Vatican Palace, the Pope’s residence. Among the principal features of the Palace are the Stanze, the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum, containing major works of art and valuable pictures.

0.44 sq km (0.17 sq miles).

1,000 (UN estimate 2003).

2,272.7 per sq km.

The State of the Vatican City came into existence in 1929.

Italian and Latin are the official languages, though most international languages are spoken to some extent.

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

220 volts, 50Hz.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI since 2005.