La biologia

Geography.-Vatican City, one of the European microstates, is situated on the Vatican Hill in the west-central part of Rome, several hundred metres west of the Tiber river. Its borders (3.2kilometres / 2.0 miles in total, all within Italy) closely follow the city wall constructed to protect the Pope from outside attack. The situation is more complex at the famous Saint Peter's Squarein front of St. Peter's Basilica, where the correct border is just outside the ellipse formed by Bernini's colonnade, but where police jurisdiction has been entrusted to Italy. Vatican City isthe smallest sovereign state in the world at 44 hectares (110 acres)The Vatican climate is the same as Rome's; a temperate, Mediterranean climate with mild, rainy winters from September tomid-May and hot, dry summers from May to August. There are some local features, principally mists and dews, caused by the anomalous bulk of St, Peter's Basilica, the elevation, the fountains and thesize of the large paved square. Head of state.-The Pope is ex officio head of state andhead of government of Vatican City, functions dependent on his primordial function as bishop of the diocese of Rome. The term Holy See refers not to the Vatican state but to the Pope's spiritualand pastoral governance, largely exercised through the Roman Curia. His official title with regard to Vatican City is Sovereign of the State of the Vatican City.The Pope resides in the PapalApartments of the Papal Palace just off Saint Peter's Square. It is here he carries out his business and meets foreign representatives.The current Pope is Benedict XVI, born Joseph Alois Ratzingerin Bavaria, Germany. Italian Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo serves as President of the Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City. He was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI on 11 September 2006....