It is our first information blogpost for kids who are playing with our
” I have. Who has? Game Card for Flags”.
These blogs are for kids who are keen to know a little more about the various countries in the world.
We shall be doing a series of blogs in coming months about various countries and interesting facts about those.
Today we are writing about Vatican City.
The Vatican City is a world-famous religious site. It is home to the Pope and some truly breath-taking architecture.
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Some key facts about Vatican City
It’s the Smallest Country in the World
The entire city covers just over 100 acres, equaling to about 0.44 square kilometers. The entire country is nestled inside the Capital city of Rome, located east of the River Tiber.
It’s the smallest sovereign state in the world in both area and population. As of 2020 it has a population of 801 people. This is by far the smallest nation in the world. It also attracts more tourists than anywhere else in the world with nearly 5 ½ million visitors each year.
It has its own army
Known officially as the Pontifical Swiss Guard, this army is only 135 people strong. They wear a ceremonial uniform that has blue, yellow and red stripes. It looks like it hasn’t been changed since the Renaissance. All the men in Swiss Guard are from Switzerland. And they are all in the age group of 19-30 years.
It has its own football team
The Vatican football team consists entirely of employees of the tiny country. Police officers, postal workers, and members of the Swiss Guard have all been known to wear the team colours of yellow, blue, and white.
It has the world’s shortest railway
With just two 300-metre tracks and one station, the Vatican’s railway network is the shortest in the world. It’s used for importing goods and for ceremonial purposes only. There are no regular passenger trains scheduled.
It is the only UNESCO world heritage country
Vatican is the only country to be entirely designated as a world heritage site.
Some of the famous places in
Vatican City
St Peter’s Basilica
This is the world’s largest catholic church. It is believed to be the place where Saint Peter was buried. He was among one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. St. Peter’s Basilica has about 100 tombs within its campus. This place is especially famous as a pilgrimage place. The design of the church is worth a visit along with its history.
Sistine Chapel
Sistine Chapel was constructed between 1473 to 1481. It is a rectangular shaped brick building which is famous for the paintings on its ceiling. This place is the official residence of the Pope. And, is also used for the election of a new Pope by the Sacred College of Cardinals.
Vatican Gardens
Vatican Gardens are considered as one of the most beautiful gardens in Rome. Here is an amalgamation of bushes, flowers and trees which makes this place worth a visit. One needs prior reservation to visit the garden.
Saint Peter’s Square
It is the heart of the Vatican City. Saint Peter’s Square was designed by Italian architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini. This place can hold about 4,00,000 people at a time.
The colosseum
The colosseum or the ‘Flavian Amphitheatre’ is considered as one of the seven wonders of the world. The Colosseum is the beauty of ancient Roman architecture and masonry. It is perhaps the largest amphitheater ever constructed. It not in Vatican City but inside Rome.
FREE PRINTABLE ACTIVITY ON VATICAN CITY
That sums up our information blog on Vatican. If you feel something needs a mention, do write to us .
We will include it in the blog.
Do let us know which country you would like us to cover in next post, we will try and accommodate your request.
Stay safe and healthy!
Happy learning!!
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