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.

Map reference: Europe, Standard Time Zones of the World

Area
Total area total: 60 km²
Land: 60 km²

Land boundaries: total 39 km, Italy 39 km

Coastline: 0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims: none; landlocked

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

Terrain: rugged mountains

Natural resources: building stone

Land use
Arable land: 17%
Permanent crops: 0%
Meadows and pastures: 0%
Forest and woodland: 0%
Other: 83%

Irrigated land: NA km²

Natural hazards: signed, but not ratified - Air Pollution, Biodiversity, Climate Change

Geography
Note: landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines

Population: 24,091 (July 1994 est.)
Growth rate: 0.96% (1994 est.)

Nationality: noun:Sammarinese (singular and plural)

Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian

Languages: Italian

Religions: Roman Catholic

Population growth rate: 0.96% (1994 est.)

Birth rate: 11.17 births/1000 population (1994 est.)

Death rate: 7.39 deaths/1000 population (1994 est.)

Net migration rate: 5.77 migrant(s)/1000 population (1994 est.)

Environment
Current issues international agreements: NA
Current issues current issues: NA

Infant mortality rate: 5.6 deaths/1000 live births (1994 est.)

Life expectancy at birth
Total population: 81.23 years
Male: 77.17 years
Female: 85.28 years (1994 est.)

Total fertility rate: 1.53 children born/woman (1994 est.)

Literacy: age 14 and over can read and write (1976)
Total population: 96%
Male: 96%
Female: 95%

Country name
Conventional long form: Republic of San Marino
Conventional short form:

Government type: republic

Capital: Administrative divisions:9 municipalities (castelli, singular - castello; Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Monte Giardino, San Marino, Serravalle

Independence: 301 AD (by tradition)

National holiday: Anniversary of the Foundation of the Republic, 3 September

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: 18 years of age; universal

Executive branch
Cochiefs of state: Captain Regent Alberto CECCHETTI and Captain Regent Fausto MULARONI (for the period 1 April 1994-30 September 1994) real executive power is wielded by the secretary of state for foreign affairs and the secretary of state for internal affairs
Head of government: Secretary of State Gabriele GATTI (since July 1986)

Legislative branch: public security or police force
Great and General Council: (Consiglio Grande e Generale) elections last held 30 May 1993 (next to be held by NA May 1998); results - DCS 41.4%, PSS 23.7%, PDP 18.6%, ADP 7.7%, MD 5.3%, RC 3.3%; seats - (60 total) DCS 26, PSS 14, PDP 11, ADP 4, MD 3, RC 2

Judicial branch: Council of Twelve (Consiglio dei XII)

International organization participation: CE, CSCE, ECE, ICAO, ICFTU, ILO, IMF, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, LORCS, NAM (guest), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WHO, WIPO, WTO

Diplomatic representation
From the us honorary consulates general: Washington and New York
From the us honorary consulates: Detroit
From the us: no mission in San Marino, but the Consul General in Florence (Italy) is accredited to San Marino

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 LIBERTAS (Liberty)

Economy overview: The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP. In 1991 more than 3.1 million tourists visited San Marino, 2.7 million of whom were Italians. The key industries are wearing apparel, electronics, and ceramics. Main agricultural products are wine and cheeses. The per capita level of output and standard of living are comparable to those of Italy.

Real gdp growth rate: NA%

Real gdp per capita: $16,000 (1992 est.)

Agriculture products: employs 3% of labor force; products - wheat, grapes, maize, 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: NA%; accounts for 42% of workforce

Labor force: 4,300 (est.)
By occupation: NA

Unemployment rate: 3% (1991)

Budget: revenues:$275 million

Fiscal year: calendar year

Exports: trade data are included with the statistics for Italy; commodity trade consists primarily of exchanging building stone, lime, wood, chestnuts, wheat, wine, baked goods, hides, and ceramics for a wide variety of consumer manufactures

Imports: see exports

Debt external: $NA

Exchange rates: Italian lire (Lit) per US$1 - 1,700.2 (January 1994), 1,573.7 (1993), 1,232.4 (1992), 1,240.6 (1991), 1,198.1 (1990), 1,372.1 (1989)

Electricity
Capacity: supplied by Italy

Military expenditures
Dollar figure: $3.7 million (1992 est.), 1% of GDP

Disputes international: none