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The Most Serene Republic of San Marino (Italian: Serenissima Repubblica di San Marino) is a country in the Apennine Mountains. It is an enclave, completely surrounded by Italy. One of the European microstates, San Marino is the fifth-smallest sovereign state in the world both by area and by population. It has the smallest population of all the members of the Council of Europe.
According to tradition, San Marino is the oldest constitutional republic in the world still existing: it was founded in the year 301 by Marinus of Rab, a Christian stonemason fleeing the religious persecution of Roman Emperor Diocletian. San Marino has the oldest written constitution still in effect, dating back to 1600.
According to tradition, Marino left the Adriatic island of Rab (Italian: Arbe) 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 Monte 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 301.
By the mid-5th century, 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.
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 unification. In memory of this support, Giuseppe Garibaldi accepted the wish of San Marino not to be incorporated into the new Italian state.
During World War II San Marino was able to officially remain neutral. Axis forces retreated through the country and were pursued by the American and British forces. The Allied troops left the country a few weeks later.
The head of state is a committee (council) of two captains-regent. San Marino also holds the record for the world's first democratically-elected communist government, which held office between 1945 and 1957.
San Marino was the world's smallest republic from 301 to 1968, until Nauru gained independence.
San Marino became a member of the Council of Europe in 1988 and of the United Nations in 1992. It is not a member of the European Union.
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 ("Captains Regent") 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.
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