With an area of just 0.44 km² and an estimated population of 500 to 600 inhabitants, the Vatican is the smallest country in the world. The city-state is an enclave within Rome and bears the official name of the Vatican City State. The language used within the Vatican territory is Italian, but the official language of the Holy See (the reference entity in international relations) is Latin. Just like in Italy, the Vatican's currency is the euro.

Vatican City houses inestimable artistic and cultural treasures and is a popular tourist destination, visited by over 5 million tourists each year. At the heart of the Vatican lies St. Peter's Basilica, the largest church in the world, built over the tomb of St. Peter the Apostle. Stretching out in front of it is St. Peter's Square (Piazza San Pietro). In the immediate vicinity, you will find the Vatican Museums, which constitute one of the most important museum complexes in the entire world. Inside them lies the Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo's famous masterpiece.