The European microstates or ministates are a set of very small states in Europe. Andorra, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City, are the most famous ones. But also Luxembourg and Cyprus can not be considered as proper states. State of the Vatican City Origin of the name The word “Vatican” derives from the Latin vates, which means "tellers of the future." This name was the name given to a hillside on the west bank of the Tiber River in Rome because daily lineups of fortunetellers used to hawk their "wares" there to passersby on the street. In the fourteenth century, when the papacy was returned to Rome from Avignon (France), the present-day Vatican became the residence of the popes, and the word came to refer to the enclave in the middle of Rome that had become the seat of the Roman Catholic Church. General information Description:Vatican is a landlocked sovereign city-state whose territory consists of a walled enclave within the city of Rome, the capital city of Italy. At approximately 44 hectares (0.44 km2), and with a population of just over 800, it is the smallest country in the world by both population and area. State organisation: absolute teocratic monarchy Head of the state: Benedict XVI. Official language: Latin and Italian Major religion: Roman Catholic Currency: Euro Political system Vatican City is currently one of the few countries that has not become a member of the United Nations. The politics of Vatican City takes place in an absolute elective monarchy, in which the head of the Roman Catholic Church takes power. The Pope exercises principal legislative, executive, and judicial power over the State of Vatican City (an entity distinct from the Holy See), which is a rare case of a non-hereditary monarchy. Economy: Economy is supported financially by the sale of postage stamps and tourist mementos, fees for admission to museums, and the sale of publications. History The history of the Vatican as a papal residence dates from the 5th cent., when, after Emperor Constantine I had built the basilica of St. Peter's, Pope Symmachus built a palace nearby. The pope usually resided in the Lateran Palace until the “Babylonian captivity” (14th cent.) in Avignon, France. After the return of the papacy to Rome (1377) the Vatican became the usual residence. The Renaissance popes, principally Sixtus IV, Innocent VIII, Alexander VI, Julius II, Leo X, and Clement VII, were great patrons of the arts, and it was they who began to assemble the great collections and to construct the wonderful galleries. Gregory XIII and Sixtus V spent huge sums on the Vatican and also began the Quirinal, a palace that served as the papal residence from the 17th to the 19th cent., was the Italian royal palace from 1870 to 1946, and is now the home of the president of Italy. Malta Origin of the name The origin of the term "Malta" is uncertain and the modern day variation derives from the Maltese language. The most common etymology is that it comes from the Greek word μέλι (meli) ('honey'). The Greeks called the island Μελίτη (Melite) meaning "honey-sweet" possibly due to Malta's unique production of honey; an endemic species of bee lives on the island, giving it the popular nickname the "land of honey". The Romans went on to call the island Melita. Another etymology is the Phoenician word Maleth, the Phoenician name for the islands, meaning "a haven" in reference to Malta's many bays and coves. General information State organisation: Republic Head of the state: George Abela Official language: Latin and Italian Major religion: Roman Catholic Currency: Euro