The Republic of San Marino is situated in the Apennine Mountains. San Marino is an enclave surrounded by Italy. It is the 3rd smallest country in Europe. It is the abode of the smallest population of all the member nations of the Council of Europe. In spite of being a non-member state of the European Union, it is allowed to use the euro as its currency. San Marino is recognized as the oldest republic in the world being founded in 301 AD and the constitution of San Marino is the oldest written constitution in the world. The city of San Marino is the capital of San Marino.

HISTORY:- San Marina is the oldest republic in the world. In 301 AD, a Christian stonemason named Marinus the Dalmatian took shelter in the island of Arbe to escape the anti-Christian Roman Emperor Diocletian. He established a church and a city near the Monte Titano. In 301 the oldest republic was set up and in 1631 the independence was recognized by the papacy. The country remained completely untouched during the Napoleonic Wars and the unification of Italy. During the World War I, San Marino declared war on Austria-Hungary in 1915. During the World War II, the country remained neutral.

GEOGRAPHY:- San Marino is located at 43 46 N, 12 25 E in Southern Europe, spanning through 61.2 sq km area with no major internal waters. The country is an enclave in central Italy thus completely landlocked. The lowest point is Torrente Ausa (55 m) and the highest point is Monte Titano (755 m). The country is rugged mountainous.

CLIMATE:- The climate of San Marino is mostly Mediterranean with mild to cool winters and warm, sunny summers.

GOVERNMENT:- San Marino is a republic since 301 AD. The constitution was adopted on 8th October 1600. Later the constitution was amended after the electoral law of 1926. The legal system is based on the civil law system along with slight Italian influences. The three principal branches of the government are:

Executive branch comprises the captains regent (Co-chiefs of State), the Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs (head of government), and the Congress of State. The Captains Regents are elected by the Great and General Council on a 6-month term. The secretary of state for foreign and political affairs is elected by the Great and General Council on a 5-year term. The Congress of State is elected by the Great and General Council on a 5-year term.

Legislative branch comprises the unicameral Grand and General Council (60 seats).

Judicial branch comprises the Council of Twelve.

 Communist Refoundation or RC, Ideas in Movement or IM, National Alliance or AN, New Socialist Party, Party of Socialists and Democrats, San Marino Christian Democratic Party or PDCS, San Marino Popular Alliance of Democrats or AP, San Marino Socialist Party or PSS, Socialists for Reform or SR, and United Left are the principal political parties of San Marino. Suffrage is imposed at the age of 18.

Captains Regent                                                      Rosa Zafferani and Federico Pedini  Amati

Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs    Fiorenzo Stolfi

Ambassador to the United States                             Paolo Rondelli

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS:- San Marina is divided into 9 municipalities: Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, and Serravalle.

CULTURE:- The cuisine of San Marino is very much closer to Italian cuisine. Football (soccer) is the most popular sport of San Marino. San Marino is known for the famous cake known as La Torta Di Tre Monti. The Three Towers of San Marino- Guaita, Cesta, Montale are situated on the Monte Titano.

ECONOMY:- Tourism is the most dominant sector in the economy of San Marino, accounting for 50% of the total GDP. Other major industries include banking, clothing and apparel, electronics, and ceramics. San Marino has the 3rd highest GDP per capita in the world.

DP/PPP (2004 est.): $850 million; per capita $34,100.

Real growth rate: 4.6%.

Inflation: -1.5% (2006).

Unemployment: 3.8% (2004).

Arable land: 17%.

Agriculture: Wheat, grapes, corn, olives; cattle, pigs, horses, beef, cheese, hides.

Labor force: 18,500 (1999); services 57%, industry 42%, agriculture 1% (2000 est.).

Budget:  

Revenues: $709.6 million

Expenditures: $672.3 million (2004)

Debt - external: $NA

Industries: Tourism, banking, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement, wine. Natural resource: building stone.

Exports: $1.291 billion (2004): building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, and ceramics.

Imports: $2.035 billion (2004): wide variety of consumer manufactures, food.

Monetary unit: Euro

LANGUAGE:- Italian is the official language of San Marino while Emiliano-Romagnolo is also widely spoken.

CITIES:- City of San Marino is the capital of San Marino whereas Dogana is the largest city of the country. Other major cities are Serravalle, Borgo Maggiore, and Domagnano.

POPULATION:- The population is estimated 29,615 with an average growth rate of 1.2%.

Density per sq mi: 1,278

Literacy rate: 96%

RACE:- Sammarinese and Italian reside in San Marino.

RELIGION:- The predominant religion of San Marino is Roman Catholic.

HEALTH:-

Birth rate: 9.74 births/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Death rate: 8.37 deaths/1,000 population (2008 est.)

Infant mortality rate: total: 5.44 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.88 years

Total fertility rate: 1.35 children born/woman (2008 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths: NA

Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2005): 3,191

UNICEF:- UNICEF is working on child health, nutrition, education and protection of Children and women’s rights.

TRANSPORTATION:-

Railways: 0 km; note: there is a 1.5 km cable railway connecting the city of San Marino to Borgo Maggiore.

Highways: total: 104 km; paved: 104 km; unpaved: 0 km (2003).

Ports and harbors: none.

Airports: none.

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