San Marino

San Marino Background

The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco) also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor.

San Marino Information

• Population: 28,503 (July 2004 est.)
• Nationality: noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural) adjective: Sammarinese
• Location:: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
• Religions:: Roman Catholic
• Ethnic Groups:: Sammarinese, Italian
• Land Boundaries:: total: 39 km border countries: Italy 39 km
• Area: total: 61.2 sq km water: 0 sq km land: 61.2 sq km
• Coast Line: 0 km (landlocked)
• Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
• Terrain: rugged mountains
• Maritime Claims: none (landlocked)
• Land Use: arable land: 16.67% permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (2001)
• Environmental Issues: NA
• Natural Resources: building stone
• Highways: total: 220 km paved: 220 km unpaved: 0 km (2001)
• Railways:
• Ports & Harbours: none
• Airports: