19 interesting facts about San Marino

San Marino — a dwarf European state, well-fed, calm and prosperous. Despite the fact that it is difficult to find it on the political map of the world without a magnifying glass, San Marino boasts an ancient and rich history, and most of the locals are very patriotic and they do not hide the fact that they are proud of their country.

Interesting facts about San Marino

1. The Republic of San Marino, like the Vatican, is surrounded on all sides by Italy (interesting facts about the Vatican).
2. San Marino — the oldest of all European states.
3. The area of ​​the whole country does not exceed 61 square kilometers.
4. Despite the proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and warm summers, on winter nights the temperature here can drop to minus 4-6 degrees.
5. The total length of all highways in San Marino does not exceed 220 kilometers.
6. About 33,000 people live in San Marino.
7. The country does not issue its own money, preferring to use the euro, which has the status of an official currency here.
8. There are two heads of state in San Marino — these are captain-regents elected by the people, who replace each other in office every six months during their service life.
9. In total, there are about 30 settlements in San Marino.
10. Until 1987, San Marino did not have a single TV channel of its own, since the agreement concluded with Italy forbade the republic from having its own television center or radio station (interesting facts about Italy).
11. The official language of San Marino is Italian, although many here also speak English.
12. Despite the fact that Italy sided with Germany during the Second World War, the Republic of San Marino remained neutral.
13. About a quarter of all citizens of San Marino live outside their home country.
14. More than 90% of the population of the republic professes Catholicism.
15. To obtain citizenship of San Marino, you must live in this country for at least less than thirty years old.
16. Unlike most other dwarf states, San Marino has its own army. True, it includes only about a hundred people.
17. This country has its own calendar, counting time from the date of the founding of the republic. The local reckoning is now in the 17th century.
18. San Marino’s constitution was adopted more than 16 centuries ago.
19. About a quarter of the state budget is annually replenished by issuing and selling local postage stamps.