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The Most Serene Republic of San Marino (Italian: Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino) is one of the smallest nations in the world. Located in southern Europe, it is an enclave surrounded by Italy, and is one of the European microstates. San Marino is the oldest constitutional republic in the world still in existence today.http://www.loc.gov/law/guide/sanmarino.html It was founded in A.D. 301 by Marinus from Rab, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian.

History

According to legend, Marino left the island of Rab with his lifelong friend Leo and went to the town of Rimini as a stone worker. After persecution because of his Christian sermons, he escaped to the nearby Mt. Titano, where he built a small church and thus founded what is now the city and the state of San Marino. The official date of foundation of the Republic is 3 September AD 301.

During the early phase of the Italian unification process of the 19th century, San Marino served as a haven of refuge for numerous persons who were persecuted because of their support for Italian unity. In memory of this support, the leader of the newly unified Italy accepted the wish of San Marino not to be incorporated into the new Italian state.

San Marino is thought by many to be Europe's oldest existing republic. The head of state is a committee (council) of two captains-regent.

Politics

The Consiglio Grande e Generale ("Grand and General Council") is elected by popular vote every five years. This parliament selects two of its members to serve as Capitani Reggenti ("Ruling Captains") for periods of six months. The Capitani Reggenti and the cabinet form the executive branch of the government.

The Council also elects the Consiglio dei XII (Council of Twelve), which forms the judicial branch during the period of legislature of the Council.

Municipalities

San Marino is divided into the following nine municipalities, known locally as castelli or castles (sing. castello, each on a different hill, as depicted on the republic's coat of arms), that are also towns.

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "San Marino".

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