San Marino: Background & Geography
| Introduction | San Marino |
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Background:
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The third smallest state in Europe (after the Holy See and Monaco) also claims to be the world's oldest republic. According to tradition, it was founded by a Christian stonemason named Marinus in 301 A.D. San Marino's foreign policy is aligned with that of Italy. Social and political trends in the republic also track closely with those of its larger neighbor. |
| Geography | San Marino |
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Location:
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Southern Europe, an enclave in central Italy |
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Geographic coordinates:
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43 46 N, 12 25 E |
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Map references:
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Europe |
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Area:
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total: 61.2 sq km
water: 0 sq km land: 61.2 sq km |
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Area - comparative:
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about 0.3 times the size of Washington, DC |
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Land boundaries:
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total: 39 km
border countries: Italy 39 km |
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Coastline:
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0 km (landlocked) |
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Maritime claims - as described in UNCLOS 1982 (see Notes and Definitions):
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none (landlocked) |
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Climate:
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Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers |
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Terrain:
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rugged mountains |
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Elevation extremes:
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lowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 m
highest point: Monte Titano 755 m |
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Natural resources:
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building stone |
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Land use:
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arable land: 16.67%
permanent crops: 0% other: 83.33% (1998 est.) |
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Irrigated land:
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NA sq km |
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Natural hazards:
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NA |
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Environment - current issues:
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NA |
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Environment - international agreements:
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party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification
signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution |
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Geography - note:
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landlocked; smallest independent state in Europe after the Holy See and Monaco; dominated by the Apennines |