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.

Area
Total: 60 km²
Land: 60 km²
Comparative: about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC

Land boundaries: 39 km; Italy 39 km

Coastline: none - landlocked

Maritime claims: none - landlocked
Disputes: none

Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers

Terrain: rugged mountains

Natural resources: building stones

Land use: arable land: 17%; permanent crops: 0%; meadows and pastures 0%; forest and woodland 0%; other 83%

Population: 23,404 (July 1992), growth rate 0.6% (1992)

Nationality:

Ethnic groups: Sanmarinese, Italian

Languages: Italian

Religions: Roman Catholic

Birth rate: 8 births/1000 population (1992)

Death rate: 7 deaths/1000 population (1992)

Net migration rate: 5 migrants/1000 population (1992)

Environment
Current issues: dominated by the Appenines
Current issues note: landlocked; world's smallest republic; enclave of Italy

Infant mortality rate: 8 deaths/1000 live births (1992)

Life expectancy at birth: 74 years male, 79 years female (1992)

Total fertility rate: 1.3 children born/woman (1992)

Literacy: 96% (male 96%, female 95%) age 14 and over can read and write (1976)

Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of San Marino

Government type: republic

Capital: San Marino

Administrative divisions:

Independence: 301 AD (by tradition)

National holiday:

Constitution: 8 October 1600; electoral law of 1926 serves some of the functions of a constitution

Legal system: based on civil law system with Italian law influences; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage: universal at age 18
Great and General Council:
Communists: about 300 members

Executive branch: two captains regent, Congress of State (cabinet; real executive power is wielded by the secretary of state for foreign affairs and the secretary of state for internal affairs

Legislative branch:

Judicial branch: Council of Twelve (Consiglio dei XII)

International organization participation: CE, CSCE, ICAO, ICFTU, ILO, IMF (observer), IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WTO
Diplomatic representation:
US: no mission in San Marino, but the Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino; Consulate General at Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, 38, 50,123 Firenze, Italy (mailing address is APO AE 9,613; telephone 39 (55) 239-8,276 through 8,279 and 217-605; FAX 39 (55) 284-088

Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of white (top) and light blue with the national coat of arms superimposed in the center; the coat of arms has a shield (featuring three towers on three peaks) flanked by a wreath, below a crown and above a scroll bearing the word

Economy overview: More than 2 million tourists visit each year, contributing about 60% to GDP. The sale of postage stamps to foreign collectors is another important income producer. The manufacturing sector employs nearly 40% of the labor force and agriculture less than 4%. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to northern Italy.
GDP: purchasing power equivalent - $400 million, per capita $17,000; real growth rate NA% (1991 est.)

Agriculture products: employs less than 4% of labor force; products - wheat, grapes, corn, olives, meat, cheese, hides; small numbers of cattle, pigs, horses; depends on Italy for food imports

Industries: wine, olive oil, cement, leather, textile, tourism

Industrial production growth rate: growth rate NA%

Labor force: about 4,300
Organized labor:

Unemployment rate: 6.5% (1985)

Budget:

Fiscal year: calendar year

Imports: see

Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,248.4 (March 1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989), 1,301.6 (1988), 1,296.1 (1987)

Electricity
Production: supplied by Italy

Military expenditures
Percent of gdp: exchange rate conversion - $NA, NA% of GDP