San Marino
San Marino (pronounced in standard AFI Italian /sam ma'riːno/), officially called the Republic of San Marino (Italian, Repubblica di San Marino; in Emilian-Romagnol, Ripóbblica d' San Marein), also known as the Serenissima Republic of San Marino (Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino), is a parliamentary republic and the oldest sovereign state in the world [citation needed]. It is an enclave surrounded by Italian territory, between the regions of Emilia-Romagna and the Marches. Most of its territory corresponds to the slopes of Mount Titano, 739 meters high, and it is located 10 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea, so, given its location, the country has no outlet to that sea.
San Marino is one of only three enclave sovereign states in the world (States whose territory is completely surrounded by a single country), along with Vatican City, also an enclave of Italy, and Lesotho, an enclave state of South Africa. It is also one of the six European micro-states.
Etymology
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The country owes its name to Marino deacon, a saint of the Catholic Church. According to tradition, Marino left the island of Arbe (Rab), in present-day Croatia, to live in the city of Rimini as a stonemason. After finding himself a victim of Diocletian's persecution for his Christian sermons, he escaped to the vicinity of Monte Titano, where he built a small church and thus founded the current capital of the State of San Marino. The official date of the founding of the city is September 3, 301.
History
Prehistory and Antiquity
The site is shown to have been inhabited since prehistoric times, although the Republic's documented existence begins in the 10th century. In memory of the stonecutter Marino, the area was called Land of San Marino, and later the name "Republic".
According to tradition, it was founded in 301 when a Christian stonemason named Marinus the Dalmatian or Saint Marinus left the island of Arbe to escape the anti-Christian policies of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. Marinus hid on top of Mount Titano, the highest of the seven that San Marino owns, and founded a small Christian community. The owner of the land, a compassionate woman from Rimini, bequeathed the territory to them.
In Lombard times, San Marino was owned by the Duchy of Spoleto.
Middle Ages
At the beginning of the Middle Ages a monastic community was formed, which eventually prospered and became a commune, with its own republican ordinances that, even today, remain in force for the most part and almost unchanged.[citation required]
The commune managed to preserve, for centuries, its own independence (thanks to the almost inaccessible situation of the town), despite the continuous aggressions of the neighboring powers. The land disputed by the Rimini and Montefeltro families, and subject to the fights between Guelphs and Ghibellines, managed to maintain its independence and increase its territory.
The government was made up of an assembly called Arengo, which was made up of all the heads of the family. In 1243, the figure of the regent captains (Capitani Reggenti) was established to act as heads of state. The first laws date from 1263. The Holy See, at that time in the hands of Pope Nicholas IV, recognized the independence of San Marino in 1291. San Marino abandoned the feudal system in the XIII to become a republic. The territory consisted solely of Mount Titano until 1463, when it entered into an alliance against Sigismundo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, who would be defeated. Because of this, Pope Pius II ceded the cities of Fiorentino, Montegiardino and Serravalle to San Marino. That same year the city of Faetano joined the Republic of its own free will. Since then, the surface of the Republic has remained unchanged.
Modernity
San Marino drafted its current set of constitutional rules on October 8, 1600.
In 1631, the papacy finally recognized their independence.
The small state was recognized by Napoleonic France in 1797, and by other European states in 1815 during the Congress of Vienna.
During the Risorgimento it participated in the Wars of Independence and welcomed many politically persecuted (among them Giuseppe Garibaldi).
During the events leading up to the unification of Italy, San Marino fortunately played a pivotal role for Giuseppe Garibaldi, who found refuge on Mount Titano when he was surrounded by four armies at Macerata Feltria in 1849 while trying to reach Venice
Garibaldi asked the Great and General Council to pass through San Marino. At first, the request was rejected; it was later reiterated, but Garibaldi, without waiting for an answer, crossed the borders with his remaining 1,500 men and personally requested asylum. One of the Captains Regent, Domenico Maria Belzoppi I - liberal and Carbonaro, imprisoned after the Rimini riots of 1845 - granted it to him in exchange for a guarantee of independence and defense of the small State from armed confrontations.
From then on, San Marino continued to support refugees and support uprisings, albeit in a climate of suspicion on the part of the Papal States and Austria. The two countries planned an armed occupation to challenge the freedom of the Republic. Thanks to the intervention of Napoleon III's France, this attempt was unsuccessful. In fact, in 1853, the Secretary General of the Republic, Gian Battista Bonelli, was assassinated by a democratic group.
With the unification of Italy, the dangers of invasion by foreign states ceased. A "Friendship Treaty" Signed on March 22, 1862 and revised in 1939 and 1971, it guaranteed the independence of the Republic, good neighborliness and fostered commercial relations. The revisions establish a customs union and an annual contribution guaranteed by Italy.
Starting in the second half of the 19th century, certain cultural elites advocated a reform project to modernize a strongly conservative and culturally and economically backward agricultural society.
Some signs of socioeconomic transformation can be seen in the creation of the property registry in 1858, the opening of a new hospital in 1865, the rationalization of the postal system and the start-up of the telegraph service in 1880, the promulgation of a new penal code that excluded the death penalty in 1865. Again, in 1880, the educational sector was reinforced with the hiring of numerous teachers, the Mutual Aid Society was founded in 1876 to help the scarce working class, which promoted the creation of the Cassa di Risparmio (Savings Bank) in 1882.
Due to the unification of the Italian peninsula, the independence of San Marino had to be sealed by a treaty in 1862 with the emerging Kingdom of Italy, which was revised and confirmed in 1939 and 1971.
Although a sovereign country, it is largely dependent on Italy, whose borders have completely surrounded Italy since its unification in the 19th century XIX.
Since the 20th century
A peaceful revolution restored in 1906 the elective system of the General Council (supreme body of the State), which had become a closed clan. During the First and Second World Wars it followed the fate of its Cisalpine neighbor. Being occupied in 1943 by order of Hitler, it was recovered by the allies but in a counteroffensive by the Germans it was reoccupied. She was finally released in 1945.
