Vatican City is the smallest independent state in the world, with an area of approximately 0.44 to 0.49 square kilometers (about 44 to 49 hectares or roughly 109 to 121 acres). This size is about one-eighth the size of New York City's Central Park or equivalent to around 90 American football fields
. Its border with Italy is about 3.5 kilometers (2.2 miles) long
. Despite its tiny size, Vatican City is a fully independent city-state and the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church.
