GEOGRAPHY
San Marino is an enclave of Italy. It lies in the eastern foothills of the central Apennines, southwest of Rimini. San Marino’s area is 23.4 square miles. The three peaks of Mount Titano (2,425 feet) make up most of the terrain. Principal streams include the Ausa, the Marano, and the San Marino.
INCEPTION AS A NATION
The region that became San Marino was originally inhabited by Italics, Illyrians, and Celts. According to legend a Christian stonecutter, Marino, settled on Mount Titano around the fourth century c. e. Within the next century an isolated sovereignty formed. San Marino expanded in 1463 when given the cities of Fiorentino, Montegiardino, and Serravalle by the pope. The next year the town of Faetano became part of the state, establishing its present-day boundaries. The Roman papacy recognized San Marino as an independent nation in 1631.
CULTURAL IDENTITY
San Marino is completely surrounded by Italy and consequently has strong cultural and ethnic ties to it. Yet San Marino also has a long tradition of independence, which is due to its long legacy of political autonomy, and the Sammarinese, as they call themselves, have a strong sense of national identity that dates to the founding of the nation in 301 c. e. The commune has been able to remain independent despite encroachments by neighboring bishops and lords largely because of its isolation and its mountain fortresses. San Marinians are proud of their long history as a republic and are today in the forefront of European initiatives to promote democracy in developing countries all over the world. Many international conferences are held there.
Further Reading_
J. Theodore Bent. A Freak of Freedom: Or The Republic of San Marino (Port Washington, N. Y.: Kennikat, 1970).
Thomas Eccardt. Secrets of the Seven Smallest States of Europe: Andorra, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City (New York: Hippocrene, 2004).
World History
