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San Marino |
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San Marino, city, United StatesSan Marino (săn mərē`nō), residential city (1990 pop. 12,959), Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1913. Of interest is the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens.San Marino, country, EuropeSan Marino (sän märē`nō), officially Republic of San Marino, republic (2005 est. pop. 28,900), 24 sq mi (62 sq km), in the Apennines near the Adriatic Sea, SW of Rimini, N central Italy. It is the world's smallest republic and claims to be Europe's oldest existing state. The capital is San Marino (1988 est. pop. 4,140); Serravalle is the only other town.People, Economy, and GovernmentVirtually all of the republic's inhabitants speak Italian and are Roman Catholic. About half of San Marino citizens are residents abroad, mainly in Italy, the United States, and France. Of note in San Marino are the Basilica of Santo Marino; towers (14th–16th cent.) built on each of the three peaks of Mt. Titano; the Gothic government house; and several museums of art. There is a bust of Abraham Lincoln, who in 1861 accepted the honorary citizenship of the republic. San Marino's manufactures include building materials, textiles and wearing apparel, ceramics, electronics, and food products. Tourism, however, is the country's economic mainstay, and banking is also important. The sale of postage stamps and duty-free consumer goods are also sources of income. Agricultural products include wheat and other grains, fruit, cheese, and olives. Cattle and hogs are raised. Building stone, textiles, leather goods, wine, and ceramics are exported. The country imports many manufactured goods and much of its food, mostly from Italy. The republic receives an annual subsidy from Italy in return for having renounced certain rights, such as establishing a broadcasting station and growing tobacco. Although San Marino mints its own coins, Italian and Vatican City currency is in general use. There are highway and rail connections with Italy. Legislative power in San Marino is vested in the popularly elected grand council (Consiglio Grande e Generale), which is made up of 60 members elected to five-year terms; every six months the council appoints two regents (Capitani Reggenti), who in conjunction with the 10-member council of state form the executive. HistoryAccording to tradition, Marino, a Christian stonecutter from Dalmatia, took refuge (early 4th cent.) on Mt. Titano (2,300 ft/701 m), the chief geographical feature of present-day San Marino. By the mid-5th cent., a community was formed; because of its relatively inaccessible location and its poverty, it has succeeded, with a few brief interruptions, in maintaining its independence. In 1631 its independence was recognized by the papacy. In 1849, San Marino gave refuge to Garibaldi, the Italian patriot and soldier. Italy and San Marino signed a treaty of friendship and economic cooperation in 1862 (renewed and expanded several times). Volunteers from San Marino served with the Italians in World Wars I and II; Allied aircraft bombed the republic in 1944. Following a period of Communist rule (1947–57), a coalition of Christian Democrats and Social Democrats came to power. In 1973, the Social Democrats left the coalition and were replaced by the Socialists and the tiny Movement for Statutory Liberties. In 1960 women were given the right to vote, and in 1973 they were granted the right to hold public office. A left-wing coalition led by the Communists ruled from 1978 to 1986, at which time the Communists joined with the Christian Democrats to form a new government. The coalition was reelected in 1988. The Communist party changed its name in 1990 to the Democratic Progressive party and continued in coalition with the Christian Democrats. In 1992, the Christian Democrats formed a new coalition with the Socialists; they remained in power following the 1993 and 1998 elections. San Marino became a member of the United Nations in 1992. San Marinoofficially Republic of San MarinoCountry, central Italian peninsula, southern Europe. It is located near the Adriatic Sea but is surrounded by Italy. Area: 24 sq mi (61 sq km). Population (2005 est.): 30,100. Capital: San Marino. Most of the people are Sammarinesi with a significant minority of Italians. Language: Italian (official). Religion: Christianity (predominantly Roman Catholic). Currency: euro. San Marino has an irregular rectangular form with a maximum length of 8 mi (13 km). It is crossed by streams that flow into the Adriatic Sea and is dominated by Mount Titano (2,424 ft [739 m]), on which the capital, the town of San Marino, is located, surrounded by triple walls. The economy is based on private enterprise and includes tourism, commerce, agriculture, crafts, and fine printing, particularly of postage stamps. San Marino is a republic with one legislative house; its heads of state and government are two captains-regent. According to tradition, it was founded in the early 4th century AD by St. Marinus. By the 12th century it had developed into a commune and remained independent despite challenges from neighbouring rulers, including the Malatesta family in nearby Rimini. San Marino survived the Renaissance as a relic of the self-governing Italian city-state and remained an independent republic after the unification of Italy in 1861–70. It is one of the smallest republics in the world and may be the oldest one in Europe. At the beginning of the 21st century, its citizens enjoyed a high standard of living.San MarinoCity (pop., 2000: 12,945), southwestern California, U.S. It is east of Los Angeles and south of Pasadena. In 1903 railroad magnate Henry E. Huntington (1850–1927) purchased the San Marino Ranch and founded the community, which was incorporated in 1913. His estate, deeded to the public, includes the Huntington Library (with rare English and American books and manuscripts), Art Gallery (where Thomas Gainsborough's Blue Boy is displayed), and Botanical Gardens. San Marino a republic in S central Europe in the Apennines, forming an enclave in Italy: the smallest republic in Europe, according to tradition founded by St Marinus in the 4th century. Official language: Italian. Religion: Roman Catholic majority. Currency: euro. Capital: San Marino. Pop.: 28 000 (2003 est.). Area: 62 sq. km (24 sq. miles) How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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