vatican/the holy see

General data, visas & passport, statistics
Vatican in Internet: Official Government Pages

SITUATIUON: inside Rome - the capital of Italy.

POPULATION: 1 000 people

TOTAL AREA: 0,44 km²

CAPITAL: Vatican City

TIME ZONE
GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

TELEPHONE SERVICES
Country Code: As for Rome, 390 (06) plus 698 followed by a 5 digit number. Whether dialling locally or from abroad the 0 of the area code must not be omitted.
IDD: International Direct Dialling is available
Outgoing Code: 00

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
Police - 112, Ambulance - 113, Fire - 115

LOCAL TOURIST INFORMATION
-

PASSPORT INFORMATION
See Italy. There are no formalities required to enter the Vatican city. Entry will be via Rome and Italian visa/passport requirements have to be met. See Italian entry.

VISA INFORMATION
See Italy.

PROHIBITED ITEMS
See Italy.

AIRPORT DEPARTURE TAX
See Italy.

RESTRICTED ENTRY
- No notification

HEALTH MATTERS
Polio, Typhoid: See Italian entry for Health Recommendations.
Malaria : See Italian entry for Health Recommendations.
Yellow Fever: See Italian entry for Health Recommendations.
Other Health Risks: See Italian entry for Health Recommendations.

FOOD AND DRINK
Water is considered drinkable, normal precautions should be observed with food.

CURRENCY
Vatican coins are smaller in size, value and denomination to those of Italy. The monetary system is different from that in Italy however Italian Lira is legal tender there. See Italian entry. Limited acceptance of credit cards and travellers cheques. ATM availability: Unavailable.

MONEY WIRING SERVICES
MoneyGram: Unavailable.
Western Union: Unavailable.

CREDIT CARD EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Amex: +44 1273 696933
Diners Club: 39 6 3213841
Visa: 1678 75617

TRAVELLERS CHEQUES EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Thomas Cook: 1678 72050

BANKING HOURS
No Banks present.

COST OF LIVING
There are no taxes and no customs/excise duties in the Vatican City. Accommodation is unavailable to the public.

LANGUAGES
Italian.

WEATHER
See Italy.

RELIGIONS
Roman Catholic.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Earth Calendar

As for Italy.
2004:
January 1 New Year's Day
January 6 Epiphany
April 12 Easter Monday
April 25 Liberation Day
May 1 May Day
June 2 Anniversary of the Republic
August 15 Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
November 1 All Saints Day
November 7 World War 1 Victory Anniversary Day*
December 8 Immaculate Conception
December 25 Christmas Day
December 26 Boxing Day or St Stephen's Day

ELECTRICITY
220 volts, 50 Hz

WOMEN IN SOCIETY
Revealing clothing should not be worn.

TRANSPORT
RAIL: Vatican City has its own railway station. The trains are reasonably priced and offer discounts. There is a speed limit of 30 kph in the Vatican City. For travel in Rome see the entry for Italy.

SPECIFIC INFORMATION
Arms, shoulders and legs should be covered out of respect when visiting religious buildings. Beware of pickpockets and other thieves.