The «Serene Republic» has been militarily occupied three times in its entire history, although for a brief time:
In 1503, César Borgia occupied the republic until shortly before his death a few months later.
In 1739, Cardinal Alberoni invaded the small state again, but civil disobedience and protests to Pope Clement XII for justice were successful.
The last occupation of the country occurred in 1944. San Marino was neutral in World War II; however, the Wehrmacht (German Army) occupied it during its retreat and was followed by the allies. In that period the so-called battle of San Marino was fought. The allies only stayed there a few weeks. After the fall of fascism, the country was governed by a representative government of all the democratic forces. From the general elections of 1945 to 1957, the Republic was governed by a left-wing coalition between the San Marino Communist Party (PCS) and the San Marino Socialist Party (PSS). The political elections of 1955 confirmed the parliamentary majority to the coalition of the PCS and the PSS. The Italian government barely tolerated the left-wing government at the height of the Cold War and in 1950 it blocked the borders, making trade difficult and causing some local factories to close.
Through the social-communist government, a Social Security System was established in 1950 that included healthcare for all citizens and social security; in 1955 the Social Security Institute was founded.
On October 14, 1957, following the events in Rovereta, a coalition government was formed between the San Marino Christian Democratic Party (PDCS) and the San Marino Independent Democratic Socialist Party (PSDIS). The subsequent general elections of 1959 confirmed the PDCS and PSDIS in the majority of parliamentary seats. This led to a normalization of international relations: war damages were paid, the United States donated the aqueduct, and an agreement was reached with Italy for the construction of the superhighway. The 1960s and 1970s saw the recognition of certain civil rights, including the vote for women in 1960. Most survived until 1973, when a new alliance was formed between the PDCS and the SDP that lasted until 1978. Political elections in 1978 saw the return to power of a coalition made up of the San Marino Communist Party, the San Marino Socialist Party and the United Socialist Party. It was confirmed in the following general elections of 1983, but disintegrated in 1986.
At the end of the 80s and 90s, there were important recognitions from the international community. Although largely dependent on Italy, to which it is bound by numerous treaties, San Marino firmly asserts its sovereignty and independence, maintaining diplomatic and consular relations with numerous European and American countries. Since 1988, San Marino has been a member of the Council of Europe, which it chaired for the first time in the first half of 1990. In 1992 it became a member of the UN. In February 2002, an agreement was signed with the OECD on taxation, aimed at achieving greater transparency in tax and banking matters, in order to combat tax evasion.
After the 1998 general elections, the government of Christian Democrats and Socialists was confirmed, but continued political instability led to early elections. However, the 2001 general elections confirmed the majority of the PDCS/PSS, a formation that was expanded to include the Democratic Party in 2003. In the 2006 general elections, a center-left coalition was affirmed, led by the Party of the Socialists and Democrats, born from the merger of the SDP and the PDD.
This country, in order to reduce its dependence on the Italian Republic, has been forming a series of agreements with Switzerland in the political, economic and social fields. This alliance has paved the way for a new type of diplomatic relations, pioneering in the XXI century, but vaguely reminiscent of to international relations in medieval times.
Government and politics
San Marino is a micro-state; Its legislative body is the Great and General Council (Consiglio Grande e Generale), which is elected by popular vote every five years. This parliament chooses two of its members as captains regent for a period of six months. The two captains regent and the Council of Ministers form the executive branch of the Government.
The Great and General Council also elects the Consiglio dei XII ("Council of Twelve"), which forms the judiciary during the legislature.
San Marino was initially governed by the Arengo, initially made up of the heads of families. In the 13th century the institution relinquished its powers in favor of the Great General Council. In 1243 the first two regent captains were appointed by that Council and this form of appointment continues in use today.
San Marino, the world's fifth smallest state, is also the world's oldest republic.
Legislative Branch
The Great and General Council
The Council is made up of 60 members elected every 5 years through a system of proportional representation in the nine castelli. These administrative divisions correspond to the old parishes of the Republic, and each one is governed by a Council headed by a captain elected every 5 years. The Great General Council approves the budget as well as elects the regent captains, as heads of the Executive.
Parliament and chamber
The legislative body is made up of the Grand General Council, Parliament, and a Chamber. Members of Parliament are elected every five years and are responsible for legislation, justice, and solving jurisdictional issues. They are also in charge of the election of the regent captains, the State Congress, the Council of Twelve, the Advisory Commission. Parliament is also in charge of ratifying treaties with other countries. The Parliament is divided into five Advisory Commissions made up of 15 members who study, propose and debate the incorporation of new laws to be discussed in the Great General Council.
Executive bodies
The Regent Captains
Every 6 months, the Council elects two regent captains to perform the task of heads of state. The regents are chosen from among different parties, with which the Headquarters is balanced. The investiture takes place on April 1 and October 1 of each year. When the term ends, citizens have three days to file complaints about the acts performed by the regents. If they are admitted for processing, legal proceedings are opened against the former head of state.
The practice of dual rule, as well as the frequency of re-election, derive directly from the customs of the Roman Republic. The Council is equivalent to the Roman Senate and the regent captains are the modern version of the consuls of ancient Rome.
The State Congress
The State Congress is made up of ten Secretaries that exercise executive power. It is actually a cabinet of ministers. The ten secretariats are:
- Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs.
- State Secretariat for Internal Affairs and Civil Defence.
- State Secretariat for Finance, Budget and Programming, Information and Relations with the Office of Numismatics and Philatelia.
- State Secretariat for Education, Culture, University and Justice.
- State Secretariat for Agriculture, Environment and Territory.
- State Secretariat for Social Security and Health.
- Secretary of State for Trade and Relations with the Citizen Council.
- Secretary of State for Communications, Transport, Relations with the Autonomous State Treasury, Tourism and Sports Service.
- State Secretariat for Industry and Crafts.
- Secretary of State for Labour and Cooperation.
Judicial bodies
The Council of Twelve
The Council of Twelve (Consiglio dei XII) is elected by the Grand General Council for the entire legislature, serving as a judicial body and also acts as a third instance in the Court of Appeals. Two government inspectors represent the State in financial and patrimonial matters.
