The Most Serene Republic of San Marino (Italian: Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino) is the third smallest nation in Europe (after Monaco and the Holy See). Located in southern Europe, it is an enclave surrounded by Italy, and is one of the European microstates. San Marino is the oldest constitutional republic in the world still in existence
today. It was founded in A.D. 301 by Marinus from Rab, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian.
San Marino is the fifth least-populous sovereign country in the world (larger only than the Vatican City, Tuvalu, Nauru, and Palau). It is the smallest member of the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) unofficial political-geographical grouping of the United Nations. It is also the smallest non-English speaking member of the United Nations. It is the smallest country or other jurisdiction participating in European football competitions.
During World War II San Marino was able to officially remain neutral. Axis forces retreated through the country and were pursued by the US and Great Britain. The allied troops left the country a few weeks later. The head of state is a committee (council) of two captains-regent. San Marino also holds the record for the world's first democratically elected communist government, which held office between 1945 and 1957. San Marino was the world's smallest republic from 301 to 1968, losing the title to the newly independent Nauru. San Marino became a member of the Council of Europe in 1988 and of the UN in 1992. It is not a member of the European Union.
San Marino is divided into the following nine municipalities, known locally as castelli or castles (sing. castello, each on a different hill, as depicted on the republic's coat of arms), that are also towns to the world.
Each castello, like Italian comuni, includes a main town that is the seat of the castello, called capoluogo, and some even smaller localities known as frazioni.
San Marino is an enclave in Italy, on the border between the regioni of Emilia Romagna and Marche. Its topography is dominated by the Apennines mountain range, and it has a rugged terrain. The highest point in the country, Monte Titano, is situated at 749 metres (2,457 ft) above sea level. There are no bodies of water of any significant size. The climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers and mild winters. San Marino is the third-smallest country in Europe, with only Vatican City and Monaco being smaller.
The tourist sector contributes over 50% of San Marino's GDP, with more than 3.3 million tourists visiting in 1997. Other key industries are banking, electronics, and ceramics. The main agricultural products are wine and cheese. San Marino's postage stamps, which are only valid for mail posted within the country, are mostly sold to philatelists and also form a source of income. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of Italy, which supplies much of its food.
