very center of Italy for many years belonged to the Catholic Church.The territory, which is equal to thirty-two thousand square kilometers, was the Papal States.And it was little more than a hundred years ago, in the mid-nineteenth century.But the year 1870 was marked by an event that changed all of Rome became the main city of Italy.A papal region becomes part of the Kingdom of Italy.Vatican as a state appears only when the Pope and the Italian government failed to agree - namely, in 1929. It was then recognized the independence and the smallest country finds its own control.
on every continent of the Earth today can be found Roman Catholics, whose center is the Vatican City.The smallest country in the world is under the control of the Holy See, a sovereign which - the Pope.His elect for life by the College of Cardinals, which consists of two hundred and five representatives, but the right to vote in the conclave have only 115 of them.Judicial, executive and legislative authority holds the Pope, and controlled by the governor of the smallest country, which, however, also appointed by the head of the Roman Catholic Church.
Vatican today covers an area equal to 0.44 square kilometers and is bordered on all sides with only one state - Italy.Living in the city-state in the main subjects of the Holy See, and the total population of a little more than eight hundred people.But, despite this, the cost is the smallest country feels pretty well.Catholics all over the world sent donations here, and it is the main source of state revenue.Sufficiently large "piece" of a profitable part accounted for tourists.Most visitors do not spare money to buy gifts and souvenirs for relatives, friends, colleagues and acquaintances.
But the heart of the Catholic world - is primarily a priceless treasure, look at which people come from all corners of our planet.No person who has not heard of the Vatican Library.The manuscripts, dating from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, the book, of which there are more than half a million manuscripts, coins, medals, maps and engravings - this is the golden fund of the library.Sistine Chapel is known not only as a place of secret meetings of the Pope, there are murals made by the hand of the great Michelangelo.St. Peter's Basilica - the largest and most significant building of the Vatican, which is now five hundred years is inseparably connected with the names of such great masters as Raphael and Michelangelo, Bramante and Giacomo della Porta.
The smallest country in Europe and the world has its own railway line, whose length - just seven hundred meters, but it is part of the Italian railways.And the surprising presence of the helipad, which is related to the two airports of Rome.His mail, and police station, his Foreign Minister and the army, numbering a hundred people, the Vatican, of course, also available.It produced its own newspaper, printed stamps, coins were minted.Our own telephone network and broadcasting stations, and most importantly - these attributes of state power, as the flag and emblem indicates that the smallest country is completely independent, it does not depend on Italy, although all of its territory is located in the Italian capital.With most countries the State enclave bind diplomatic relations.
Vatican is located in a prime location, not far from flowing across the Tiber Rome.The picturesque hill Mons Vaticanus got its name from the ancient oracle.And the appearance of the magnificent gardens, this place is still associated with the name of Caligula.
