The Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign city-state entirely surrounded by the city of Rome, Italy. It is located on the west bank of the Tiber River, near the Vatican Hill, in the northwestern part of Rome
. It covers an area of about 44 to 49 hectares (approximately 0.44 to 0.49 square kilometers), making it the smallest independent state in the world by both area and population
. The Vatican City serves as the spiritual and administrative center of the Roman Catholic Church and is the residence of the Pope. It became an independent state in 1929 through the Lateran Treaty with Italy
. Key landmarks within Vatican City include St. Peter’s Basilica, St. Peter’s Square, the Vatican Museums, and the Sistine Chapel
. In summary, Vatican City is a tiny sovereign enclave within Rome, Italy, functioning as the headquarters of the Catholic Church and the residence of its leader, the Pope
