There are over two hundred countries in the world, ranging from powerful nations to relatively small ones.
Countries vary greatly in size and population. Some have vast territories, while others are very small.
The Vatican City is the smallest country in the world. On a world map, it appears as a tiny dot.
Its full name is "Vatican City State," indicating that it is a city-state.
The history of this country dates back to 756 AD, when Pope Stephen II received the city of Rome and its surrounding areas from the Frankish King Pepin, establishing the Papal States.
However, the Papal States did not last long.
In 1870, Italy annexed the Papal States, causing its disappearance.
It was not until 1929 that the Pope accepted the reality, recognized the dissolution of the Papal States, and re-established the Vatican City State.
Italy also officially recognized the sovereignty of the Vatican, with sovereignty belonging to the Pope.
Vatican City is situated on a high ground in the northwest corner of Rome, Italy, and is a true "country within a city."
Its land area is only 0.44 square kilometers, making "traveling abroad" almost as easy as "a walk in the park" for such a small country.
Due to its tiny size, the Vatican has a permanent population of only 600 people.
According to statistics from 2013, there are only 32 women.
Despite its small population, Vatican City's economic income is quite substantial, with an average annual income of $80,000 per person.
This economic situation is noteworthy, but the imbalanced gender ratio makes it extremely difficult for men to find partners.
So, how does Vatican City achieve such a high income level?
The main sources are tourism and funding from "friendly countries."
Vatican City attracts many tourists with its unique religious significance.
All religious sites require paid entry, and there are also various souvenir sales, which are major sources of revenue for the Vatican.
Although small in size and population, Vatican City maintains a military force of 110 people, sufficient to meet its national security needs.
Despite this, the reason this small country has not been annexed lies mainly in its religious significance.
Vatican City adheres to Catholicism, a religion with a broad base of followers in Western countries.
Since the 6th century, Vatican City has been regarded as a holy site for Catholicism.
Any attempt to annex Vatican City would be seen as a threat to Catholicism, and this religious power makes Vatican City difficult to conquer.
Despite having established diplomatic relations with 189 countries, China is not among them.
In 2000, Vatican City held a canonization event, inviting missionaries who had worked in China and canonizing them as saints.
As the smallest country in the world, Vatican City, despite its limited land area and population, holds a unique position internationally.
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