Europe

Vatican City

Vatican City Europe Southern Europe

Vatican City is the world's smallest independent state, occupying a landlocked enclave of 0.49 km² (0.19 sq mi) within Rome, Italy. Recent estimates place the population at approximately 800 residents, consisting primarily of clergy and members of the Swiss Guard. As an ecclesiastical elective monarchy, it serves as the spiritual and administrative headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church.

Where is Vatican City?

Vatican City

Continent
Europe
Country
Vatican City
Coordinates
41.90°, 12.45°

Population Details

Area
0 km²

Demographics

Quick Facts

Capital
Vatican City
Region
Europe
Area
0 km²
Languages
Italian, Latin
Currency
euro (€)
Timezones
UTC+01:00
UN Member
No

Neighboring Countries

Economy

The economy is non-commercial and unique, supported by the sale of postage stamps, tourist mementos, and fees for admission to the Vatican Museums. Financial contributions from Catholics globally, known as Peter's Pence, also provide significant revenue for the state's operations. The state uses the euro (€) as its official currency and maintains its own banking system, the Institute for the Works of Religion. While traditional GDP growth and unemployment rates are not typically reported, the workforce consists of approximately 4,800 lay employees who commute from Italy.

Society

The literacy rate is estimated at 100 percent, reflecting a population of highly educated clergy and specialized staff. Although specific life expectancy data is generally aligned with Italian statistics, the resident population enjoys exceptional access to healthcare and specialized services. Internet use is universal, and the state manages its own telecommunications and the .va internet domain. Most residents are multilingual, with Italian and Latin serving as the primary languages for administration and official documentation.

Climate & Environment

The territory experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Temperatures typically range from an average low of 3 °C (37 °F) in the winter to highs of 30 °C (86 °F) during the summer months. The urban environment and the greenery of the Vatican Gardens, which sit at an elevation of 78 m (256 ft), influence the local microclimate.

Government & Politics

Government Type
Ecclesiastical elective monarchy; self-described as an "absolute monarchy"
Independence
1929-02-11 (Italy)

Geography

Highest Point
Vatican Gardens (Vatican Hill) (78 m)
Lowest Point
Saint Peter's Square (19 m)
Coastline
0 km

