Wikijunior Europe: San Marino

San Marino is a tiny country in central Europe. It is completely surrounded by Italy. The capital city is the City of San Marino. San Marino is one of the smallest countries in the world. It is not part of the European Union but it uses the Euro as its currency.

San Marino's History

Traditionally, San Marino was founded by Saint Marinus in 301 CE. Marinus was a Christian stonemason who fled to the hills that make up San Marino to avoid persecution under the Roman Empire. Before the 19th century most of present-day Italy consisted of small city states like San Marino. When all of the other small states in Italy united in the 19th Century San Marino refused to join and has never been part of Italy. San Marino remained neutral during World War I and World War II.

After World War II San Marino became the first country to be democratically ruled by a communist party.

San Marino's Geography

San Marino is the third-smallest country in Europe, with only Vatican City and Monaco smaller. The total area that San Marino covers is 61 km² (23.5 sq mi). The climate is Mediterranean, with warm summers and mild winters. The country is completely surrounded by Italy - one of only 3 such countries in the world (the others are Vatican City, also surrounded by Italy, and Lesotho, surrounded by South Africa).

San Marino's People

The Country has a population of approximately 31,000, including 1,000 foreigners, most of whom are Italians. About 5,000 Sammarinese live in foreign countries, predominantly in Italy. The language spoken is Italian. Emiliano-Romagnolo is widely spoken also. Roman Catholicism is the predominant religion.

San Marino's Sights

Over 2 million tourists visit San Marino every year. Popular attractions include the Three Towers of San Marino, The Cathedral of San Marino and the state museum. Buying stamps and coins with the name San Marino on them is a popular souvenir for many tourists.