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.
- obelisk:
- A tall, four-sided stone pillar that tapers to a point at the top.
- halberd:
- A traditional weapon that combines a spear and an axe on a long pole.
- pilgrims:
- People who travel to a holy or sacred place for religious reasons.
- scaffolding:
- A temporary wooden or metal structure used to support workers while they build or paint.
- basilica:
- A large and important church, often shaped like a cross with a large central hall.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where is Vatican City located?
- 2How does the size of Vatican City compare to Central Park in New York City?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
“The World's Smallest Country: A Tour of Vatican City” is a informational reading passage about Vatican City, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (472 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.