Interesting facts about the Vatican City that could win you a trivia competition.

The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world with a permanent population of only about 1000 inhabitants.

St Peter’s Square

The people living in the Vatican City are bishops and clergymen so it’s no surprise the birth rate is zero.

The country’s economy is reliant on the sale of postage stamps, tourist mementos and the admission fees to the Vatican Museums.

Cardinals gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope.

Cardinals from around the world gather in the Sistine Chapel to elect a new Pope. An oven and chimney are erected in the chapel and chemicals are added to the ballot papers to create black or white smoke, to signify if a new Pope has been elected.

The dome of the Basilica of St Peter

As well as the lavish Vatican Museums, the Basilica of Saint Peter dominates the city. It is probably the holiest and most important church in Christendom. Saint Peter is believed to have been buried here in 64 AD.