Vatican Fact #1: Did you know the Vatican is a completely seperate country, which makes the Vatican officially the smallest country in the world.
Vatican Fact #2: Did you know that the Vatican is officially the only country in the world with a zero birth rate (we hope!)
Vatican Fact #3: Did you know the Vatican has its own currency. It is the Vatican euro with the Vatican symbol on the back.
Vatican Fact #4: Did you know that the Vatican has its own embassy. That is why the Spanish Steps in Rome are called the Spanish Steps as they are located right beside the Spanish Embassy to the Vatican.
Vatican Fact #5: Did you know that the Vatican has a population of only 831 people which makes the Vatican by far and away the wealthiest country per capita in the world.
Vatican Fact #6: Did you know that the Vatican has the highest crime rate per ratio of population. This is obviously due to its population of only 831 people. 90% of the crimes in the Vatican remain unsolved.
Vatican Fact #7: Did you know that the Vatican only became a seperate country in 1929. Before then the Pope had huge political power over a large section of Italy.
Vatican Fact #8: Did you know that Vatican city is protected by 110 Swiss guards. The Swiss Guards still must be from Switzerland. The Swiss guards are the smallest and oldest army in the world. They were founded in 1506 by Pope Julius ll.
Vatican Fact #9: Did you know that the Vatican is built on the very area the first Pope, Saint Peter, was crucified. Saint Peter’s bones are still in the Vatican, buried underneath the altar inside St Peter’s Basilica.
Vatican Fact #10: Did you know that the Vatican makes a huge income from the amount of people who enter the Vatican Museums. In the year 2000 an average of 32,000 people per day entered the Vatican Museums. At €15 entrance fee in… You do the math.
Want to see the Vatican for yourself? Check out our 5-star reviewed Vatican Museum Tour.