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$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 po