Vatican City, the seat of the Roman Catholic Church in Rome, is the smallest country. At 0.16 square mile, it is less than quarter the size of the next smallest country, Monaco (0.76 square mile). Vatican City became an independent country in 1929. It is surrounded by Rome, Italy. Its 750 inhabitants are ruled by the Pope and a committee of three cardinals. Vatican City has no permanent citizens. Citizenship of the Vatican City is conferred upon those who work at the Vatican (as well as their spouses and children) and is revoked when they stop working there. The country’s economy is also unique: it is the only non-commercial economy in the world. Instead, the Vatican City is supported financially by contributions of Catholics worldwide, the sale of postage stamps and publications, and tourism. (Adapted from The Book of Answers, by Barbara Berliner, Wikipedia, and other Internet sources)
