Vatican City is a landlocked sovereign city-state entirely surrounded by the city of Rome, Italy. It is located on the northwest area of Rome, near the right bank of the Tiber River, on a small slope that was once part of the ancient Vatican Hill
. Covering about 44 hectares (0.49 square kilometers), it is the smallest independent state in the world by both area and population
. The Vatican is an enclave within Rome, meaning its territory is completely enclosed by the Italian capital city
. It functions as the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and is the residence of the Pope
. Key landmarks within Vatican City include St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, and the Apostolic Palace
. In summary, Vatican City is located in the heart of Rome, Italy, on the west bank of the Tiber River, completely surrounded by the city of Rome
