The Republic of San Marino is located in Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy overlooking the Adriatic Sea, completely surrounded by Italy.
It is the oldest constitutional republic in the world, with the founding date conventionally set on 3 September 301 AD.
It has an area of 61 km² and about 33,000 inhabitants, along with approximately 12,000 San Marino citizens living abroad.
San Marino is easily accessible thanks to convenient road connections with Italy and its proximity to the Bologna International Airport. San Marino is located in a privileged position for reaching various nearby art cities, such as Ravenna, Urbino, and Bologna, within an hour’s drive. Florence and Venice are two to three hours away by car.
History and institutions
LEGENDARY ORIGINS
San Marino has a very ancient history, which is handed down and lived by its people in a deep and sincere way.
San Marino’s origins are linked to the legendary figure of Saint Marinus, a stonemason from Dalmatia who founded a Christian community on Mount Titano in 301 AD, the first nucleus of the Republic.
The area was inhabited since prehistoric times, but more detailed historical records date back to the 13th century when San Marino began freeing itself from external powers. In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Republic consolidated its independence, and after the victorious war against the Malatesta in 1463, it reached its current territorial extension of 61 km². Despite difficulties, San Marino maintained its autonomy thanks to wise diplomatic alliances.
ADMINISTRATION
San Marino is a parliamentary republic with two Captains Regent (Heads of State) and a Parliament composed of 60 members.
The Captains Regent are always two and exercise their office in a joint manner. The official language is Italian, and the currency is the Euro, thanks to a Monetary Agreement with the European Union. The territory of the Republic of San Marino is administratively divided into nine townships, each named after its largest town, known as a “Castello.” (Castle)
WORLD HERITAGE
San Marino's Historic Center and Mount Titano were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.
“UNESCO’s recognition is linked to an intangible asset, i.e. the idea of a ‘Republic’, the long tradition of democracy and freedom based on self-government and republican and democratic principles.” Its historic center and Mount Titano bear witness to the establishment of a representative democracy based on civic autonomy, which has maintained its role as the capital of an independent Republic continuously since the 13th century.
Declaration of outsanding universal value
Montreal – Canada, 7 July 2008
