San Marino
GANG INFORMATION
PROFILE
OFFICIAL NAME:
Republic of San Marino
Geography
Area: 60 sq. km.; about one-third the size of Washington, DC.
Cities: Capital--San Marino (pop. 4,482). Other cities--Serravalle,
Borgo Maggiore, Domagnano.
Terrain: Rugged mountains.
Climate: Mediterranean; mild to cool winters; warm, sunny summers.
People
Nationality: Noun and adjective--Sammarinese.
Population (12-31-2002): 28,753
Ethnic groups: Sammarinese, Italian.
Religion: Roman Catholic.
Language: Italian.
Education: Literacy--96%.
Health: Infant mortality rate-3.3/1,000 live birth rates (2004).
Life expectancy-78.6 for men and 84.9 for women (2004).
Work force: approx 18,000.
Government
Type: Republic. Constitution: October 8, 1600, electoral law of
1926 and manuscript of rights (1974) serve some of the functions
of the Constitution.
Branches: Executive--Captains Regent (co-chiefs of state), Congress
of State (cabinet) elected by the Great and General Council, Secretary
of State for Foreign and Political Affairs (head of government).
Legislative--unicameral parliament: 60-member Great and General
Council. Judicial--Council of Twelve.
Administrative divisions: 9 municipalities.
Political parties: Christian Democratic Party, Democratic Progressive
Party, San Marino Socialist Party, National Alliance, Popular
Alliance, Communist Refoundation.
Suffrage: Universal over 18.
Economy
GDP (2002): Euros 935 million.
Per capita income (2002 est): Euros 24,054.
GDP growth (2004 est): 2%.
Natural resources: Building stone.
Agriculture: Products--wheat, grapes, maize, olives, cattle, pigs,
horses, meat, cheese, hides.
Industry: Types--tourism, textiles, electronics, ceramics, cement,
wine.
Trade: Exports—Euros 1,705 million (2001). 85% to Italy.
Imports—Euros 1,744 million (2001) manufactured goods, food.
Partners--Italy, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, South America,
China, Taiwan.
PEOPLE AND HISTORY
The population of San Marino is comprised of native Sammarinese
and Italian citizens. Crop farming, sheep farming, and the working
of stone from the quarries formed the early backbone of San Marino's
economy. It has no mineral resources, and today most of the land
is cultivated or covered by woods.
According to tradition, San Marino was founded in AD 301 when
a Christian stonemason named Marinus the Dalmatian fled to the
island of Arbe to escape the anti-Christian Roman Emperor Diocletian.
Marinus hid on the peak of Mount Titano and founded a small community
of people following their Christian beliefs. It is certain that
the area had been inhabited since prehistoric times, although
evidence of existence on Mount Titano only dates back to the Middle
Ages. In memory of the stonecutter, the land was renamed "Land
of San Marino" and was finally changed to its present-day
name, "Republic of San Marino."
The original government structure was composed of a self-governed
assembly known as the Arengo, which consisted of the heads of
each family. In 1243, the positions of Captains Regent (Capitani
Reggenti) were established to be the joint heads of state.
The land area of San Marino consisted only of Mount Titano until
1463, at which time the republic entered into an alliance against
Sigismondo Pandolfo Malatesta, Lord of Rimini, who was later defeated.
As a result, Pope Pius II Piccolomini gave San Marino the towns
of Fiorentino, Montegiardino, and Serravalle. Later that year,
the town of Faetano joined the republic on its own accord. Since
then, the size of San Marino has remained unchanged.
San Marino has been occupied by foreign militaries twice in its
history, both for only short periods of time. In 1503, Cesare
Borgia, known as Valentino, occupied the republic until his death
several months later. In 1739, Cardinal Alberoni used military
force to occupy the country. Civil disobedience was used to protest
his occupation, and clandestine notes sent to the Pope to obtain
justice were answered by the Pope's recognition of San Marino's
rights and restoration of San Marino’s independence.
GOVERNMENT
The Arengo, initially formed with the heads of each family, relinquished
its power to the Great and General Council. In 1243, the first
two Captains Regent were nominated by the Council, and this method
of nomination is still in use today. The Council is composed of
60 members who are elected every 5 years under a proportional
representation system in all nine administrative districts. These
districts (Townships) correspond to the old parishes of the Republic,
and each one is ruled by a Council, which is chaired by a Captain
elected every 5 years. The Great and General Council approves
the budget, as well as the nominations of Captains Regent and
heads of the Executive.
Every 6 months, the Council elects two Captains Regent to be
the heads of state. The Regents are chosen from opposing parties
so they can keep an eye on each other. They serve a 6-month term.
