MONETARY UNIT: The Italian lira was replaced by the euro as official currency as of 2002. The euro is divided into 100 cents. There are coins in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents and 1 euro and 2 euros. There are notes of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 euros. €1 = $1.25475 (or $1 = €0.79697) as of 2005. The country issues its own coins in limited numbers as well. Coins of San Marino may circulate in both the republic and in Italy.

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: The metric system is the legal standard.

HOLIDAYS: New Year’s Day, 1 January; Epiphany, 6 January; Anniversary of St. Agatha, second patron saint of the republic, and of the liberation of San Marino (1740), 5 February; Anniversary of the Arengo, 25 March; Investiture of the Captains-Regent, 1 April and 1 October; Labor Day, 1 May; Fall of Fascism, 28 July; Assumption and August Bank Holiday, 14–16 August; Anniversary of the Foundation of San Marino, 3 September; All Saint’s Day, 1 November; Commemoration of the Dead, 2 November; Immaculate Conception, 8 December; Christmas, 24–26 December; New Year’s Eve, 31 December. Movable religious holidays include Easter Monday and Ascension.

TIME: 1 pm = noon GMT.

1 Location and Size

San Marino is the third-smallest country in Europe, with an area of 61.20 square kilometers (24 square miles), which is about one-third the size of Washington, D.C. It is a landlocked state completely surrounded by Italy, with a total boundary length of 39 kilometers (24 miles). The capital city, also called San Marino, is located slightly northwest of the center of the country.

2 Topography

The town of San Marino is on the slopes and at the summit of Mount Titano, the three-peaked mountain that marks the highest point of the country at 755 meters (2,477 feet). Level areas around the base of Mount Titano provide land for agricultural use. The lowest point in the country lies along the Torrente Ausa, which has an elevation of 55 meters (180 feet).

GEOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Geographic Features

Area: 61.2 sq km (24 sq mi)

Size ranking: 190 of 194

Highest elevation: 755 meters (2,477 feet) at Monte Titano

Lowest elevation: 55 meters (180 feet) at Torrente Ausa

Land Use*

Arable land: 17%

Permanent crops: 0%

Other: 83%

Weather**

Average annual precipitation: 83.6 centimeters (32.6 inches)

Average temperature in January: 5°c (41°f)

Average temperature in July: 19.3°c (66.7°f)

* Arable Land: Land used for temporary crops, like meadows for mowing or pasture, gardens, and greenhouses.

Permanent crops: Land cultivated with crops that occupy its use for long periods, such as cocoa, coffee, rubber, fruit and nut orchards, and vineyards.

Other: Any land not specified, including built-on areas, roads, and barren land.

** The measurements for precipitation and average temperatures were taken at weather stations closest to the country’s largest city.

Precipitation and average temperature can vary significantly within a country, due to factors such as latitude, altitude, coastal proximity, and wind patterns.

3 Climate

The climate is similar to that of northeastern Italy: rather mild in winter, but with temperatures frequently below freezing, and warm and pleasant in the summer, reaching a maximum of 26°c (79°f). Annual rainfall averages 83.6 centimeters (32.6 inches).

4 Plants and Animals

The republic has generally the same plants and animals as northeastern Italy. The hare, squirrel, badger, fox, and porcupine are among the more common animals seen. Most of the landscape has been cultivated with orchards, vineyards, and olive groves.

5 Environment

Urbanization is the primary environmental concern; however, the country has shown great care for environmental protection and preservation both within its own borders and in the global arena. Although San Marino has no endangered species, the lesser horseshoe bat and the common otter are listed as vulnerable.

6 Population

The resident population was estimated at 30,000 in 2005. Population density that year was 459 persons per square kilometer (1,189 per square mile). In 2005, about 5,000 people lived in the capital, also called San Marino.

