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San Marino is an independent state that constitutes an
enclave in Italy. It is a small republic, with a
dimension of 61.2 km2. It is located on the
slope of Mount Titano, in Central Italy, close to the
Adriatic Sea, between the regions of Romagna and
Marche. San Marino is surrounded by Italy and has an
irregular rectangular shape. The landscape is dominated
by an immense stretch of limestone from Mount
Titano. The silhouette of this mountain was crowned
three times by ancient peoples, with fortifications that
can be seen many miles away. The main cities are
Serravalle / Dogano, with 8800 inhabitants (2004), Borgo
Maggiore (6400 inhab.), San Marino - the capital (4300
inhab.) - and Domagnano (2600 inhab.). The climate is
temperate Mediterranean.
Economy
This territory has no mineral resources; the economy
lies in the entrepreneurial strength of its
inhabitants. Industry, tourism, trade and agriculture
are the main sectors of the economy. Tourism is the
activity that is expanding. Traditional products from
San Marino include ceramic and iron items. Environmental
indicator: the value of carbon dioxide emissions, per
capita , has not been attributed.
Population
In 2006, 29 251 people resided in this republic (est.
2006). The population density corresponds to 473.44
inhab./km2. The birth and death rates are,
respectively, 10.02% and 8.17%. Average life expectancy
is 81.71 years. Neither the Human Development Index
(HDI) nor the Gender Adjusted Development Index (IDG)
was assigned (2001). It is estimated that in 2025 the
population will be 34,600 inhabitants. The population is
mostly from San Marino (83%), with a minority of
Italians (12%). The inhabitants of the republic practice
the Catholic religion (95%). The official language is
Italian, although Celto-Galician, Lombard and Romagna
dialects are spoken.
History
The Republic of San Marino had its origin in the 4th
century AD. C., when, according to the tradition, San
Marino and a group of Christians settled in this place
to escape the persecutions. Later, in the 12th century,
it developed into a self-regulated community with its
own statutes. This community felt able to become
autonomous, had it not been usurped by neighboring
bishoprics, partly because of its isolation and the
fortifications built on the hills. In the mid-15th
century it was a republic ruled by Arengo's 60-man Grand
Council. Protected from serious attacks, including the
occupation of César Borgia, San Marino survived the
Renaissance as an Italian city-state relic. Having been
regulated by an oligarchy that the Papal State tried to
annex, the 18th century marked the beginning of the
republic's decline. When Napoleon invaded Italy, he
respected the independence of the republic and offered
to increase its territory in 1797. The Vienna Congress
of 1815 recognized his status as independent. During the
19th century, with the movement towards Italian
unification, San Marino offered asylum to
revolutionaries, including Giuseppe Garibaldi. The
Constitution of San Marino was based on the statutes of
1600, which come from a parliamentary form of
government, which consists of 60 members elected for
five years, who have legislative and administrative
powers. Two governing captains are appointed every six
months. The Republic of San Marino is distinguished by
the continuity of institutions from the Middle Ages. The
Vienna Congress of 1815 recognized the status of
independence. During the 19th century, with the movement
towards Italian unification, San Marino offered asylum
to revolutionaries, including Giuseppe Garibaldi. The
Constitution of San Marino was based on the statutes of
1600, which come from a parliamentary form of
government, which consists of 60 members elected for
five years, who have legislative and administrative
powers. Two governing captains are appointed every six
months. The Republic of San Marino is distinguished by
the continuity of institutions from the Middle Ages. The
Vienna Congress of 1815 recognized the status of
independence. During the 19th century, with the movement
towards Italian unification, San Marino offered asylum
to revolutionaries, including Giuseppe Garibaldi. The
Constitution of San Marino was based on the statutes of
1600, which come from a parliamentary form of
government, which consists of 60 members elected for
five years, who have legislative and administrative
powers. Two governing captains are appointed every six
months. The Republic of San Marino is distinguished by
the continuity of institutions from the Middle Ages. who
come from a parliamentary form of government, which
consists of 60 members elected for five years, who have
legislative and administrative powers. Two governing
captains are appointed every six months. The Republic of
San Marino is distinguished by the continuity of
institutions from the Middle Ages. who come from a
parliamentary form of government, which consists of 60
members elected for five years, who have legislative and
administrative powers. Two governing captains are
appointed every six months. The Republic of San Marino
is distinguished by the continuity of institutions from
the Middle Ages.
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