Judicial organization
San Marino's judicial system is entrusted to outsiders for both historical and social reasons. The only native judges are the Justices of the Peace, who can only handle civil cases that do not exceed 25 million lire (currently 13,000 euros). The Council of Twelve serves as the court of appeal in third instance.
Political parties
San Marino is a multi-party democratic republic. The three main political parties are the San Marino Christian Democratic Party (PDCS), the Party of Socialists and Democrats (PSD), and the San Marino People's Alliance (APSM) along with several smaller ones such as the United Left coalition of San Marino (IUSM) or the New Socialist Party of San Marino (NPSSM). Due to the small population and territory of the country, it is difficult for any party to achieve an absolute majority and most of the time a coalition is formed. As a result of the 2016 elections, the Adesso.sm coalition holds a majority of the seats on the Council.
Because tourism accounts for more than 50% of the economy, the government has abolished taxes and customs duties, except for the sale of coins and stamps. In addition, the Italian government gives San Marino an annual budget after the Basic Treaty signed by both parties.
After 2000, there was a period of instability, with frequent coalition changes that always included the PDCS.
With the 2006 general elections, the government was formed by a centre-left coalition consisting of the Socialist and Democratic Party (PSD), the United Left and the San Marino Popular Alliance of Democrats. The new state parliament took office on July 27, 2006.
The main political issues are related to economic and administrative relations with Italy, integration into the European Union, citizenship regulations and institutional reforms for the full application of the rule of law.
The 2008 parliamentary elections, called as a result of the government crisis, were held under a reformed electoral law that provided for political competition between two sides. Against the center-left coalition called Riforme e libertà, made up of the Party of Socialists and Democrats, the Center Democrats and the United Left, the Patto per San Marino prevailed, a coalition made up of center-right parties but also center-left (AP and the New Socialist Party): Christian Democratic Party of San Marino, Popular Alliance of Democrats of San Marino, Lista della Libertà (formed by the New Socialist Party and Noi Sammarinesi), Union of Moderates of San Marino, make up the government that took office on December 3, 2008. For the first time in the political history of San Marino, a woman took over as Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs.
In the subsequent political elections of 2012, the coalition formed by the Christian Democratic Party of San Marino, Noi Sammarinesi, the Party of Socialists and Democrats and the Popular Alliance won.
Not having reached 50% + 1 of the valid votes during the first round, a second ballot was introduced for the first time in the 2016 general elections, in which the Adesso.sm coalition formed by Sinistra Socialista Democratica won., Civico 10 and Repubblica Futura.
Current Affairs
The main issue facing the current government are the economic and administrative problems derived from the status as an enclave of the country; Being surrounded by Italy leads to total financial and commercial dependence on the neighboring country, to which must be added that San Marino does not belong to the European Union. The other priority is to increase the transparency and effectiveness of Parliament and its relations with the Cabinet and the Captains Regent.
Foreign Relations
The states that maintain resident embassies or honorary consulates in San Marino are: Austria, Bulgaria, France, Japan, Mexico, Monaco, Romania, Italy, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Croatia, and the Holy See. While other states maintain non-resident embassies and consulates, commonly located in Rome (in neighboring Italy). San Marino also maintains honorary consulates in some countries, such as Armenia.
From March 31 to April 1, 2013, then-UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was the official speaker at the newly elected Meeting of Captains Regents. "Although this country is small, its importance to the United Nations is as high as Mount Titan," the secretary-general told the country's top officials, the two Captains Regent, referring to the World Heritage site of UNESCO of 739 meters. Ban also noted that the country hosted five times as many refugees as its population during World War II and praised its emphasis on protecting human rights. This was the second visit to San Marino by a UN Secretary-General, being the first that of Boutros Boutros-Ghali in 1996.
According to 2021 data, San Marino maintains diplomatic relations with 145 members of the United Nations, the Holy See, the territory of Kosovo, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and also maintains consular relations with Haiti and Iran.
Among other international organizations, San Marino is a full member of the United Nations, the International Court of Justice, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the Council of Europe, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the International Institution for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT).
It also cooperates with UNICEF and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and maintains official relations with the European Union.
From May 10 to November 6, 1990, San Marino held the semiannual presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. San Marino's second presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe was from November 2006 to May 2007.
Defense
The San Marino Armed Forces (Italian: Forze Armate Sammarinesi) are the national defense military forces of the Republic of San Marino. It is one of the smallest military forces in the world, and its different branches have varied functions, including: performing ceremonial tasks; patrol the borders; stand guard at government buildings; and assisting the police in important criminal cases.
There is also a military Gendarmerie that is part of the military forces of the republic. The entire military corps in San Marino relies on the cooperation of the full-time forces and their retained (volunteer) colleagues, known as the Corpi Militari Volontari, or Volunteer Military Force. National defense against an aggressive world power is, by agreement, the responsibility of the Italian armed forces.
The components of the army (apart from the purely historical Crossbow Corps) are distinguished (as in many nations) by distinctive cap insignia, one each for the Fortress Guard (uniformed), the Fortress Guard (artillery), the Council Guard, the Uniformed Militia, the Military Ensemble (band) and the Gendarmerie. There is no compulsory service, but in special circumstances citizens between the ages of 16 and 55 may be recruited for the defense of the State.
Police
The Civil Police (Italian: Corpo di Polizia Civile), founded on January 1, 1945, is one of the law enforcement organizations in San Marino, which polices one one of the smallest countries, but perhaps one of the safest in the world. In 2011, only one prisoner was incarcerated, making San Marino the country with the least incarcerated in the world.
The Secretary of State for the Interior controls the Civil Police, which is responsible for tax collection, national security, traffic control and civil defense. According to a report by the Government of San Marino, there are currently around 50 police officers and civilian employees serving in the Civil Police. The Civil Police is required by law to cooperate with two military units, the Gendarmerie and the Guardia de Fortaleza, which are responsible (as of the new regulations approved in 2008) for police surveillance, criminal investigation, the national penitentiary, the changing of the guard, border patrol, customs control, personal protection and national security.