Explore weather and climate data for cities in Vatican City

Monthly averages for Vatican City

January
Fair
Temp
13°C / 5°C
Feels Like
11°C / 3°C
Rain
10days (71 mm) Wet
Sun
6.8h Fair
Humidity
79% Humid
February
Fair
Temp
15°C / 6°C
Feels Like
13°C / 4°C
Rain
7days (56 mm) Good
Sun
8.4h Good
Humidity
76% Humid
March
Good
Temp
17°C / 8°C
Feels Like
15°C / 5°C
Rain
11days (80 mm) Wet
Sun
9.6h Good
Humidity
73% Muggy
April
Good
Temp
20°C / 10°C
Feels Like
19°C / 8°C
Rain
9days (54 mm) Wet
Sun
11.4h Excellent
Humidity
71% Muggy
May best
Excellent
Temp
25°C / 14°C
Feels Like
25°C / 14°C
Rain
11days (70 mm) Wet
Sun
12.5h Excellent
Humidity
70% Muggy
June best
Excellent
Temp
30°C / 19°C
Feels Like
32°C / 20°C
Rain
5days (33 mm) Good
Sun
13.6h Excellent
Humidity
63% Muggy
July
Good
Temp
33°C / 22°C
Feels Like
36°C / 24°C
Rain
2days (10 mm) Excellent
Sun
13.9h Excellent
Humidity
58% Moderate
August
Good
Temp
33°C / 22°C
Feels Like
36°C / 24°C
Rain
6days (40 mm) Good
Sun
12.8h Excellent
Humidity
61% Muggy
September best
Excellent
Temp
28°C / 18°C
Feels Like
30°C / 19°C
Rain
9days (97 mm) Wet
Sun
10.8h Excellent
Humidity
70% Muggy
October best
Excellent
Temp
23°C / 14°C
Feels Like
23°C / 14°C
Rain
10days (95 mm) Wet
Sun
9h Good
Humidity
76% Humid
November
Good
Temp
18°C / 10°C
Feels Like
17°C / 8°C
Rain
11days (102 mm) Wet
Sun
7.5h Good
Humidity
79% Humid
December
Fair
Temp
14°C / 7°C
Feels Like
13°C / 4°C
Rain
11days (110 mm) Wet
Sun
6.5h Fair
Humidity
81% Humid
Month Temp Feels Like Rain Sun Humidity Status Details
January 13°C / 5°C 11°C / 3°C 10days (71 mm) Wet 6.8h Fair 79% Humid Fair View Details
February 15°C / 6°C 13°C / 4°C 7days (56 mm) Good 8.4h Good 76% Humid Fair View Details
March 17°C / 8°C 15°C / 5°C 11days (80 mm) Wet 9.6h Good 73% Muggy Good View Details
April 20°C / 10°C 19°C / 8°C 9days (54 mm) Wet 11.4h Excellent 71% Muggy Good View Details
May best 25°C / 14°C 25°C / 14°C 11days (70 mm) Wet 12.5h Excellent 70% Muggy Excellent View Details
June best 30°C / 19°C 32°C / 20°C 5days (33 mm) Good 13.6h Excellent 63% Muggy Excellent View Details
July 33°C / 22°C 36°C / 24°C 2days (10 mm) Excellent 13.9h Excellent 58% Moderate Good View Details
August 33°C / 22°C 36°C / 24°C 6days (40 mm) Good 12.8h Excellent 61% Muggy Good View Details
September best 28°C / 18°C 30°C / 19°C 9days (97 mm) Wet 10.8h Excellent 70% Muggy Excellent View Details
October best 23°C / 14°C 23°C / 14°C 10days (95 mm) Wet 9h Good 76% Humid Excellent View Details
November 18°C / 10°C 17°C / 8°C 11days (102 mm) Wet 7.5h Good 79% Humid Good View Details
December 14°C / 7°C 13°C / 4°C 11days (110 mm) Wet 6.5h Fair 81% Humid Fair View Details

Temperature

42°C 36°C 30°C 24°C 18°C 12°C 6°C 0°C -6°C JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
HighLow

Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 13°C / 5°C . Feb: 15°C / 6°C . Mar: 17°C / 8°C . Apr: 20°C / 10°C . May: 25°C / 14°C . Jun: 30°C / 19°C . Jul: 33°C / 22°C . Aug: 33°C / 22°C . Sep: 28°C / 18°C . Oct: 23°C / 14°C . Nov: 18°C / 10°C . Dec: 14°C / 7°C .

Rainfall

0 mm 20 mm 40 mm 60 mm 80 mm 100 mm JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Rainfall

Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 71 mm. Feb: 56 mm. Mar: 80 mm. Apr: 54 mm. May: 70 mm. Jun: 33 mm. Jul: 10 mm. Aug: 40 mm. Sep: 97 mm. Oct: 95 mm. Nov: 102 mm. Dec: 110 mm.

Frequently Asked Questions

Population data for Vatican City is currently being loaded.

The capital of Vatican City is Vatican City.

GDP data for Vatican City is currently being loaded.

GDP data for Vatican City is currently being loaded.

Vatican City covers 0 km² (0 sq mi).

Vatican City has 2 official languages: Italian, Latin.

Vatican City uses the euro (€) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Vatican City are May, June, September, October, based on climate data for the capital.

Vatican City is the smallest sovereign state in the world, encompassing an area of approximately 0.49 km² (0.19 sq mi). It is entirely landlocked within the city of Rome, Italy. Despite its tiny size, it operates as an independent country with its own postal system, radio station, and banking infrastructure.

Vatican City is an independent country, having gained its independence from Italy on 11 February 1929 through the Lateran Treaty. It is recognized internationally as a sovereign state, though it is not a member of the United Nations. Instead, it maintains permanent observer status, allowing it to participate in UN activities.

Vatican City has a 100 percent literacy rate, as the population consists entirely of highly educated clergy and staff. Education is not provided through a traditional school system within the walls, as there are no children residing there permanently. Instead, inhabitants are typically graduates of international universities or ecclesiastical institutions.

All Indicators

Explore Vatican City's data across 50+ indicators

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