Airport
The Vatican City has its own small railway, which runs from the Vatican into Italy. For travel in Rome, see the Rome city guide. There is a speed limit of 30kph (20mph) in the Vatican City.
Leonardo da Vinci airport, located in Fiumicino, Airport code: FCO, is about 35 kilometers from the Italian capital. From the airport, visitors can reach the city in half an hour via an express train that connects to Termini, Rome's central station. Trains leave every hour; the non-express train departs every 20 minutes from 5:30 to midnight. An alternative would be to take the buses that stop just outside the airport.

Visas
Citizens of most European nations and the following countries do not need a visa to enter Italy: Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Singapore, South Korea, U.S.A., Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Italian embassies can issue so-called Schengen visas allowing visitors to gain entry into the country, as well as Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, and Spain. Some nationalities may be required to obtain a visa from the Schengen member states they plan to visit after Italy.

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Currency
Vatican coins are similar in value, size and denomination to those of Italy, although the monetary system is separate from that of Italy; the Euro is, however, legal tender in the Vatican City. Vatican coins are the Gold Lire 100 (nominal); Silver Lire 500; ‘Acmonital’ Lire 100 and 50; ‘Italma’ Lire 10, 5 and 1; and ‘Bronzital’ Lire 20. The first Euro coins and notes were introduced in January 2002
Bank notes come in 100,000, 50,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 values, and coins in 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 lire.

Credit Cards
MasterCard, Diners Club and Visa are widely accepted in most establishments.

Tipping
NA

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Useful Numbers
Vatican City country code: 39
Vatican City area code: 06
Police: 112
Ambulance: 113
Fire: 115

Electricity
220 volts, 50Hz

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Health Risks
No vaccinations are required when travelling to Italy and Holy See (Vatican City). But beware that medical services are limited outside the cities, and may not be at par with international standards. Hospitalization can cost from $350 to $1,500 per day, so travellers may need insurance that covers a stay in a private Italian hostpital or clinic.
Water is considered drinkable; normal precautions should be observed with food.

Time Zone
GMT/UTC plus one hour (plus two hours in summer)

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Business Hours
NA

Holidays

2008
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
24 Mar Easter Monday.
25 Apr Liberation Day.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen's Day.

2009
1 Jan New Year's Day.
6 Jan Epiphany.
13 Apr Easter Monday.
25 Apr Liberation Day.
1 May Labour Day.
2 Jun Anniversary of the Republic.
15 Aug Assumption.
1 Nov All Saints' Day.
8 Dec Immaculate Conception.
25 Dec Christmas Day.
26 Dec St Stephen's Day.

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Climate
Summer is hot, especially in the south. Spring and autumn are mild with fine, sunny weather. Winter in the south is much drier and warmer than in northern and central areas. Mountain regions are colder with heavy winter snowfalls.

Clothing
When visiting the Vatican or any major cathedral, men should wear long pants and women, skirts or long pants. Sleeveless shirts and shorts are not permitted in churches or the Vatican, including the Vatican museums. A large scarf can be used to cover shoulders.
In summer, lightweight cottons and linens are usually worn, except when staying up in the mountains where warm clothes are required. Wear thicker attire in winter.

GDP Growth Rate
NA

Inflation
NA

Imports
NA

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Exports
NA

Trading Partners
NA

Industries
printing and production of a small amount of mosaics and staff uniforms; worldwide banking and financial activities

Teledensity
NA

Government
The State of the Vatican City came into existence in 1929.

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Geography
The Vatican is located to the north-west of central Rome, on the west bank of the Tevere. Vatican City comprises St Peter’s Church, St Peter’s Square, the Vatican and the Vatican Gardens. It is only 0.44 sq km (0.17 sq mi) in size (smaller than the Mall in Washington and about half the size of London's Regent Park) with a total border running to 3.2km (2mi). Rome itself is halfway down Italy's western coast, about 20km (12mi) inland from the Mediterranean Sea.

Population
Vatican City: 1000

Ethnic Groups
Italians, Swiss, other

Languages
Italian and Latin are the official languages, though most international languages are spoken to some extent.

Literacy
100%

Religion
Roman Catholic