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.
Government type:
republic
Capital: San Marino
Currency: euro (EUR)
Geography of San Marino
Location: Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy
Geographic coordinates: 43 46 N, 12 25 E
Area:
total: 60.5 sq km
land: 60.5 sq km
water: 0 sq km
Land boundaries:
total: 39 km
border countries: Italy 39 km
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers
Terrain: rugged mountains
Elevation extremes:
lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m
highest point: Monte Titano 749 m
Natural resources: building stone
Land use:
arable land: 17%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 83% (1993 est.)
Environment - international agreements:
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Nuclear
Test Ban
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution
Geography - note: landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the
Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines
People of San Marino
San Marino is comprised of native Sammarinese and Italian citizens. Crop
farming, sheep farming and the working of stone from the quarries formed the
early backbone of San Marino's economy.
Population: 28,880 (July 2005 est.)
Age structure:
0-14 years: 15.88%
15-64 years: 67.94%
65 years and over: 16.18%
Population growth rate: 1.45%
Birth rate: 10.76 births/1,000 population
Death rate: 7.68 deaths/1,000 population
Net migration rate: 11.45 migrant(s)/1,000 population
Infant mortality rate: 6.21 deaths/1,000 live births
Life expectancy at birth:
total population: 81.23 years
male: 77.68 years
female: 85.1 years
Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman
Nationality:
noun: Sammarinese (singular and plural)
adjective: Sammarinese
Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian
Religions: Roman Catholic
Languages: Italian
Literacy:
definition: age 10 and over can read and write
total population: 96%
male: 97%
female: 95% (1976 est.)
SOURCES: The World Factbook, U.S. Department of State |