San Marino

San Marino, officially the Republic of San Marino, is a tiny country in Southern Europe. It is completely surrounded by Italy. It sits on the slopes of the Apennine Mountains and is the larger of two very small countries inside Italy. The other is Vatican City.

With an area of just over 61 square kilometres and a population of 34,042 as of 2025, it is the fifth-smallest country in the world.

San Marino claims to have been founded in the year AD 301. This makes it the oldest existing sovereign state and the oldest constitutional republic. It is named after Saint Marinus, a stonemason from the Roman island of Rab. He is said to have started a community on Monte Titano.

The country's government has two heads of state, called Captains Regent. They are chosen every six months from different political parties.

San Marino uses the euro as its currency. It is a member of the Council of Europe, though it is not part of the European Union. The official language is Italian, but a local dialect called Sammarinese is also used. The country's economy is strong, and it is one of the wealthiest places in the world.

History

Main article: History of San Marino

San Marino started with a man named Marinus and his friend Leo. They traveled from the island of Rab in modern-day Croatia to Rimini and then to a mountain named Monte Titano. Over time, this place became the country of San Marino. By the 5th or 6th century, monks lived in small groups there.

In the late 1200s and early 1300s, San Marino protected its independence from nearby rulers. By the 1400s, it grew by adding nearby areas like Chiesanuova, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, and Serravalle. In the 1500s, leaders like Cesare Borgia tried to take over but failed.

During the 1700s, San Marino stayed independent. In the 1800s, it helped people who supported Italian unification and later joined groups like the United Nations in 1992.

In World War I, San Marino stayed neutral but had some tension with Italy. During World War II, it also stayed neutral but was mistakenly bombed by Allied forces in 1944, which caused damage. The country helped many refugees during the war.

Geography

Main article: Geography of San Marino

San Marino is a small country surrounded by Italy in Southern Europe. It is near the Adriatic coast and has hilly land that is part of the Apennine mountains. The highest point, Monte Titano, is 749 meters above sea level. The lowest point is the Ausa River at 55 meters. San Marino is one of only three countries completely surrounded by another single country. It is the third-smallest in Europe and the fifth-smallest in the world.

Climate

San Marino has warm summers and cool winters, with rain all year. Snow is common in winter, especially at higher elevations.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of San Marino

See also: Constitution of San Marino, Elections in San Marino, Foreign relations of San Marino, San Marino passport, Law enforcement in San Marino, and Capital punishment in San Marino

San Marino is a parliamentary representative democratic republic. It has two leaders called captains regent who change every six months. They are chosen by a group of elected people called the Grand and General Council. The council makes laws and helps run the country. San Marino’s government is similar to other countries, with groups that help make decisions and follow rules.

The Grand and General Council has 60 members who are voted in by citizens every five years. People who are 18 and older can vote. The council picks leaders, makes budgets, and decides on important things for the country.

Administrative divisions

Main articles: Castelli of San Marino and List of curazie in San Marino

San Marino is divided into nine areas called castelli. Each castello has its own leader and a small group of people who help make decisions. The nine castelli are the City of San Marino, Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, and Serravalle.

Military

Main article: Sammarinese Armed Forces

San Marino’s military is very small. Italy helps protect San Marino. San Marino has groups that do special jobs, like guarding important buildings and helping the police. One famous group is the Crossbow Corps, which started long ago and now only shows skills at festivals.

Guard of the Rock

The Guard of the Rock helps protect San Marino’s borders and the main government building. They are often seen by visitors when they change guards. They wear special red and green uniforms.

Guard of the Grand and General Council

This group, known for its blue, white, and gold uniforms, protects the captains regent and helps during important meetings. They also appear at festivals.

Company of Uniformed Militia

This group used to include many citizens but now mainly performs ceremonial duties. People can join if they have lived in San Marino for six years or more.

Military Ensemble

This is a band that plays music at important events. They wear uniforms similar to other military groups.

Gendarmerie

The Gendarmerie is a full-time group that helps keep order and protect people. They work with volunteer groups to keep San Marino safe.