The investiture of the Captains Regent takes place on April 1
and October 1 in every year. Once this term is over, citizens
have 3 days in which to file complaints about the previous Regents'
activities. If they warrant it, judicial proceedings against the
former head(s) of state can be initiated.
The State Congress, composed of 10 Secretaries, wields executive
power. The 10 Secretaries are (1) Secretary of State for Foreign
and Political Affairs; (2) Secretary of State for Internal Affairs
and Civil Defense; (3) Secretary of State for Finance, Budget
and Programming, Information and Relations with the State Philatelic
and Numismatic Office; (4) Secretary of State for Education, Culture,
University and Justice; (5) Secretary of State for Territory,
Environment and Agriculture; (6) Secretary of State for Health
and Social Security; (7) Secretary of State for Trade and Relations
with the Town Council; (8) Secretary of State for Communication,
Transport, Relations with the Azienda Autonoma di Stato for Services,
Tourism, and Sport; (9) Secretary of State for Industry and Crafts;
and (10) Secretary of State for Labor and Cooperation.
The Great and General Council elects the Council of Twelve for
the duration of the Legislature and serves a jurisdictional body
that also acts as a third instance Court of Appeals. Two government
inspectors represent the State in financial and patrimonial questions.
The Legislative body consists of the Great and General Council,
the parliament, and a unicameral Chamber. The members of parliament
are usually elected every five years and are in charge of legislation,
justice, and the administration of jurisdiction. In addition,
they are tasked with electing the Captains Regent, the State Congress,
the Council of Twelve, the Advising Commission, and the Government
Unions once the Council nominates them. Parliament also has the
power to ratify contracts with other countries. The parliament
is divided into five different Advising Commissions consisting
of 15 councils which examine, propose, and discuss the implementation
of new laws that are on being submitted to the Great and General
Council.
The judicial system of San Marino is entrusted to foreign executives,
both for historical and social reasons. The only native judges
are the Justices of the Peace, who only handle civil cases where
sums involved do not exceed 25 million lire. The Council of Twelve
serves as an appeals court in the third instance.
Principal Government Officials
Captains Regent--Gian Franco Terenzi and Loris Francini (from
April 1, 2006-September 31, 2006)
Secretary of State for Foreign and Political Affairs--Fabio Berardi
San Marino has honorary Consulates General in Washington, DC
and New York and honorary Consulates in Detroit and Honolulu.
The honorary Consulate General in Washington, DC is located at
1899 L Street NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20036.
The Republic of San Marino's Web Site provides information on
politics, trade, and events in San Marino.
POLITICAL CONDITIONS
San Marino is a multi-party democratic republic. The three main
parties are the Democratic Christian Party of San Marino (PDCS),
the Socialist Party of San Marino (PSS), and the Progressive Democratic
Party of San Marino (PPDS), in addition to several other smaller
parties. Due to the small size and low population of San Marino,
it is difficult for any party to gain a pure majority, and most
of the time the government is run by a coalition. Following a
period of political instability after the June 2001 elections,
in December 2003 the three largest parties formed a coalition
government with a view to reforming the electoral law and subsequently
calling for early elections.
Because tourism accounts for more than 50% of the economic sector,
the government relies not only on taxes and customs for revenue
but also the sale of coins and postage stamps to collectors throughout
the world. In addition, the Italian Government pays San Marino
an annual budget subsidy provided under the terms of the Basic
Treaty with Italy. In recent years banking has also become an
important economic activity.
Harmonization of statutes and policies with the EU is a major
domestic and foreign policy priority of the republic. Another
priority issue will be to increase the transparency and efficiency
in parliament and in relations among parliament, cabinet, and
the Captains Regent.
ECONOMY
San Marino's per capita GNP in 2002 stood at 24,054 Euros with
more than 50% coming from the tourism industry, which draws about
3 million people annually. One of the greatest sources of income
from tourism comes from the sale of historic coins and stamps.
In 1894, San Marino issued its first commemorative stamps, which
produced government revenue for the republic. All 10 of the Post
Offices of San Marino sell these stamps and collectable coins,
including "Legal Tender Gold Coins."
Traditional economic activities in San Marino were food crops,
sheep farming, and stone quarrying. Today farming activities focus
on grain, vines, and orchards, as well as animal husbandry (cattle
and swine). Besides the tourism industry, San Marino makes most
of its income from the banking industry and from the manufacture
and export of ceramics, tiles, furniture, clothing, paints, fabrics,
and spirits/wines. The per capita level of output and standard
of living in San Marino are comparable to those of Italy. In addition,
San Marino maintains the lowest unemployment rate in Europe and
no national debt.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
San Marino is an active player in the international community.
