Ten fun facts about The Vatican
Fact 1
Since the Vatican City has no prison cells, people caught committing crimes, which are mostly purse snatchers and pickpocketers, are jailed in Italian prisons.
Fact 2
The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world - it is 1/8th the size of New York's Central Park.
Fact 3
Since the Vatican is more of a city-state, it prints its own stamps, issues license plates and mints its own euros, but it does not tax.
Fact 4
In 2011 a law was created that classified Vatican 'residents' not necessarily as citizens, making only approximately 220 of the 800+ people living in the Vatican City citizens.
Fact 5
The economy of the city relies solely on admissions to museums, the sale of publications, tourist items and the sale of postage stamps.
Fact 6
The Vatican is a monarchy. The legislative, judicial and executive authority rely on the pope.
Fact 7
Until about the 14th century, popes did not live in the Vatican. They lived in the Lateran Palace, then in Avignon in France.
Fact 8
It wasn't until 2014 did the Vatican finally announce they would establish a secretariat for the economy to handle the financial, economic and administrative activities.
Fact 9
It is one of the few independent states in the world that does not have an airport, except for the Vatican City Heliport.
Fact 10
The City is the only independent state, that is recognized widely, that is not a member of the United Nations.
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