Human Rights
In terms of human rights, regarding membership of the seven bodies of the International Bill of Human Rights, which include the Human Rights Committee (HRC), San Marino has signed or ratified:
 San Marino | International treaties | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CESCR | CCPR | CERD | CED | CEDAW | CAT | CRC | MWC | CRPD | |||||||||
| CESCR | CESCR-OP | CCPR | CCPR-OP1 | CCPR-OP2-DP | CEDAW | CEDAW-OP | CAT | CAT-OP | CRC | CRC-OP-AC | CRC-OP-SC | CRPD | CRPD-OP | ||||
| Pertenence |  |  | | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | |
 Signed and ratified,  signed, but not ratified,  neither signed nor ratified,  without information,  it has agreed to sign and ratify the body concerned, but also recognizes the competence to receive and process individual communications from the competent bodies. | |||||||||||||||||
Status of major international human rights instruments
Territorial organization
San Marino is divided into nine municipalities or castelli (castles) that are also considered cities:
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Geography
San Marino is an enclave of Italy, on the border between the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche. Its topography is dominated by the Apennines. The highest point in the country is Mount Titano, at 739 meters. There are no major rivers.
According to WWF, the territory of San Marino belongs to the ecoregion called sclerophyllous and semi-deciduous forest of Italy.
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San Marino is the third smallest state in Europe, after Vatican City and Monaco.
Climate
The climate is humid subtropical, with hot summers and cold winters.
 Average San Marino climate parameters | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Ene. | Feb. | Mar. | Open up. | May. | Jun. | Jul. | Ago. | Sep. | Oct. | Nov. | Dec. | Annual |
| Average temperature (°C) | 7 | 9 | 14 | 17 | 23 | 28 | 30 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 13 | 8 | 18.7 |
| Average temperature (°C) | 4 | 6 | 10 | 13 | 19 | 23 | 25 | 25 | 20 | 16 | 10 | 5 | 14.7 |
| Temp. medium (°C) | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 10.8 |
| Total precipitation (mm) | 34.0 | 37.6 | 34.2 | 51.5 | 41.6 | 36.0 | 34.5 | 49.2 | 85.6 | 69.8 | 59.2 | 75.4 | 608.6 |
| Source: World Weather Online | |||||||||||||
Protected areas
In the Republic of San Marino there are some semi-natural areas characterized by Mediterranean flora and typical Apennine fauna. Due to the high anthropization of the territory, there are no completely intact ecosystems, but there are natural parks and protected forest areas, and hunting and fishing reserves.
The scrub forests on the slopes of Mount Titano, along with their rocky habitats, are de facto nature reserves.
San Marino law provides for different types of protected areas:
- protected natural spaces (aree naturalistiche tutelate)
- park areas (aree a parco)
- natural reserves (riserve naturali)
- integral natural reserves (riserve naturali integrali)
- agricultural areas (a)aree agricole)
- areas of calanque (aree calanchive)
- landscaping emergencies (emergenze paesistiche)
- urban green areas (aree a green urban)
Natural parks
- Natural Park of Mount Titano
- Montecchio Natural Park
- Monte Cerreto Park
Other protected areas
- Ausa Park in Dogana
- Laiala Park in Serravalle
- Arboreto de Ca' Vagnetto
- Domagnano Pinewood
- Natural protected area of Maiano
Flora and fauna
The steep slopes of Monte Titano and the hilly landscape surrounding the mountain massif are relatively densely forested and feature typical Mediterranean vegetation. It includes deciduous forests with maples and elms, as well as evergreen forests with oaks and pines; in the evergreen scrub forest grow macchia, laurel, myrtle and lavender bushes, as well as strawberry trees and olive trees.
The country's fauna includes mainly species that are considered cultural successors to humans and, as such, are also found in the vicinity of human settlements. Among them are foxes, hares, hedgehogs and martens. Other species, such as roe deer and weasels, prefer dense forest areas as their habitat. The birdlife is rich in species. Falcons breed in niches in rocks or tall trees, and songbirds include nightingales, orioles, goldfinches, minnows, and linnets.
Economy
Although the republic is not an official member of the eurozone, it has been allowed to use the euro as its national currency under agreements with the Council of the European Union, so it can stamp its own national design on the corresponding face. Before the euro, the currency was the San Marino lira, which was interchangeable with the Italian lira. Both the country's lira and the euro, being produced in small numbers, are highly valued in the collectors' market.
Tourism represents more than 50% of the GDP, with more than three million visitors in 1997. Banking, electronics and ceramics are also important. Agricultural products are wine and cheese.
Post stamps, only valid for the republic, are mainly sold for philately and represent an important chapter of income.
Since 1997 the standard of living has been increasing above the Italian level due to incipient economic growth in the country's financial sector.
Taxes
The corporate tax rate in San Marino is 17%, capital gains are subject to 5% tax and active interest is subject to 11% withholding. Several benefits apply to new companies, which can significantly reduce the amount of taxes to be paid.
The personal income tax (IGR, in Italian: Imposta Generale sui Redditi) was introduced in 1984 and profoundly reformed in 2013 with the aim of increasing tax revenue. The nominal tax rate ranges from 9% for annual income of less than 10,000 euros to 35% for income of more than 80,000 euros.
In 1972, a value-added tax (VAT) system was introduced in Italy, and an equivalent tax was also introduced in San Marino, in accordance with the 1939 friendship treaty. However, this tax was not It is not a standard value-added tax, but rather an import tax, so it applies only to imported goods and raw materials. For this reason, it is known locally as a single-stage tax (Italian: imposta monofase), since it is only applied once during import, whereas VAT is applied on each exchange.. In addition, while the VAT also applies to services, the import tax only applies to physical goods. Another important difference is that while the VAT is computed on the final price paid by the consumer, the import tax is applied on the import cost paid by the company, which is usually much lower.
