The Smallest State In The World
What defines a sovereign state? With just over 100 acres (0.44 sq km) of real estate and about 900 citizens, the Vatican City is the smallest country in the world and is located within a walled area in Rome. But is it really a sovereign State?Lets look at the 8 criteria that defines a sovereign State.
1. Boundaries: The Vatican City has undisputed boundaries even though it is located within the city of Rome.
2. Residents: The Vatican City is home to approximately 920 full-time residents who maintain passports from their home country and diplomatic passports from the Vatican.
3. Economic Activity: Not much foreign trade but significant foreign investment by the Catholic Church. It relies on the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, and fees for admission to museums. The Vatican City issues its own coins.
4. Social Services like education: Yes, although there aren’t a lot of kids there!
5. Transportation: There are no highways, railroads, or airports. No need for it though. It is smaller than some shopping malls.
6. Public Services: Electricity, telephones, and other utilities are provided by Italy but has an internal Police force (Corpo della Guardia Svizzera).
7. Supreme Sovereignty: The authority, jurisdiction, and sovereignty are vested in the Pope and his advisers.
8. External Recognition: It maintains formal diplomatic relations with 174 nations. The Vatican City is not a member of the United Nations by its own choice.
So yes. We should consider it as an independent State.
Comments (10)
What a surprise! Welcome back my friend.
The Vatican City depends on Italy for its external security. Judging from their performance during the two world wars, it cannot be very reassuring.
Well in some cases, that's even less than the number of people invited to a wedding ceremony in my country.
Wait, are you saying that if a country is not a member of the UN by its own choice, then it's considered independent?
It was not even a hundred years old. It happened in 1929. I suppose one can consider it as the remains (or a reincarnation) of the Holy Roman Empire.
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