Economy

Main article: Economy of San Marino

See also: Sammarinese euro coins, Postage stamps and postal history of San Marino, and List of banks in San Marino

San Marino is a well-developed country. It is not part of the European Union but uses the euro as its money because of an agreement with the Council of the European Union. Before the euro, San Marino used the Sammarinese lira, linked to the Italian lira. San Marino makes its own designs for euro coins, popular with coin collectors. Important jobs include banking, making electronics, and creating ceramics. The main farming products are wine and cheese. San Marino buys many things from Italy.

San Marino sells its own postage stamps, mostly bought by stamp lovers. The country has more cars per person than any other country in the world, being one of only a handful of countries with more vehicles than people.

Conventions with Italy

San Marino and Italy have had agreements since 1862 about certain economic activities. Growing tobacco and making things that Italy controls are not allowed in San Marino. Directly importing goods is also not allowed; everything must go through Italy first. San Marino cannot make its own money but can print its own stamps. It must use coins made in Italy’s mint, though it can still make gold coins called Scudi. Gambling is allowed but casinos were banned before 2007. There is one casino that can operate.

In return for these rules, Italy gives San Marino sea salt, tobacco, cigarettes, and matches every year without charge. There are no border checks between San Marino and Italy. Visitors can buy special stamps at the tourist office to put in their passports.

Taxation

San Marino has taxes set up to attract businesses and help the economy grow. Normal companies pay 17% tax, but new businesses pay 8.5% for the first five years if they follow certain job rules. San Marino also has different tax rates for people depending on how much money they make.

San Marino does not use the same tax system as many other places. Instead, it has a single tax on goods when they come into the country, set at 17%.

Because San Marino’s taxes are lower than Italy’s, many businesses choose to operate there to save money.

Tourism

Main article: Tourism in San Marino

The tourism part of San Marino’s economy is big, making up over 22% of the country’s total money. About 2 million tourists visit each year.

Transport

Main article: Transport in San Marino

The Azienda Autonoma di Stato per i Servizi Pubblici, San Marino’s state company for public transport, runs the country’s bus system and aerial cablecar system.

Road

The main road is the San Marino Highway, which connects Borgo Maggiore and Dogana through Domagnano and Serravalle. After leaving San Marino, the road continues into Italy and connects to other places. Several taxi companies work in San Marino.

Buses and coaches

As of December 2023, eight bus routes operate only within San Marino. Most start in the City of San Marino and go to places like Borgo Maggiore, Domagnano, Serravalle, Dogana, and the hospital. Some bus companies from Italy also run services close to San Marino, connecting to places like Rimini. Coaches from Rimini and San Marino travel together, stopping at several spots before reaching Rimini.

Aerial cablecar system

Main article: Funivia di San Marino

The Funivia di San Marino is an aerial cablecar system that goes from Borgo Maggiore up to the City of San Marino. It runs every fifteen minutes and takes two minutes, showing great views of San Marino, the Province of Rimini, and the Adriatic Sea. It is a popular place for visitors and a symbol of San Marino. About 500,000 people ride the cablecar each year. It started in 1959 and was updated in later years.

Aviation

See also: Federico Fellini International Airport

The airports closest to San Marino are in Rimini, Forlì, Ancona, and Bologna. Since the 1980s, San Marino and Italy have had agreements about San Marino using the airport in Rimini. In 2002, San Marino bought a small share in the airport’s company. In 2018, the airport’s name was changed to include San Marino.

San Marino has a small airfield called Torraccia Airfield used for private planes. It has a grass runway and is used for flying lessons and tours.

There used to be a place for helicopters, but it closed in 1969.

Railway

Main article: Ferrovia Rimini–San Marino

San Marino does not have regular railways, but it has a short heritage railway that opened in 2012. There used to be a longer railway between Rimini and San Marino, but it was bombed during the Second World War and later stopped. Some people in both San Marino and Italy would like to bring the old railway back. There was also a railway station just over the border in Italy that served San Marino until 1960.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of San Marino

San Marino has about 34,000 people. Most are citizens of San Marino, some have Italian citizenship, and a few are from other countries. Many people from San Marino live in places like Italy, the US, France, and Argentina. The main language is Italian, and some older people speak Romagnol, a special local language.

