San Marino
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| National motto:
Libertas ( Latin: Liberty) |
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 |
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| Official language | Italian | ||||
| Capital | San Marino | ||||
| Largest City | Serravalle | ||||
| Captains Regent: | Claudio Muccioli and Antonello Bacciocchi | ||||
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Area - Total - % water |
Ranked
190th 61 km² Negligible |
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Population - Total ( 2000) - Density |
Ranked
190th 27,336 448/km² |
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| Independence | 3 September 301 | ||||
| HDI (2003) | NA – unranked | ||||
| Currency | Euro (€) | ||||
| Time
zone - in summer |
CET
(
UTC+1) CEST ( UTC+2) |
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| National anthem | Inno Nazionale (no words) Music | ||||
| Internet TLD | .sm | ||||
| Calling Code | +378 (+0549 from Italy) | ||||
The Most Serene Republic of San Marino or San Marino ( Italian: Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino or San Marino) is one of the smallest nations in the world. Located in southern Europe, it is landlocked by Italy, and is one of the European microstates. San Marino is often claimed to be the oldest republic in the world. It was founded in 301 A.D. by Marinus, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
History
Politics
The Consiglio Grande e Generale ("Grand and General Council") is elected by popular vote every five years. This parliament selects two of its members to serve as Capitani Reggenti ("Ruling Captains") for periods of six months. The Capitani Reggenti and the cabinet form the executive branch of the government.
The Council also elects the Consiglio dei XII (Council of Twelve), which forms the judicial branch during the period of legislature of the Council.
Municipalities
San Marino is divided into the following nine municipalities, known locally as castelli or castles (sing. castello, each on a different hill, as depicted on the republic's coat of arms), that are also towns.
- The City of San Marino (Città di San Marino) is the eponymous capital. There are also eight minor municipalities:
- Acquaviva
- Borgo Maggiore
- Chiesanuova
- Domagnano
- Faetano
- Fiorentino
- Montegiardino
-
Serravalle
- Yet the 'larger' town of the Republic is
Dogana, that is not an autonomous castello but belongs to the castello of Serravalle.
Administrative division.
- Yet the 'larger' town of the Republic is
Dogana, that is not an autonomous castello but belongs to the castello of Serravalle.
In fact each castello, like Italian comuni, includes a main town that is the seat of the castello, called capoluogo, and some even smaller localities known as frazioni.
Geography
San Marino is an enclave in Italy, on the border between the regioni of Emilia-Romagna and Marche. Its topography is dominated by the Apennines mountain range, and it has a rugged terrain. The highest point in the country, Monte Titano, is situated at 749 m above sea level. There are no bodies of water of any significant size.
The climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers and mild winters.
San Marino is the third-smallest country in Europe, with only Vatican City and Monaco being smaller.
Economy
Although San Marino is not an official European Union member, it is allowed to use the euro as its currency by virtue of arrangements with the council of the European Union; it is also granted the right to use its own designs on the national side of the euro coins. Before the Euro, the Sammarinese lira was coupled to and exchangeable with the Italian lira. The small number of Sammarinese euro coins, as was the case with the lire before it, are primarily of interest to coin collectors.
The tourist sector contributes over 50% of San Marino's GDP, with more than 3.3 million tourists visiting in 1997. The key industries are banking, electronics, and ceramics. The main agricultural products are wine and cheese.
San Marino's postage stamps, which are only valid within the country, are mostly sold to philatelists and also form a source of income.
The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of Italy, which supplies much of its food.
Sport
One of the Formula One races, the San Marino Grand Prix, is named after the state, although it does not actually take place there. San Marino itself is considered too small to hold its own grand prix. It takes place at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in the Italian town of Imola, about 100 km northwest of San Marino, along the Via Emilia.
The national football association has been a member of FIFA since 1988, but the national team has yet to win an official match in over sixty attempts. Two results stand out for the San Marinese; a 0-0 draw with Turkey in 1993, and a 1-1 draw with Latvia in 2001 (both in World Cup qualifiers). Famously, they took a shock first minute lead against England in 1993, before succumbing 7-1. Also they have won one friendly, 1-0 against Liechtenstein in 2004.
There is a San Marino football league, called Campionato Sammarinese.
San Marino is the fatherland of Manuel Poggiali, Motorcycle World Champion in 2001 (125 cc with Gilera) and 2003 (250 cc with Aprilia).
Demographics
There is no significant difference between the demographics of San Marino and Italy.
The state has a population of more than 28,000, including 1,000 foreigners, most of whom are Italians. About 5,000 Sammarinese live in foreign countries, predominantly in Italy.
The language spoken is Italian, with the Emiliano-Romagnolo dialect, and Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion.