The World's Smallest Country: A Tour of Vatican City

Imagine a country so small that you could walk across its entire length in just about twenty minutes. Now, imagine that this entire country is located inside a single city! This place is real, and it is called Vatican City. Located completely within the capital city of Rome, Italy, Vatican City is recognized as the smallest independent nation in the world. Despite its tiny size, it is packed with history, incredible art, and unique traditions.

Covering just over one hundred acres, Vatican City is about one-eighth the size of Central Park in New York City. Even though it is small, it functions just like any other country. It has its own government, prints its own postage stamps, mints its own euro coins, and even has its own flag. The ruler of this tiny nation is the Pope, who is the leader of the Roman Catholic Church. Because it is an independent country, visitors actually cross an international border when they walk from the streets of Rome into Vatican City, though there are no passport control booths to stop them.

One of the first things visitors see when they enter is St. Peter's Square. This grand, circular plaza is surrounded by massive stone columns that look like giant arms welcoming people. In the center of the square stands a tall obelisk from ancient Egypt. Towering over the square is St. Peter's Basilica, one of the largest and most famous churches in the world. Inside, the basilica is filled with beautiful golden decorations and giant statues.

While exploring, you might notice guards dressed in bright blue, red, orange, and yellow striped uniforms. These are members of the Swiss Guard. This special military unit has been protecting the Pope since the year 1506. To become a Swiss Guard, a person must be a Swiss citizen, a Catholic, and have completed basic training with the Swiss army. Their colorful uniforms and traditional halberds—which look like a mix of a spear and an axe—make them look like they stepped right out of history.

Another major highlight of the country is the Vatican Museums. This massive complex holds some of the world's most famous works of art, collected by popes over many centuries. The most famous room in the museum is the Sistine Chapel. Visitors look up to marvel at the ceiling, which was painted by the famous artist Michelangelo hundreds of years ago. He spent four years lying on his back on wooden scaffolding to paint detailed scenes from the Bible.

Vatican City is a truly unique place where history, religion, and art come together. Millions of tourists and pilgrims travel there every year to experience its wonders. Whether you are interested in ancient history, beautiful paintings, or just want to say you visited the smallest country on Earth, Vatican City is a destination like no other.