Under the European Union customs agreement, San Marino's import tax is considered equivalent to the European VAT system. A separate tax on services was introduced in 2011, with a rate of 3%. The introduction of a real VAT system, no different from the European one, is being developed.
As San Marino's tax rate is lower than that of neighboring Italy, many companies choose to establish themselves in San Marino to avoid the higher rates. San Marino has a corporate tax rate 6% lower than Italy's (23%) and 4% lower than the EU average (21.3%). This has made San Marino the tax haven of choice for many wealthy Italians and companies.
Agreements with Italy
San Marino and Italy have had special agreements since 1862, which dictate some economic activities in the territory of San Marino. In San Marino, the cultivation of tobacco and the production of goods subject to the Italian government monopoly are prohibited. Direct import is prohibited; all goods from third parties have to pass through Italy before reaching the country. Although allowed to print its own postage stamps, San Marino cannot mint its own currency and is required to use the Italian mint; the agreement does not affect the right of the Republic of San Marino to continue to issue gold coins denominated in Scudi (the legal value of 1 gold Scudo is €37.50). Gambling is legal and regulated; however, casinos were prohibited prior to 2007. There is one legally operating casino.
In exchange for these limitations, Italy provides San Marino with an annual stipend, provided at cost, of sea salt (not more than 250 tons per year), tobacco (40 tons), cigarettes (20 tons), and matches (unlimited quantity).
At the border there are no formalities with Italy. However, at the tourist office visitors can purchase officially canceled souvenir stamps for their passports.
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Tourism
Tourism is an integral element of the microstate's economy. The tourism sector contributes heavily to San Marino's GDP, with approximately 2 million tourists visiting each year.
Tourism is one of the most important sectors of the republic due to its significant economic contribution. The tourist rate has increased in recent years, as visitors are drawn to the landscape, cuisine, and architectural sights of the mountainous microstate. San Marino attracts approximately two million tourists a year, of which 1,822,000 came from Europe in 2018. Compared to other European microstates (Andorra, Malta, Monaco and Vatican City), as of 2018 San Marino is the one that attracts fewer tourists.
Geographically, San Marino is an independent microstate surrounded by the Italian Republic. The enclave state is located in central Italy, at the northeastern end of the Apennines, and is landlocked. However, it is very close to the Adriatic coast, which is accessed through the Emilia-Romagna region. In the summer season, many tourists flock to San Marino for its proximity to the beaches of the Adriatic coast. In addition, people visit the republic to experience the culture and gastronomy, as well as to visit the many historical monuments, churches and castles.
Most of the tourists who visit San Marino are Italian, and they are usually people who come to spend their holidays on the Romagna Riviera and decide to spend half a day or, at most, one night in the country. Although the number of non-Italian foreigners visiting the country is low, they remain vital to the San Marino economy. There are no border formalities with Italy. However, at the tourist office visitors can buy souvenir stamps that are officially canceled inside their passports.
The city of San Marino itself contains most of the attractions. The city is perched on a hill with regular parking areas for cars and buses. The historic center of the city is just a pedestrian area that has mostly gift shops and food outlets on both sides.
In recent years, tourism in the San Marino region has increased by 5.6%, with an increase from 1,888,000 tourists in 2015 to 2,000,000 in 2016. The main visitors to the microstate come from the nation that hosts it. surrounds; Italy. In 2018, tourism from Italy occupied the largest part of the tourism market with 66.84%, which represents a decrease of 3.16% compared to 2017.
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In 2015, 37% of tourists who visited the region did so for leisure and vacation, while 38% did so for personal reasons. The remaining 25% of visitors traveled for business purposes. Although data from 2014 to 2018 convey that all visitors to the republic arrived by land (via roads/driving), this is because San Marino is inaccessible to any other mode of transportation. Between 2017 and 2018, the average of overnight stays in a commercial hotel or equivalent increased from 1.69 to 1.81 nights.
The economic impact of tourism in San Marino is visible through the significant increase in infrastructure that can be used by commercial tourism. From 2015 to 2018, the number of hotels and equivalent accommodation increased from 35 to 43 establishments. In 2014, the available capacity of beds per 1,000 inhabitants reached a maximum of 47.1.
Employment in the commercial tourism industry has held steady at 3,500 people employed from 2014 to 2018. Within the industry, there are 700 employees in hotel accommodation services, while travel agencies and services reserves employ approximately 100 people. Most work in various tourism sectors, with a figure of 2,500.
The government of San Marino intends to further promote tourism in the microstate through the Economic Development Agency of the Chamber of Commerce of the Republic of San Marino. The main objectives of the agency are to support the Tourist Office and the Ministry of Tourism to attract tourists and manage incoming tourist flows, and also to follow up with diplomatic networks and consular connections, in order to develop a profile for the status of San Marino as a unique destination renowned for hospitality, history and scenery.
The San Marino Ministry of Tourism is reforming its tourism strategy to increase the rate of foreign visitors to the microstate. This reformed strategy is being carried out through the development of the Internationalization Division within the San Marino Chamber of Commerce. This division aims to attract visitors to the region based on three categories: visiting San Marino, studying in San Marino and invest in San Marino. The diversification of the San Marino Ministry of Tourism is the result of its new marketing of a "hospitality culture "without barriers" that offers tailored services according to the needs"
The San Marino Ministry of Tourism has further expanded its capacity for tourists through the development of the Republic of San Marino Convention and Visitors Bureau. The creation of the office as a directory of services available in the region it has been produced to further promote tourism in San Marino, encouraging the conduct of business in its territory.
The current catchphrase for tourism in San Marino is: "Imagining it is not enough. Come and experience it" The new campaign is run to increase tourism revenue as San Marino is currently the least visited microstate in Europe.
Demographics
There are no significant differences between the demographics of San Marino and Italy.
The state has a population of approximately 33,000, including 4,800 foreigners, mostly Italians. Around 12,000 San Marinese live in other countries, predominantly in Italy (5,700), the United States (3,000), France (1,900) and Argentina (1,600).
The official language is Italian, with the use of the Gallo-Italic variety known as Emiliano-Romagnol.