7 Migration

Immigrants come chiefly from Italy and emigrants move mainly to Italy, the United States, France, and Belgium. In 2000, the number of migrants living in San Marino was 9,000, approximately one-third of the total population. In 2005, the estimated net migration rate was 10.8 migrants per 1,000 population.

8 Ethnic Groups

The Sanmarinese are mostly of Italian origin.

9 Languages

Italian is the official language.

10 Religions

Roman Catholicism is the dominant faith. While the country itself provides no statistics on the size of religious groups, estimates indicate that 95% of the population are Roman Catholic, with the remaining 5% comprised of members of the Waldensian Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Baha’is, and Muslims.

11 Transportation

Streets and roads within the republic totaled about 220 kilometers (140 miles) in 2002, and there is regular bus service between San Marino and the Italian city of Rimini. Motor vehicle registrations included 22,945 passenger cars and 3,546 commercial vehicles. There is helicopter service between San Marino and Rimini in summer.

12 History

San Marino is the oldest republic in the world. It is the sole survivor of the independent states that existed in Italy at various times, from the downfall of the western Roman Empire to the proclamation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

According to tradition, the republic was founded in the fourth century ad by Marinus, a Christian stonecutter who fled from Dalmatia (across the Adriatic Sea from Italy in present-day Croatia) to avoid religious persecution. Later canonized, Saint Marinus is known in Italian as San Marino. There was a monastery in San Marino in existence at least as early as 885.

Because of the poverty of the region and the mountainous terrain, San Marino was rarely disturbed by outside powers. It was briefly held by Cesare Borgia (an Italina military and church leader) in 1503, but in 1549 its sovereignty (independence) was confirmed by Pope Paul III. In 1739, a military force under Cardinal Giulio Alberoni occupied San Marino. In the following year, Pope Clement II terminated the occupation

BIOGRAPHICAL PROFILE

Name: Fabio Berardi

Position: Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs

Took Office: December 2003

Birthplace: Borgo Maggiore, San Marino

Birthdate: 26 May 1959

Note: In July 2006, Berardi was replaced as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by Fiorenzio Stolfi.

and signed a treaty of friendship with the tiny republic. Napoleon allowed San Marino to retain its liberty.

In 1849, Giuseppe Garibaldi, the liberator of Italy, took refuge from the Austrians in San Marino. San Marino and Italy entered into a treaty of friendship in 1862, which is still in effect. From 1922 to 1943, during the period of Benito Mussolini’s rule in Italy, San Marino adopted a Fascist type of government. Despite its neutrality in World War II (1939–45), San Marino was bombed by Allied planes on 26 June 1944. The raid caused heavy damage, especially to the railway line, and killed a number of people.

Since 1945, government control has shifted between parties of the right and left, often in coalitions. In 1986, a Communist-Christian Democratic coalition came to power. As of 2003, the ruling coalition was composed of the Christian Democratic Party and the Socialist Party.

In 1999, San Marino joined the European Monetary Union and adopted the euro as its currency. In June 2000, Sanmarinese banks were accused of making the country a tax haven. San Marino promised to reform its banking practices.

Because San Marino has a customs union with Italy, it enjoys all of the benefits that flow from European Union (EU) membership. However, San Marino’s goal ultimately is to become a full member of the EU.

13 Government

Legislative power is exercised by the Grand and General Council of 60 members, regularly elected every five years by a vote of all citizens aged 18 or older. The Council elects from among its members a State Congress of ten members, which makes and carries out most administrative decisions. Two members of the council are named every six months to head the executive branch of the government; one represents the town of San Marino and the other the countryside. The terms of these officials, called captains-regent (capitani reggenti), begin on 1 April and 1 October. The captains-regent, who must be native-born citizens, may become eligible for reelection after three years. The office of secretary of state for foreign affairs operates like the office of prime minister. San Marino consists of nine administrative divisions, or castles (castelli).

