National symbols

Flag: Vertical bicolor of white and yellow with the keys of heaven and triple crown (tiara) on the white field

Vatican Flag

Emblem: Crossed gold and silver keys with papal tiara

Vatican Emblem

Trivia & facts

  • The only country entirely registered as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.
  • Vatican-issued Euro coins are extremely limited and traded at high prices.
  • Postal cancellation is reputedly faster than Rome's among locals.
  • No vending machines exist within the city.
  • Railway line totals just 862 m, among the world's shortest.
  • An active fire brigade exists as a national organization.
  • License plate SCV1 is assigned to the Pope's exclusive vehicle.
  • Citizenship is employment-period limited; birthright citizenship does not apply.
  • One of the countries with the fewest female populations in the world.
  • Swiss Guard uniforms were designed in 1914, not by Michelangelo.