Vatican City

The Mecca of Roman Catholicism, Holy See (Vatican City) is the tiny, extremely rich centre of one of the world's largest religions. The infamous Sistine Chapel, featuring the breathtaking Creation by Michelangelo. This is also where the bones of Saint Peter remain, housed in St. Peter's Basilica, a place packed with internationally recognized artwork.

Understanding The Geography

Formally State of the Vatican City, or Vatican City State is a sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a landlocked, almost completely walled, enclave within the city of Rome, Italy.

The entire state is about 44 hectares (108.7 acres) and thus is a European microstate. It is the smallest independent nation in the world, created in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty, and a vestige of the much larger former Papal States (A.D. 756 to A.D. 1870).

The Vatican City is situated on the Vatican Hill in the north-western part of Rome, several hundred metres west of the Tiber river. Its borders (3.2 km or 2 miles in total, all within Italy) closely follow the city wall constructed to protect the Pope from outside attack. The situation is more complex at the famous St. Peter's Square in front of the St. Peter's Basilica, where the correct border is just outside the ellipse formed by Bernini's colonnade.

Climate Conditions

Its climate is the same as Rome's; a temperate, Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters from September to mid-May and hot, dry summers from May to August. There are some local features, principally mists and dews, caused by the anomalous bulk of St Peter's Basilica, the elevation, the fountains and the size of the large paved square.

Understanding The Culture

A dress code is enforced for entry into St. Peter's Basilica. The code is based upon what is considered "modest" and "appropriate" dress for visiting a Catholic religious venue, and tourists and visitors are reminded that though St. Peter's is an architectural and artistic monument, it is first a church. The dress code forbids

• Hats for lay men inside the basilica
• Shorts/skirts above the knees
• Sleeveless shirts
• Shirts exposing the navel
• Shirts for women, which exposes the cleavage
• Shirts, which contain profanity
• Excessive jewellery