14 Political Parties

The political parties in San Marino have close ties with the corresponding parties in Italy. Following the June 2006 elections, party representation in the legislature was as follows: San Marino Christian Democratic Party (PDCS), 21; the Party of Socialists and Democrats, 20; San Marino Popular Alliance of Democrats (APDS), 7; United Left, 5; and the New Socialist Party, 3.

15 Judicial System

There is a civil court, a criminal court, and a superior court. Most criminal cases are tried before Italian magistrates because, with the exception of minor civil suits, the judges in cases in San Marino are not allowed to be citizens of San Marino. The highest appellate court is the Council of Twelve.

16 Armed Forces

The San Marino militia officially consists of all able-bodied citizens between the ages of 16 and 55, but the armed forces are principally for purposes of ceremonial display.

17 Economy

Farming was formerly the principal occupation, but it has been replaced in importance by light manufacturing. The main sources of income, however, are tourism and payments by citizens of San Marino living abroad. Some government revenue comes from the sale of postage stamps and coins and from a subsidy by Italy. The gross domestic product growth has been impressive and consistent, averaging 7.7% from 1997–2001. After a dip to 2.3% in 2002, growth had recovered, to 7.5%, by 2005.

18 Income

In 2005, San Marino’s gross domestic product (GDP) was $940 million, or $34,600 per person. The annual growth rate of GDP was estimated at 7.5%. The average inflation rate in 2002 was 3.3%.

19 Industry

Manufacturing is limited to light industries such as textiles, bricks and tiles, leather goods, clothing, and metalwork. Cotton textiles are woven at Serravalle; bricks and tiles are made in La Dogana, which also has a dyeing plant; and cement factories and a tannery are located in Acquaviva, as well as a paper-making plant. Synthetic rubber also is produced. The pottery of Borgo Maggiore is well known. Gold and silver souvenirs are made for the tourist trade. Other products are Moscato wine, olive oil, and baked goods.

20 Labor

The labor force in 2003 totaled about 19,970. The service sector provided employment for 57% of the workforce, with industry accounting for 42% and agriculture 1%. The unemployment rate in 2001 stood at 2.6%.

The minimum working age is 16, without any exceptions. In 2001, the minimum wage was $1,200 per month, although most wages are higher than the minimum.

21 Agriculture

About 17% of the land is arable. Annual crop production includes wheat and grapes, as well as other grains, vegetables, fruits, and livestock feed.

22 Domesticated Animals

Livestock raising uses some 1,400 hectares (3,500 acres) of land, or about 23% of the total area. Cattle, hogs, sheep, and horses are raised.

23 Fishing

There was no significant commercial fishing in San Marino.

24 Forestry

Small quantities of wood are cut for local use.

25 Mining

San Marino had no commercial mineral resources.

26 Foreign Trade

Principal exports are wine, textiles, furniture, quarried stone, ceramics, and handicrafts. The chief imports are raw materials and a wide variety of consumer goods. San Marino has a customs union with Italy.

27 Energy and Power

Electric power is imported from Italy.

28 Social Development

The government maintains a comprehensive social insurance program, including disability, family supplement payments, and old-age pensions. There is universal medical coverage and maternity benefits of 100% of earnings for five months. In 2000, parliament approved a measure that gives women the same rights as men to transmit citizenship to a spouse or child.

29 Health

Public health institutions include the state hospital, a dispensary for the poor, and a laboratory of hygiene. All citizens receive free, comprehensive medical care.

In 2005, estimated average life expectancy was 81.6 years (78 years for men and 86 years

for women) and the infant mortality rate was estimated at 5.7 per 1,000 live births.

30 Housing

In 1986, San Marino had 7,926 dwellings, nearly all with electricity and piped-in water. Most new construction is financed privately.

31 Education

Primary education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 16. Children go through five years of primary education followed by three years of secondary education at the first stage and a further three years of senior secondary school. Sanmarinese students are able to pursue higher education at Italian universities. There are also vocational training schools and a technical institute. As of 2005, the adult literacy rate has been estimated at 96%.

