Vatican City Travel Guide
The State of Vatican City is located in the center of Rome. It is the smallest country in Europe, both in population and size. It has a total area of 0,44 km² and about 1000 people live there.
It is an independent city state, ruled by the Pope (Bishop of Rome) and is the center of authority over the Roman Catholic Church.
It was declared an independent state from Italy on 11 February, 1929, at the signing of the Lateran Treaty, which was between Mussolini and Pope Pius XI .
Within the Vatican City popular attractions include St. Peter’s Square (Piazza San Pietro), St. Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums, which includes the Sistine chapel.