San Marino has many well-known people, such as musicians, athletes, and leaders. For example, there are football players, singers, and even someone who won a medal in the Olympics!

San Marino is mostly a place where people follow the Catholic faith, though it is not the official religion. Most people go to church regularly. There are also small groups of people who follow other religions.

San Marino has its own university and music school.

Notable people

• Giovanni Battista Belluzzi (1506 in San Marino – 1554), architect
• Francesco Maria Marini (fl. 1637), composer of early Baroque music
• Francesco de' Marini (1630 in Genova – 1700), Catholic archbishop
• Antonio Onofri (1759–1825), statesman, "Father of his Country".
• Little Tony (1941 in Tivoli – 2013), pop and rock musician
• Luciano Maiani (born 1941 in Rome), physicist and Director-General of CERN.
• Pasquale Valentini (born 1953 in San Marino), politician who has held multiple ministerial posts
• Massimo Bonini (born 1959 in San Marino), football player who played for Juventus
• Marco Macina (born 1964 in San Marino), footballer who played for Bologna FC, Parma, Reggiana, and AC Milan.
• Valentina Monetta (born 1975 in San Marino), singer who represented San Marino four times in the Eurovision Song Contest
• Manuel Poggiali (born 1983 in San Marino), Grand Prix motorcycle road racing World Champion
• Alex de Angelis (born 1984 in Rimini), Grand Prix motorcycle road racer
• Alessandra Perilli (born 1988 in Rimini), shooting Olympic silver and bronze medalist and first San Marino citizen to win a medal (Tokyo 2020)
• Gian Marco Berti (born 1982 in San Marino), shooting Olympic silver medalist and second San Marino citizen to win a medal (Tokyo 2020)
• Myles Nazem Amine (born 1996 in Dearborn, Michigan), 2020 86 kg wrestling Olympic bronze medalist and third San Marino citizen to win a medal (Tokyo 2020)
• Chiara Beccari (born 2004 in San Marino), football player for Juventus

Religion

Main article: Religion in San Marino

San Marino is mostly a place where people follow the Catholic faith, though it is not the official religion. Most people go to church regularly. There are also small groups of people who follow other religions. There has been a Jewish community in San Marino for over 600 years. San Marino also has the first Shinto shrine in Europe.

Education

The main university in San Marino is the University of the Republic of San Marino, which includes a special school for studying history. There is also a music school and there used to be an academy that taught using the Esperanto language, but it closed in 2020.

Culture

The Three Towers of San Marino are on the peaks of Monte Titano in the capital city. They appear on the coat of arms and the flag of San Marino. The towers are Guaita, built in the 11th century; Cesta, from the 13th century and on the highest point of Monte Titano; and Montale, from the 14th century and on the smallest peak.

In 2008, San Marino's historic center and Mount Titano were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

San Marino has many museums and galleries. The Museum of Ancient Arms shows old weapons and armor. The State Museum has art and objects from San Marino's history. Other museums include ones for stamps and coins, modern art, natural history, and more.

The Teatro Nuovo in Dogana is the largest theatre in San Marino.

San Marino has a rich musical history, sharing traditions with Italy. Famous musicians from San Marino include composer Francesco Maria Marini and luthier Marino Capicchioni. The country has also taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest several times.

Cuisine

Main article: Sammarinese cuisine

San Marino's food is very similar to Italian cuisine. A well-known dish is Torta Tre Monti, a chocolate-covered wafer cake shaped like the Three Towers.

Sport

Main article: Sport in San Marino

See also: Football in San Marino and San Marino at the Olympics

Football is the most popular sport in San Marino. Basketball and volleyball are also enjoyed. San Marino has its own football team.

San Marino has a professional baseball team that plays in Italy’s top league. Shooting is also popular, and San Marino has won Olympic medals in this sport.