Europe > Holy See (Vatican City) > Government

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Administrative divisions	none
Ambassadors from Finland > Current Finnish Ambassadors > Ambassador	Pekka Ojanen
Ambassadors from Israel > Current Israeli Ambassadors > Israeli Ambassador	Oded Ben Hur
ambassadors to the United States > Ambassador	Archbishop Pietro Sambi
Capital city	Vatican City
Capital city > Daylight saving time +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October
Capital city > Geographic coordinates	41 54 N, 12 27 E
Capital city > Name	Vatican City
Capital city > Time difference UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Constitution new Fundamental Law promulgated by Pope JOHN PAUL II on 26 November 2000, effective 22 February 2001 (replaces the first Fundamental Law of 1929)
countries' copyright length > Usual term of copyright protection	70 pma
Diplomatic representation from the US > Chief of mission Ambassador Mary Ann GLENDON
Diplomatic representation from the US > Embassy Villa Domiziana, Via delle Terme Deciane 26, 00153 Rome
Diplomatic representation from the US > FAX	[39] (06) 575-8346
Diplomatic representation from the US > Mailing address PSC 59, Box 66, APO AE 09624
Diplomatic representation from the US > Telephone	[39] (06) 4674-3428
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chancery 3339 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Diplomatic representation in the US > Chief of mission Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Pietro SAMBI
Diplomatic representation in the US > FAX	[1] (202) 337-4036
Diplomatic representation in the US > Telephone	[1] (202) 333-7121
embassies and high commissions in Ottawa > Address	724 Manor Avenue
embassies and high commissions in Ottawa > Neighbourhood	Rockcliffe Park
Executive branch > Cabinet Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City appointed by the pope
Executive branch > Chief of state Pope BENEDICT XVI (since 19 April 2005)
Executive branch > Election results Joseph RATZINGER elected Pope BENEDICT XVI
Executive branch > Elections pope elected for life by the College of Cardinals; election last held 19 April 2005 (next to be held after the death of the current pope); secretary of state appointed by the pope
Executive branch > Head of government Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio BERTONE (since 15 September 2006)
Flag description two vertical bands of yellow (hoist side) and white with the arms of the Holy See, consisting of the crossed keys of Saint Peter surmounted by the three-tiered papal tiara, centered in the white band
Flag modification	8		[147th of 197]
Foreign relations > Croatia > Date of Establishment	February 8, 1992
Foreign relations > Nepal > Date of Establishment	September 10, 1983
Government type	ecclesiastical
Heads of Missions from the United Kingdom Francis Campbell
Heads of Missions from the United Kingdom > Resident Heads of Missions > Type	Embassy
Independence 11 February 1929 (from Italy); note - the three treaties signed with Italy on 11 February 1929 acknowledged, among other things, the full sovereignty of the Vatican and established its territorial extent; however, the origin of the Papal States, which over the years have varied considerably in extent, may be traced back to the 8th century
International organization participation CE (observer), IAEA, Interpol, IOM (observer), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, NAM (guest), OAS (observer), OPCW, OSCE, UN (observer), UNCTAD, UNHCR, Union Latina (observer), UNWTO (observer), UPU, WFTU, WIPO, WTO (observer)
Judicial branch there are three tribunals responsible for civil and criminal matters within Vatican City; three other tribunals rule on issues pertaining to the Holy See; note: judicial duties were established by the Motu Proprio of Pope PIUS XII on 1 May 1946
Legal system based on Code of Canon Law and revisions to it
Legislative branch unicameral Pontifical Commission for the State of Vatican City
National holiday Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April
Political parties and leaders	none
Political pressure groups and leaders none (exclusive of influence exercised by church officers)
Prime minister	Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone
Status	absolute monarchy
Suffrage limited to cardinals less than 80 years old
Transnational Issues > Disputes > International	none
Washington, D.C. embassies > Neighborhood	Embassy Row

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