San Marino - Information and Geography

San Marino - Information and Geography Population: 31,817 (July 2011 estimate)Capital: San MarinoBordering Countries: ItalyArea: 23 square miles (61 sq km)Highest Point: Monte Titano at 2,477 feet (755 m)Lowest Point: Torrente Ausa at 180 feet (55 m)San Marino is a small country located on the Italian Peninsula. It is completely surrounded by Italy and has an area of just 23 square miles (61 sq km) and a population of 31,817 people (July 2011 estimate). Its capital is the City of San Marino but its largest city is Dogana. San Marino is known as being the oldest independent constitutional republic in the world.History of San MarinoIt is believed that San Marino was founded in 301 C.E. by Marinus the Dalmatian, a Christian stonesman, when he fled the island of Arbe and hid on Monte Titano (U.S. Department of State). Marinus fled Arbe to escape the anti-Christian Roman Emperor Diocletian (U.S. Department of State). Shortly after he arrived at Monte Titano he founded a small Christian community that was later became a republi c called the Land of San Marino in honor of Marinus. Initially the government of San Marino consisted of an assembly made up of the heads of each family residing in the area. This assembly was known as the Arengo. This lasted until 1243 when the Captains Regent became joint heads of state. In addition, the original area of San Marino only included that of Monte Titano. In 1463 however San Marino joined an association that was against Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini. The association later defeated Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta and Pope Pius II Piccolomini gave San Marino the towns of Fiorentino, Montegiardino and Serravalle (U.S. Department of State). In addition, Faetano also joined the republic in the same year and its area expanded to a total of its current 23 square miles (61 sq km).San Marino has been invaded twice throughout its history - once in 1503 by Cesare Borgia and once in 1739 by Cardinal Alberoni. Borgias occupation of San Marino ended with his death several months after its occupation. Alberonis ended after the Pope restored the republics independence, which it has maintained ever since. Government of San MarinoToday the Republic of San Marino is considered a republic with an executive branch consisting of co-chiefs of state and a head of government. It also has a unicameral Grand and General Council for its legislative branch and a Council of Twelve for its judicial branch. San Marino is divided into nine municipalities for local administration and it joined the United Nations in 1992.Economics and Land Use in San MarinoSan Marinos economy is mainly focused on tourism and the banking industry, but it relies on imports from Italy for most of its citizens food supplies. The other main industries of San Marino are textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement and wine (CIA World Factbook). In addition agriculture takes place on limited level and the main products of that industry are wheat, grapes, corn, olives, cattle, pigs, horses, beef and hides (CIA World Factbook).Geography and Climate of San MarinoSan Marino is located in southern Europe on the Italian Peninsula. Its a rea consists of a landlocked enclave that is entirely surrounded by Italy. San Marinos topography mainly consists of rugged mountains and its highest elevation is Monte Titano at 2,477 feet (755 m). The lowest point in San Marino is Torrente Ausa at 180 feet (55 m).The climate of San Marino is Mediterranean and as such it has mild or cool winters and warm to hot summers. Most of San Marinos precipitation also falls during its winter months.To learn more about San Marino, visit the Geography and Maps section on San Marino on this website.ReferencesCentral Intelligence Agency. (16 August 2011). CIA - The World Factbook - San Marino. Retrieved from: https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sm.htmlInfoplease.com. (n.d.). San Marino: History, Geography, Government, and Culture- Infoplease.com. Retrieved from: infoplease.com/ipa/A0107939.htmlUnited States Department of State. (13 June 2011). San Marino. Retrieved from: state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/5387.htmWikipedia.org. (18 August 2011). San Marino - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_marino