Religion
San Marino has no official religion, although it is a predominantly Christian state, Catholicism being the most important denomination, more than 97% of the population professes the Catholic faith. There is no episcopal see in San Marino, although its name is part of the current diocesan title. Historically, the various parishes of San Marino were divided between two Italian dioceses, mostly in the Diocese of Montefeltro, and partly in the Diocese of Rimini. In 1977, the border between Montefeltro and Rimini was readjusted so that all of San Marino fell within the diocese of Montefeltro. The Bishop of Montefeltro-San Marino resides in Pennabilli, in the Italian province of Pesaro and Urbino. There is a provision in the income tax rules that taxpayers have the right to request the allocation of 0.3% of their income tax to the Catholic Church or to charities. The churches include two non-Catholic religious groups the Waldensian Church and Jehovah's Witnesses.
The Diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro was until 1977 the historic diocese of Montefeltro. She is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Ravenna-Cervia. The diocese includes all the parishes of San Marino. The first mention of Montefeltro, as Mona Feretri, is in the diplomas with which Charlemagne confirmed Pepin's donation. The first known bishop of Montefeltro was Agatho (826), whose residence was at San Leo. Under Bishop Flaminios Dondi (1724) the see was transferred back to San Leo, but later returned to Pennabilli. The historic diocese was a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Urbino. Since 1988, an apostolic nunciature of the republic has formally existed, but it is vested in the nuncio of Italy.
There has been a Jewish presence in San Marino for at least 600 years. The first mention of Jews in San Marino dates from the turn of the century XIV, in official documents that record the commercial transactions of the Jews. There are many documents throughout the 15th to 17th centuries that describe the business of the Jews and verify the presence of a Jewish community in San Marino. Jews were allowed official government protection.
During World War II, San Marino provided a haven for more than 100,000 Italians and Jews (approximately 10 times the Sammarine population at the time) from Nazi persecution. By 2012, few Jews remain in the country. In 2019 the "Chapel of the Three Religions" was inaugurated, the first building of its kind dedicated to interreligious dialogue.
Education
The Università degli Studi della Repubblica di San Marino (University of the Republic of San Marino) is the leading higher education institution, which includes the Scuola Superiore di Studi Storici di San Marino (Higher School of Historical Studies), a distinguished center for research and advanced international studies governed by an international Scientific Committee coordinated by the emeritus historian Luciano Canfora. Other important institutes are the Istituto Musicale Sammarinese (Sammarino Musical Institute) and the Akademio Internacia de la Sciencoj San Marino or Accademia Internazionale delle Scienze San Marino (International Academy of Sciences of San Marino) The latter is known for adopting Esperanto as language for teaching and scientific publications; In addition, it makes extensive use of electronic educational technology (also called online education or e-learning).
The Italian writer Umberto Eco has also tried to create in San Marino a "university without physical structures"
Culture
The culture of San Marino has strong influences and similarities to Italian culture, especially the customs and culture of the surrounding Italian regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche.
The Three Towers of San Marino are located on the three peaks of Mount Titano in the capital. They are represented on the San Marino flag and coat of arms. The three towers are called Guaita, which is the oldest of the three (built in the 11th century), Cesta, located on the highest peak of Monte Titano dates back to the 13th century, and Montale, perched on the smallest of Monte Titano's peaks, still privately owned, was built during the 17th century XIV.
Music
The country boasts a musical heritage that includes the 17th-century composer Francesco Maria Marini di Pesaro and the 20th-century composer Cesare Franchini Tassini (1925-2010).
Since 1894, a wordless composition by Federico Consolo has been the national anthem of San Marino. The piece is based on a choral composition from the X century. The earlier hymn was from Aur. Muccioli and U. Balsimelli, and is similar to the Italian national anthem.
San Marino's modern military forces parade through the streets in full uniform several times a day, accompanied by the sounds of a military marching band.
There is a small metal scene with Necrofilia and Nothing Inside Eyes, the latter formed from another band called Alchimia 2012..
Pop singer Little Tony achieved success in the UK and Italy in the late 1950s and early 1960s, peaking at number 19 on the UK Singles Chart in 1960, and participating in the Festival of Music of Sanremo ten times between 1961 and 2008.
San Marino has participated nine times in the Eurovision Song Contest: it debuted in 2008 but, after the result, it withdrew until its return in 2011 to the contest with the artist Senhit and is currently still participating. In 2014, the country made it to the final for the first time, with the song Maybe by singer Valentina Monetta, which came in 24th place with 14 points, its second best result in its history at the festival..
Valentina Monetta has been the representative from San Marino who has represented the country the most times, on four occasions (2012, 2013, 2014 and 2017), and consequently, holds three notable records:
- Be the fourth representative in history who has participated three years in a row, after Lys Assia (1956-1958), Corry Brokken (1956-1958) and Udo Jürgens (1964-1966).
- In 2017 she managed to be the representative who has most often participated in the Eurovision Song Festival in her history, with four participations in just six years.
- He finally managed to classify San Marino for the grand final for the first time since he is present at the European event. Staying in the last place (24th place) in 2014, with the song Maybe (Forse) in the first semi-final of the Eurovision Festival 2014.
In 2013, she debuted at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest with the young singer Michele Perniola.
In 2019, San Marino placed 19th in the grand final with the song "Say Na Na Na" performed by Serhat, thus achieving her best result at the festival so far.
Monuments
- Piazza della Libertà - It is the heart of the people, one of its sides opens on a magnificent panorama, which embraces the western part of the Republic and the Montefeltro; on the other side are the Palacio delle Poste (reconstruction of the centuryXIX), the Vecchia Arcipretura and the Public Palace, built with medieval forms at the end of the last century (centuryXIX), and solemnly inaugurated with a speech by Giosuè Carducci; in the center of the square stands the Statue of Liberty (1896).
