$Unique_ID{COW03057} $Pretitle{437} $Title{San Marino Republic of San Marino} $Subtitle{} $Author{Embassy of San Marino, Washington DC} $Affiliation{Embassy of San Marino, Washington DC} $Subject{marino san degrees republic state council power arengo captains civil} $Date{1990} $Log{} Country: San Marino Book: Republic of San Marino Author: Embassy of San Marino, Washington DC Affiliation: Embassy of San Marino, Washington DC Date: 1990 Republic of San Marino Physical Geography The territory of San Marino (61 sq.km) is mostly hill country, roughly square-shaped with Mount Titano in the centre (lat. 43 degrees, 56', 06" - long. est of Greenwich 12 degrees, 26', 56" - 750 metres high and 10 km as the crow flies from the Adriatic Coast). It borders on two Italian regions, Emilia-Romagna to the north-west and Marche-Montefeltro to the south-west. Climate The climate is temperate without extreme heat in summer or cold in winter (the average yearly temperature is +16 degrees cent.; winter temperature ranges from +10 degrees to -2 degrees rarely descending to -6 degrees; spring temperature from +12 degrees to +24 degrees; sommer temperature ranges from +20 degrees to +30 degrees, rately reaching the maximum of +35 degrees; autumn temperature ranges from +20 degrees to +10 degrees. The sky is mostly clear with occasional brief showers. There is little snow except during some winters. The air is very clean and healthy typical of low mountain and hill country and influenced by sea breezes. Economic Geography San Marino has no mineral resources, 65% of its surface is covered by cultivated areas, woods and pine forests. In the past the modest economy was based on agriculture, dairy-farming and quarrying of stone, but over the last few decades there has been a considerable development of light industry and tourism. Agricultural products are wheat, barley, maize, wine, olive-oil and market-gardening produce. Livestock includes oxen pigs, sheep and horses. Industry and handicrafts include cement, synthetic rubber, leather, paint, ceramic tiling, textiles and ready-made garments, furniture, artistic ceramics, stone, metal and wood handicrafts, candies etc. Population San Marino has a total population of 21971 inhabitants divided up as follows: the capital of the same name 4201; Serravalle 6941; Borgo Maggiore 4341, Faetano 750; Domagnano 1840; Chiesanuova 712; Acquaviva 1148; Fiorentino 1477; Montegiardino 561 - (30.12.1985). A Brief History The Republic of San Marino was founded as a small free community at odds with the social institutions of the late Roman Empire from which it sought to isolate itself up on Mount Titano. Legend has it that in 301 A.D. a Dalmatian refugee, stone cutter, by the name of Marino fled to Mount Titano to escape persecution by Emperor Diocletian. Over-looked and forgotten all through the period of decadence of the Roman Empire and the successive barbarian invasions, the community of San Marino lived in peace and developed its democratic institutions. It was governed by an assembly of family heads called the Arengo presided over by a Rector elected by the Arengo members in addition to the Rector and finally in 1243 the first two "pro tempore" Consuls were elected. From then on to this days there has been an uninterrupted series of supreme governors of the Republic each pair succeeding the other every six months. In 1253 the first republican statutes were already in existance. They are still in force today with very little modification. In the meantime the Arengo of family heads had delegated administrative and legislative power to a representative assembly of 60 members called the Grand General Council. During the Middle Ages San Marino succeeded in maintaining its independence along with its free democratic institutions. Public administration and defence were ever better organized to thwart the dangerous threats of tyrants far and near. The Republic of San Marino has twice been occupied by military forces, but only for a few months at a time: in 1503 by Caesar Borgia, called Valentino, and in 1739 by Cardinal Giulio Alberoni. Loyal allies helped to thwart Borgia's aggression, while in the case of Cardinal Alberoni civil disobedience was used to protest against this abuse of power and clandestine messages were sent to obtain justice from the Pope, who recognized San Marino's rights and restored the state of independence. In 1797 Napoleon offered gifts and friendship to San Marino and expressed the wish to extend its territorial boundaries.. The people of San Marino were very grateful and honoured by such generosity, but refused with instinctive wisdom to enlarge their territory, satisfied as they were with the "status quo". In the year 1861, Abraham Lincoln showed his friendship and sympathy for San Marino when writing among other things to the Captains Regent "...Although your dominion is small, nevertheless your State is one of the most honoured throughout history...". San Marino boasts an exceptional tradition of hospitality. This free country has never refused asylum or help to those persecuted by misfortune or tyranny, whatever their condition