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The Flag of San Marino |
Fun Facts About San Marino
San Marino is a tiny state bordered by the Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna to the north and east and Marche to the south and west.
- A person from San Marino is called Sammarinese. Sammarinese is used for both singular and plural tense.
- The landscape is for the most part green with rolling hills, dominated by the three peaks of Mount Titano.
- Within San Marino lie the capital of the same name and eight villages.
- The third smallest state in Europe (after the Vatican and Monaco).
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San Marino claims to be the world’s oldest republic.
- According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. who escaped from the Roman Empire to seek freedom from religious persecution. Marinus settled at the base of Mount Titano.
- San Marino’s foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy, as are social and political trends.
- San Marino has 9 municipalities (castelli, singular – castello); Acquaviva, Borgo Maggiore, Chiesanuova, Domagnano, Faetano, Fiorentino, Montegiardino, San Marino Citta, Serravalle.
- The tourist sector contributes over 50% of GDP.
In 2000 more than 3 million tourists visited San Marino.
- The key industries are banking, 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 the most prosperous regions of Italy, which supplies much of its food.
- San Marino became a member of the United Nations in 1992. Although San Marino doesn’t do much for the United Nations, it does pay 0.002% of the U.N.’s annual fees. (That means that for every $50,000 the U.N. needs, San Marino pays $1)
Special thanks to www.travel-island.com and www.funtrivia.com