What is the smallest country in the world by area, located entirely within Rome?

Vatican City is the world’s smallest country by area and is located entirely within Rome.

The independent city-state covers about 49 hectares, or roughly 0.49 square kilometres. It became independent from Italy through the Lateran Treaty, signed in 1929 by the Holy See and the Kingdom of Italy.

Vatican City is the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church and the sovereign territory of the Holy See. The pope is its head of state. The territory includes St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.

Vatican City is also distinct from the Holy See. The Holy See is the central governing authority of the Catholic Church and maintains diplomatic relations, while Vatican City is the physical state that guarantees its territorial independence. Its small size makes it the smallest internationally recognized country.