Currently, the Republic has diplomatic relations with over 70
countries. Italy is the only country represented by an ambassador
resident in San Marino. The Papal Nuncio, based in Rome, is the
dean of San Marino’s diplomatic corps.
San Marino is a full member of the United Nations, International
Court of Justice, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), World
Health Organization (WHO), World Tourism Organization (WTO), Council
of Europe, International Red Cross Organization, and the International
Institution for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIIT), among
others. It also cooperates with UNICEF and the United Nations
High Commission for Refugees and has official relations with the
European Union. From May 10 until November 6, 1990, San Marino
held the semi-annual presidency of the Committee of Ministers
of the Council of Europe, headquartered in Strasbourg, France.
U.S.-SAN MARINO RELATIONS
The United States and San Marino enjoy friendly diplomatic relations.
San Marino consistently supports U.S. foreign policy positions,
as well as U.S. candidates to international organizations. The
two countries are on excellent terms. The United States Consul
General in Florence also serves as the U.S. diplomatic representative
to San Marino. For consular purposes, the republic is within the
jurisdiction of the Florence consular district. Consulate officials
regularly visit San Marino to carry out diplomatic demarches,
represent U.S. interests, and administer consular services.
Principal U.S. Official
U.S. Consul General--Nora Dempsey
The U.S. Consulate General is at Lungarno Amerigo Vespucci, 38,
50123 Firenze, Italy (tel. (39) (055) 226-951).
TRAVEL AND BUSINESS INFORMATION
The U.S. Department of State's Consular Information Program provides
Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings, and Public Announcements.
Consular Information Sheets exist for all countries and include
information on entry requirements, currency regulations, health
conditions, areas of instability, crime and security, political
disturbances, and the addresses of the U.S. posts in the country.
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends
that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Public Announcements
are issued as a means to disseminate information quickly about
terrorist threats and other relatively short-term conditions overseas
that pose significant risks to the security of American travelers.
Free copies of this information are available by calling the Bureau
of Consular Affairs at 202-647-5225 or via the fax-on-demand system:
202-647-3000. Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings
also are available on the Consular Affairs Internet home page:
http://travel.state.gov. Consular Affairs Tips for Travelers publication
series, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning
a safe trip abroad, are on the Internet and hard copies can be
purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government
Printing Office, telephone: 202-512-1800; fax 202-512-2250.
Emergency information concerning Americans traveling abroad may
be obtained from the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at (202)
647-5225. For after-hours emergencies, Sundays and holidays, call
202-647-4000.
The National Passport Information Center (NPIC) is the U.S. Department
of State's single, centralized public contact center for U.S.
passport information. Telephone: 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778).
Customer service representatives and operators for TDD/TTY are
available Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Time,
excluding federal holidays.
Travelers can check the latest health information with the U.S.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia.
A hotline at 877-FYI-TRIP (877-394-8747) and a web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/index.htm
give the most recent health advisories, immunization recommendations
or requirements, and advice on food and drinking water safety
for regions and countries. A booklet entitled Health Information
for International Travel (HHS publication number CDC-95-8280)
is available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington,
DC 20402, tel. (202) 512-1800.
Information on travel conditions, visa requirements, currency
and customs regulations, legal holidays, and other items of interest
to travelers also may be obtained before your departure from a
country's embassy and/or consulates in the U.S. (for this country,
see "Principal Government Officials" listing in this
publication).
U.S. citizens who are long-term visitors or traveling in dangerous
areas are encouraged to register their travel via the State Department’s
travel registration web site at https://travelregistration.state.gov
or at the Consular section of the U.S. embassy upon arrival in
a country by filling out a short form and sending in a copy of
their passports. This may help family members contact you in case
of an emergency.
Further Electronic Information
Department of State Web Site. Available on the Internet at http://www.state.gov,
the Department of State web site provides timely, global access
to official U.S. foreign policy information, including Background
Notes and daily press briefings along with the directory of key
officers of Foreign Service posts and more.
Export.gov provides a portal to all export-related assistance
and market information offered by the federal government and provides
trade leads, free export counseling, help with the export process,
and more.
STAT-USA/Internet, a service of the U.S. Department of Commerce,
provides authoritative economic, business, and international trade
information from the Federal government. The site includes current
and historical trade-related releases, international market research,
trade opportunities, and country analysis and provides access
to the National Trade Data Bank.
