Vatican City Facts

The only country in the world that is also a city, Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. The area is spread roughly across 121 acres, with a population numbering 800 people. In fact, the next smallest country on the list, which is Monaco, is more than double its size.

Despite not being the official language of Christianity, Latin holds significant importance and recognition among those who practice the religion. This classical language has a unique association with the Vatican, and it's fascinating to learn that the City houses an ATM with instructions solely in Latin. The presence of pictorial aids alongside the Latin text offers assistance to users, making it an intriguing and lesser-known fact about the Vatican.

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One of the captivating and lesser-known facts about the Vatican is the ownership of its private observatory, aptly named the Vatican Observatory. Due to the challenge of light pollution in Rome, using telescopes within the city becomes impractical. As a solution, the Vatican made an intriguing decision to acquire its own telescope in Mount Graham, Arizona. This telescope, known as the Vatican Advanced Technology Telescope, finds its home at the Mount Graham International Observatory, allowing the Church to conduct celestial observations and research beyond the confines of Vatican City.

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In the year 2000, Pope John Paul II took a significant step to promote the significance of sports within the Christian community by establishing a sports department. This initiative led to the creation of the Vatican National football team, also known as "Selezione di calcio della Città del Vaticano" in Italian. What sets this team apart is its unique distinction of being one of the only nine football teams representing sovereign nations that are not affiliated with FIFA.

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Vatican City boasts the world's shortest railway, spanning a mere 300 meters in length. This railway has been in operation since 1934, primarily serving as a means for freight transfer within the city's confines. However, in a noteworthy development, passenger service was introduced in 2015, adding a new dimension to the functionality of this tiny but historic railway system.

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A fascinating and unique aspect of Vatican City is that it holds the exclusive distinction of being the only country in the world to be recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Country. This prestigious status was granted to the entire nation in 1984, acknowledging its extraordinary collection of museums, libraries, churches, and other historically significant landmarks.

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Membership in the Swiss Guards is a prestigious opportunity reserved exclusively for Swiss nationals who have undergone training with the Swiss Armed Forces. Their presence serves as a symbol of historical continuity and dedication to safeguarding the security and sovereignty of the Vatican. Throughout the centuries, the Swiss Guards have faithfully stood as a symbol of loyalty, exemplifying their enduring commitment to protecting the pontiff and the city-state they serve.

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One of the most interesting Vatican city facts is that it has no hospitals within its borders; as a result, no children are born in Vatican City, and thus no one becomes an automatic citizen here. Instead, one becomes a citizen only when one becomes an employee at the city. These citizenship rights are then revoked one the jobs are transferred out of the city.

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