or ideas. We will here mention two of the many examples that could be quoted: in 1849, when Giuseppe Garibaldi found himself surrounded by three enemy armies after the fall of the Roman Republic, he found unexpected safety for himself and his surviving companions in San Marino. During the last World War, San Marino took in over 100,000 refugees. Today the Republic is independent, democratic and neutral, and although it continues to live faithful to ancient traditions it is becoming ever more responsive to the call of progress. The Political Administrative System The historic institution of the Arengo that was originally an assembly of family heads, as we have already seen, delegated its authority to the Grand General Council; today, the Arengo is the electoral body. At the Arengo meeting, usually convoked twice a year (the Sunday after the investiture of the Captains Regent), the citizens of San Marino have the right to present proposals and requests of public interest to the Grand General Council. Legislative power is exercised by the Grand General Council composed of 60 members which is elected by the population every five years. In particular it approves the budget and nominates the Captains Regent, Heads of State and of the Executive, who have a mandate of power for six months (the investiture ceremony of the Captains Regent takes place on 1st April and 1st October every year). Executive power is exercised by the State Congress, composed of three secretaries (Secretary of State for Foreign and political Affairs - Secretary of State for Home Affairs - Secretary of State for Finance and Budget) and seven Deputies, heads of the following Departments: Education, Culture and Civil Rights - Territory, Environment and Agriculture - Health and Social Security - Trade, Tourism and Sport - Industry and Handicrafts - Employment and Co-operation, Relations with the State Autonomous Administrations Communication, Transport and Relations with the Castles Committees. The territory of San Marino is divided into nine "Castles" which correspond to the old parishes of the Republic. Every Castle is presided over by a Castle Captain and an Auxiliary Council, which remain in power for 2 year. The Council of Twelve, elected by the Grand General Council for the whole duration of the legislature, is a jurisdictional body which has the power to authorize the sale and transfer of dowry possessions by the wife and also grants permission for the sale of properties in the territory of San Marino to foreigners; it also functions as a Supreme Court of Appeal. Two Government Inspectors represent the State legally in financial and patrimonial questions. Police and Military Forces Although the Republic of San Marino is a neutral State it does possess combined Voluntary Military Forces which stand for state independence (there is no obligatory military service, however all citizens between the ages of 16 and 55 years may be called up, under certain circumstances, to defend the State). The existing corps are: The Territorial Army which participates in official ceremonies and collaborates with the police on certain occasions. The Guard of Honour also called the Noble Guard, is a special decorative corps of guards for the Captains Regent and the Gran General Council. The Fortification Guards are in charge of San Marino artillery and are on duty at the Government Palace and at the frontier guard posts. The Gendarmerie is the police corps in charge of law and order in the country. For historic and social reasons it is composed of recruits enrolled from the Italian Republic. For what concerns public order, the Gendarmerie depends directly upon the Captains Regent, while in the enforcement of the law it is under the direction of the Magistracy. The Local Police Force is composed of recruits from the Republic of San Marino. It exercises control in the field of commerce, tourism, rationing and traffic. The Judicial System For historic and social reasons, the administration of justice in San Marino is entrusted to foreign executives with the exception of the Justice of the Peace, who is by Statute, of San Marino nationality, and is competent to judge minor civil suits. The chief organs of the magistracy of the Republic of San Marino are: The Law Commissioner assisted by an Assistant Law Commissioner deals with civil and criminal suits which will not incur over three years imprisonment (in which case he acts as examining magistrate). The Criminal Judge of the Primary Court of Claims deals with criminal suits which are above the competence of the Law Commissioner; The Two Judges of the Court of Appeal deal with appeal cases, whether civil or criminal; The Council of Twelve, as has already been mentioned, has authority as a Supreme Court of Appeal (there is no third instance trial in criminal procedure). From 1st January, 1975, the new Criminal Code has been in force; civil questions are regulated by the Common Law, the XVIIth century Statutes and further modifying laws added since. During the last forty years there has been particular development of social legislation. Official Religion Roman Catholic.