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
National holiday:
Coronation Day of Pope JOHN PAUL II, 22 October (1978)
Constitution:
Apostolic Constitution of 1967 (effective 1 March 1968)
Legal system:
based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it
Suffrage:
limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
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
Legislative branch:
unicameral Pontifical Commission
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
Political parties and leaders:
none
Political pressure groups and leaders:
none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
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)
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Gabriel MONTALVO FAX: [1] (202) 337–4036 telephone: [1] (202) 333–7121 chancery: 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador R. James "Jim" NICHOLSON embassy: Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome mailing address: PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624 telephone: [39] (06) 4674–3428 FAX: [39] (06) 5758346
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
Economy Holy See (Vatican City)
Economy - overview:
This unique, noncommercial economy is supported financially by an
annual tax on Roman Catholic dioceses throughout the world, as well
as by special collections (known as Peter's Pence); the sale of
postage stamps, coins, medals, and tourist mementos; fees for
admission to museums; and the sale of publications. Investments and
real estate income also account for a sizable portion of revenue.
The incomes and living standards of lay workers are comparable to
those of counterparts who work in the city of Rome.
Population below poverty line:
NA%
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%: NA%
highest 10%: NA%
Labor force:
NA
Labor force - by occupation:
essentially services with a small amount of industry; note -
dignitaries, priests, nuns, guards, and 3,000 lay workers live
outside the Vatican
Budget:
revenues: $173.5 million
expenditures: $176.6 million, including capital expenditures of $NA
(2001)
Industries:
printing; production of coins, medals, postage stamps, a small
amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and
financial activities
Electricity - production:
NA kWh
Electricity - consumption:
NA kWh
Electricity - exports:
0 kWh
Electricity - imports:
NA kWh; note - electricity supplied by Italy
Economic aid - recipient:
none
Currency:
euro (EUR)
Currency code:
EUR
Exchange rates:
euros per US dollar - 1.06 1.1324 (2002), 1.1175 (2001), 1.0854
(2000), 0.9386 (1999)
Fiscal year:
calendar year
Communications Holy See (Vatican City)
Telephones - main lines in use:
NA
Telephones - mobile cellular:
NA
Telephone system:
general assessment: automatic exchange
domestic: tied into Italian system
international: uses Italian system
Radio broadcast stations:
AM 3, FM 4, shortwave 2 (1998)
Radios:
NA
Television broadcast stations:
1 (1996)
Televisions:
NA
Internet country code:
.va
Internet Service Providers (ISPs):
NA
Internet users:
NA
Transportation Holy See (Vatican City)
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.)
Highways:
none; all city streets
Waterways:
none
Ports and harbors:
none
Airports:
none (2002)
Heliports: