Area comparison map:

about 0.7 times the size of the National Mall in Washington, DC

Land boundaries:
total: 3.4 km
[see also: Land boundaries - total country ranks ]
border countries (1): Italy 3.4 km

Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)
[see also: Coastline country ranks ]

Maritime claims:
none (landlocked)

Climate:
temperate; mild, rainy winters (September to May) with hot, dry summers (May to September)

Terrain:
urban; low hill

Elevation:
lowest point: Saint Peter's Square 19 m
highest point: Vatican Gardens (Vatican Hill) 78 m

Natural resources:
none

Land use:
agricultural land: 0% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - agricultural land country ranks ]
arable land: 0% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - arable land country ranks ]
permanent crops: 0% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent crops country ranks ]
permanent pasture: 0% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - permanent pasture country ranks ]
forest: 0% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use - forest country ranks ]
other: 100% (2011 est.)
[see also: Land use country ranks ]

Natural hazards:
occasional earthquakes

Environment - current issues:
some air pollution from the surrounding city of Rome

Environment - international agreements:
party to: Ozone Layer Protection
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution, Environmental Modification

Geography - note:
landlocked; an enclave in Rome, Italy; world's smallest state; beyond the territorial boundary of Vatican City, the Lateran Treaty of 1929 grants the Holy See extraterritorial authority over 23 sites in Rome and five outside of Rome, including the Pontifical Palace at Castel Gandolfo (the Pope's summer residence)