The dwarf states of Europe have a tiny territory and a minimal population, but this does not prevent them from being well-known throughout the world. Who has never heard of them at least once?
But neither Andorra, with a population of 76 thousand people, nor Liechtenstein with a population of 160 thousand, or San Marino with 32 thousand citizens, can not be compared with the Vatican city, in which about 830 people live.
Vatican History
Thanks to the Lateran Accords signed in 1929, the tiniest European enclave state arose within the borders to which it has existed to this day.
The Vatican is located in the northwestern part of Rome on the Vatican Hill and has a border with the only state - Italy. On an area of about 0.44 square kilometers, masterpieces of architecture and painting are collected that art critics of much larger countries would be glad to see in their collections: St. Peter's Basilica, Papal Palace, Sistine Chapel with frescoes by Michelangelo, Etruscan Museum of Gregorian, Egyptian Gregorian Museum, Vatican library and many other museums and palaces.
The Vatican Library has existed for more than 6 centuries and has the largest collection of manuscripts of the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
With regard to the political system, the Vatican has a theocratic monarchy. In the hands of the Pope, who is elected for life by the cardinals in the conclave, all executive, legislative, and judicial powers are concentrated.
The only case of abdication in the last 600 years happened in 2013, when Benedict XVI refused the dignity of his own free will.
The main legislative body of the Vatican is the Pontifical Commission, and the Roman Curia is responsible for the administrative part. The Vatican also has its own economy - albeit a non-profit one. The state lives solely through donations made by Catholics around the world. Part of the funds to the Vatican treasury comes from tourism - the sale of souvenirs and sightseeing tickets.
Despite the fact that the Vatican is not a member of the European Union, it belongs to countries in which, by agreement with the European Central Bank, it is officially permitted to use the euro.
But the euro in the Vatican is very special - on the back of the coins you can see the profile of the ruling pontiff.