- San Francisco - The church was built in the centuryXIV and partially transformed into the baroque period (the portico that precedes its simple facade is 1631); inside it is preserved a wooden Crucifix of the centuryXIV. The adjacent Pinacoteca, is very interesting is installed in the logia of the left flank of the church and exposes a beautiful Wizard worship of the centuryXV; the Baptist of Lanfranco; the stigmas of San Francisco de Guecino and a Virgin with the Child attributed to Rafael.
- The Fortresses - The first of the three guard towers of San Marino is the Guaita (or Rocca), built in the centuryXI and restructured below; they surround it with almond walls. The second is the Cartthe highest of them, built in the centuryXIII (and also modified later); hosts Museum of Ancient Arms. The last is the Montale, which stands in isolation (end of the century)XIII); it still retains an old dungeon.
Gastronomy
San Marino's cuisine is very similar to Italian cuisine, especially that of its neighbors in the Emilia-Romagna and Marche regions, but it has a number of its own dishes and unique products. The specialty here is pasta: lasagna, spaghetti bolognese, calzones. Its best known dish is probably the Torta Tre Monti ("Take of the Three Mountains or Towers"), which is a waffle cake dipped in chocolate, representing the three towers of San Marino. Similarly, ice cream is also a specialty. The country also has a small wine industry.
Events
San Marino attracts tourists at all times of the year. Its inhabitants celebrate numerous ceremonies designed to show the millennial history of San Marino, as well as its religious heritage.
For example, every year on September 3, San Marino celebrates the feast of San Marino (the founder of the Republic) with a mass at the Basilica of San Marino, which is followed by a procession throughout the city in which the relics of San Marino are carried. The procession is followed by the famous "Palio delle Balestre Gradi" ("crossbow competition") and a concert by the San Marino Military Band with a fireworks display.
Once a year, the world's smallest Republic relives its history when it becomes a theatrical performance of the Medieval Days festival. Every July, San Marino draws people inside its ancient walls to experience the centuries-old stories of the microstate in its medieval village.
Another annual celebration in San Marino is the Catholic religious festival of Corpus Domini, which falls on June 11 each year and begins with a mass in the Basilica of San Marino, followed by a procession around Piazza della Liberta accompanied by the military band.
In addition, the San Marino and Rimini Coast Motorcycle Grand Prix is an annual event held every September, the first having taken place in 1980.
Archaeological sites
Maiano in the Municipality or Castle of Borgo Maggiore has been inhabited since Roman times. In August 2012, the State Museums of the Republic of San Marino carried out an archaeological excavation that brought to light structures and drains of a production plant (ovens) from Roman times, the most interesting known so far in the territory of the Republic.
In the area, with a controlled extension of more than 8,000 m², bricks (bricks, tiles, tiles) and ceramics (amphoras, jugs, vases and goblets) were produced dating back to the early and middle imperial times (centuries I-III AD). Therefore, Maiano in Roman times was especially suitable for these productions, since it was rich in clay, water and wood used as fuel. Occasionally some examples of Roman bricks bore a "mark" and the distribution of these brands in the territory today allows scholars to reconstruct the production and marketing areas of these products.
In the territory of the Republic of San Marino, the brands of a family, the Seii, which were also widespread in the city of Rimini and in the Rimini area, are very frequent. The production of bricks in the Apennine areas of the Regio Octava Aemilia (which roughly corresponds to present-day Emilia-Romagna) was the subject of a study session organized in 2008 by the State Museums, in which the situation in the Rimini area and in the territory of the Republic of San Marino.
The work in Maiano revealed the presence of specimens marked by some members of the Seia family (Sesto Seio and Lucio Seio), and the discovery of marked tiles with obvious firing errors in the remains of a kiln supports the idea that Maiano could be one of the production centers of this family. Excavation operations focused on the remains of the lower part of the brick kiln, built with the abundant tiles present in the site.
The archaeological excavation of Maiano was directed by Prof. Gianluca Bottazzi and carried out by the Archaeological Section of the State Museums and the company Tecne s.r.l., with the participation of two volunteers and the support of the Environmental Resources Management Office and Agrícolas and the A.A.S.P., who collaborated in the site preparation operations.
Transportation
There are 220 km of roads in the country, the main one being the San Marino highway. The authorities license private vehicles with distinctive Sammarin license plates, which are white with blue figures and the coat of arms, usually a letter followed by up to four numbers. Many vehicles also carry the international vehicle identification code (in black on a white oval sticker), which is "RSM".
There are no public airports in San Marino, but there is a small private airstrip located in Torraccia and an international heliport located in Borgo Maggiore. Most tourists arriving by air land at Federico Fellini International Airport, near the city of Rimini, and then transfer by bus.
Two rivers flow through San Marino, but there is no major water transportation, and there is no port.
Public transport
San Marino has limited public transportation facilities. There is a regular bus service between Rimini and the city of San Marino which is very popular with tourists and workers traveling to San Marino from Italy. This service stops at around 20 locations in Rimini and within San Marino, with its final two stops at the Rimini railway station and the San Marino bus station.
A limited licensed taxi service operates throughout the country. There are seven licensed taxi companies operating in the republic, and Italian taxis regularly operate within San Marino when carrying passengers picked up on Italian soil.
Cable Car to Monte Titano
There is a 1.5 km aerial tramway that connects the city of San Marino on the top of Monte Titano with Borgo Maggiore, an important city of the republic, with the second largest population of any Sammarinan settlement. From here there is another connection to the nation's largest settlement, Dogana, via the local bus service.
Two aerial tram cars (gondolas) operate, with service at approximately 15-minute intervals throughout the day. A third vehicle is available in the system, a service car for use by the engineers who maintain the tram.
Railway
Today, there is no railway in San Marino, but for a short period before World War II, it had a single narrow-gauge line called the Ferrovia Rimini-San Marino that connected the country to the Italian rail network in Rimini. Due to the difficulties of access to the capital, the city of San Marino, with its location on top of a mountain, the terminal station was planned to be situated in the village of Valdragone, but it was extended to reach the capital via of a steep and winding road that included many tunnels. The railway opened on June 12, 1932. An advanced system for its time, it was an electric railway, powered by overhead wires. It was well built and had a high passenger frequency, but it was almost completely destroyed during World War II. Many facilities such as bridges, tunnels, and stations are still visible today, and some have been converted to parks, public footpaths, or traffic routes.
