when Rome
itself was annexed. Disputes between a series of "prisoner" popes and
Italy were resolved in 1929 by three Lateran Treaties, which established
the independent state of Vatican City and granted Roman Catholicism
special status in Italy. In 1984, a concordat between the Holy See
and Italy modified certain of the earlier treaty provisions, including
the primacy of Roman Catholicism as the Italian state religion. Present
concerns of the Holy See include the failing health of Pope John Paul II,
interreligious dialogue and reconciliation, and the adjustment of church
doctrine in an era of rapid change and globalization. About 1 billion
people worldwide profess the Catholic faith.

Geography Holy See (Vatican City)

Location: Southern Europe, an enclave of Rome (Italy)

Geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 27 E

Map references: Europe

Area: total: 0.44 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 0.44 sq km

Area - comparative: about 0.7 times the size of The Mall in Washington,
DC

Land boundaries: total: 3.2 km border countries: Italy 3.2 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Climate: temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to mid-May) with hot,
dry summers (May to September)

Terrain: low hill

Elevation extremes: lowest point: unnamed location 19 m highest point:
unnamed location 75 m

Natural resources: none

Land use: arable land: 0% permanent crops: 0% other: 100% (urban area)
(1998 est.)

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1998 est.)

Natural hazards: NA

Environment - current issues: NA

Environment - international agreements: none of the selected agreements
signed, but not ratified: Geography - note: urban; landlocked; enclave
of Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; outside the Vatican City, 13
buildings in Rome and Castel Gandolfo (the pope's summer residence)
enjoy extraterritorial rights

People Holy See (Vatican City)

Population: 900 (July 2002 est.)

Population growth rate: 1.15% (2002 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: NA%

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Nationality: noun: none adjective: none

Ethnic groups: Italians, Swiss, other

Religions: Roman Catholic

Languages: Italian, Latin, French, various other languages

Literacy: definition: NA total population: 100% male: NA% female: NA%

Government Holy See (Vatican City)

Country name: conventional long form: The Holy See (State o