32 Media

In 1998, there were three FM radio stations and one television station receiving mostly foreign broadcasts. In 1997, there were about 595 radios per 1,000 population. In 2005, there were about 892 television sets for every 1,000 people. An automatic telephone system, integrated into Italy’s system, served 20,600 telephones in 2002. The same year, there were an additional 16,800

Selected Social Indicators

The statistics below are the most recent estimates available as of 2006. For comparison purposes, data for the United States and averages for low-income countries and high-income countries are also given. About 15% of the world’s 6.5 billion people live in high-income countries, while 37% live in low-income countries.

Indicator	San Marino	Low-income countries	High-income countries	United States
sources: World Bank. World Development Indicators. Washington, D.C.: The World Bank, 2006; Central Intelligence Agency. The World Factbook. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 2006; World Resources Institute, Washington, D.C.
Per capita gross national income (GNI)*	$34,600	$2,258	$31,009	$39,820
Population growth rate	1.3%	2%	0.8%	1.2%
People per square kilometer of land	459	80	30	32
Life expectancy in years: male	78	58	76	75
female	86	60	82	80
Number of physicians per 1,000 people	n.a.	0.4	3.7	2.3
Number of pupils per teacher (primary school)	n.a.	43	16	15
Literacy rate (15 years and older)	96%	65%	>95%	99%
Television sets per 1,000 people	892	84	735	938
Internet users per 1,000 people	556	28	538	630
Energy consumed per capita (kg of oil equivalent)	n.a.	501	5,410	7,843
CO² emissions per capita (metric tons)	n.a.	0.85	12.97	19.92
* The GNI is the total of all goods and services produced by the residents of a country in a year. The per capita GNI is calculated by dividing a country’s GNI by its population and adjusting for relative purchasing power.
n.a.: data not available >: greater than <: less than

mobile cellular phones in use throughout the country. Internet access was widely available as of 2004; about half of all citizens (556 of every 1,000) had access to the Internet.

In 2005, there were several major daily newspapers: Il Nuovo Titano (circulation 1,300), Riscossa Socialista, Notiziario, La Tribuna San Marino, San Marino Oggi, and La Scintilia. There are also a number of government bulletins.

33 Tourism and Recreation

The government has promoted tourism so successfully that during summer months, the number of San Marino residents is often exceeded by the number of visitors. Growth in the tourist industry has increased the demand for San Marino’s stamps and coins, gold and silver souvenirs, handicrafts, and pottery. Tourism contributes about 50% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Principal attractions are the three medieval fortresses at the summit of Mount Titano (Monte Titano), the magnificent view of the Italian city of Rimini, and the Italian coast of the Adriatic Sea.

In 2000, there were 3,071,000 foreign visitors. There were 631 hotel rooms, with 1,625 beds and a 39% occupancy rate that year.

34 Famous Sanmarinese

Giambattista Belluzzi, a 16th-century military engineer in the service of Florence, was born in San Marino. Well-known Italians who were associated with San Marino include Cardinal Giulio Alberoni (1664–1752), who attempted to subject the republic to papal domination in 1739–40; Count Alessandro Cagliostro (Giuseppe Balsamo (1743–1795), a Sicilian adventurer, imposter, and alchemist; Bartolommeo Borghesi (1781–1860), an antiquarian, epigrapher, and numismatist, who resided in San Marino from 1821 to 1860; and Giuseppe Garibaldi (1807–1882), the great Italian patriot, who obtained refuge from the Austrians in San Marino in 1849.

35 Bibliography

BOOKS

Catling, Christopher. Umbria, the Marches, and San Marino. Lincolnwood, IL: Passport Books, 1994.

Carrick, Noel. San Marino. New York: Chelsea House, 1988.

Eccardt, Thomas. Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. New York: Hippocrene Books, 2004.