Telecommunications
The San Marino telephone exchange is fully automated and integrated into the Italian network, both for internal and international connections. The internal network is managed by Telecom Italia in accordance with an agreement with San Marino and guaranteed by Telecom Italia San Marino S.p.A., a San Marino company under public law belonging to the Telecom Italia group.
Intelcom is a monitoring and delivery center for Internet addresses and domains. Manages the ".sm" and is a member of ISOC and ICANN.
Radio and television
San Marino RTV, the public broadcaster, operates a television station and a radio station. San Marino RTV was founded in August 1991 by Eras (Ente per la Radiodiffusione Sammarinese), the San Marino radio communication company, with the collaboration of RAI-Radiotelevisione Italiana in equal parts.
The first radio programs were broadcast from December 27, 1992 and the 24-hour program was introduced on October 25, 1993. On April 24, 1993, the first test television broadcasts began, and a little less a year later, on February 28, 1994, regular television broadcasts began. In July 1995, the television network joined Eurovision. In 2008, the country participated for the first time in the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade (Serbia). On the Internet, RTV programming from San Marino is available live.
The television channel can also be received in Italy, in the area between Venice, Bologna and the Adriatic coast.
There are still two private radio stations on VHF. In 1997 there were about 16,000 radio sets and about 9,000 televisions. Italian radio stations can also be received on the territory of the Republic.
Sports
The Motorcycle Grand Prix of San Marino and Rimini Riviera takes place at the Misano Circuit, Italy. It is sadly famous for the accident of Wayne Rainey, which left him in a wheelchair for life, and also for the death of the Japanese pilot Shoya Tomizawa Moto2.
The Formula 1 San Marino Grand Prix, currently the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, was held at the Imola Circuit. It is sadly known for the accident of Ayrton Senna, who died in 1994 at the San Marino Grand Prix that year, along with Roland Ratzenberger. There are also some famous San Marino motorcycling riders, Alex De Angelis and Manuel Poggiali (125cc and 250cc champion).
Shooting is also very popular in San Marino, with many shooters having participated in international competitions and the Olympic Games. At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, San Marino won its first Olympic medal in its history, being the shooter Alessandra Perilli who achieved this feat after obtaining the bronze medal in the Olympic pit event. Despite its small population, they managed their silver in a team event losing the gold medal match to Spain 41-40.
Football
The most important soccer team in San Marino was San Marino Calcio, which was the only professional club in the country and which participated in Italian competitions, until its disappearance in 2019. The other clubs play in the San Marino soccer league. The national soccer team is considered, according to the FIFA ranking (since it officially participates), as one of the weakest teams in the European or World Cups. The National Team has only won one game, and on October 13, 2020, it achieved its last draw in an official competition.
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Although San Marino only has 30,000 inhabitants, there is a national championship organized by the FSGC (Federazione Sammarinese Giuoco Calcio, founded in 1931) with 15 teams. In the first phase of the championship, the teams compete against each other in two groups of seven and eight teams respectively. The top three teams from each group will participate in a final round. The Sanmarinan champions participate in the first qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League, but no Sanmarinan team has reached the first round.
San Marino's national team has existed since 1986, losing its first match against the Canadian Olympic team 0-1. The selection of San Marino played its first official match as a national team in FIFA on November 14, 1990 against Switzerland in the qualifying phase for the 1992 European Championship; San Marino lost 0-4. A highlight of San Marino's football history was the 1-0 win against England on November 17, 1993. After eight seconds, Davide Gualtieri scored the fastest goal in the history of international matches. However, San Marino also lost this match (1:7). The team's heaviest defeat occurred in a qualifying match for the Eurocup played at the Serravalle Olympic Stadium against Germany on September 6, 2006, with a score of 0:13. The team is made up almost exclusively of fans, and currently (2021) several players play in the Italian third division (Serie C).
The national team has only won once: On April 29, 2004, under the direction of Giampaolo Mazza, the Liechtenstein team was defeated 1-0 in a friendly match. The statistics also reflect draws against Liechtenstein, Latvia, Estonia and Turkey. On the other hand, there are 83 losses. In the FIFA world ranking for February 2022, the San Marino team is ranked 210th and therefore last, with 780.33 points.
Baseball
Baseball is also well known in the Republic of San Marino, to the point that the San Marino National Baseball Team has participated twice in the European Championships, placing fifth in 1971 and sixth in 1985. The country also has its own Softball federation and the city of San Marino is also the headquarters of the San Marino Baseball Club, which participates in the Italian baseball championship with excellent results, playing in the A1 series.
He has won the Italian baseball series four times, in 2008, 2011, 2012 and 2013, as well as the Italian Cup twice. Thanks to a special rule, the team permanently participates in the European Cup (a competition reserved for the winners of the different national championships) as the sole representative of their country, even if they play in a foreign league.
The rule also applied when the team, after relegation, played in the A2 series. In this last competition, the San Marino club has triumphed three times, achieving the feat of taking the title of European champion in the shadow of the Titan. The main sports facility used for baseball is the Serravalle Baseball Stadium (Stadio di baseball di Serravalle), with a capacity of 1,500 spectators.
Postal services
Poste San Marino is the public entity in charge of managing the postal service in the Republic of San Marino. The company reports to the Secretary of State for Labour, Cooperation and Posts.
For postal correspondence sent from abroad, the Republic of San Marino uses an Italian postal code, conventionally adopted as if the post offices of the Republic were agencies of the Italian province of Rimini, and in particular of the IX road.
For internal correspondence, the San Marino postal administration has prepared internal codes composed of an alphabetic character followed by a numeric character. These codes are practically useless, especially since 1997, when the revision of the postal codification of the new Italian provinces established in 1992 led to the suppression of the single code assigned to the Republic, 47031 (belonging to the province of Forlì and the highway III of Cesena) and its replacement by specific codes for each post office in the Republic
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